Schizophrenia in Children and Adolescents / Edition 1

by Helmut Remschmidt

Overview

Although schizophrenia is very difficult to diagnose in the young, early treatment is now thought to improve outcome. Recent research suggests that early onset schizophrenia has developmental precursors, making it difficult to distinguish from a number of other developmental disorders. In this timely book, an international team of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and psychologists give an up-to-date review of the latest findings in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents. It gives a comprehensive account of the current state of knowledge and the therapeutic options available to clinicians. The authors examine the disorder from developmental and clinical perspectives, focusing on diagnosis, etiology, therapy, and rehabilitation. This volume is essential reading for all mental health professionals who treat young people with schizophrenia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521794282
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/23/2000
Series:	Cambridge Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.89(w) x 9.76(h) x 0.91(d)

About the Author

Remschmidt, Helmut (Philipps Univ of Marburg)

Table of Contents

Preface Helmut Remschmidt; 1. Childhood psychosis and schizophrenia: a historical review William Parry-Jones; 2. Definition and classification Helmut Remschmidt; 3. Epidemiology of early onset schizophrenia Christopher Gillberg; 4. Childhood schizophrenia: developmental aspects Fred R. Volkmar; 5. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis Chris Hollis; 6. Genetic aspects Jane Scourfield and Peter McGuffin; 7. Children with schizophrenia: a neurobehavioral perspective Robert F. Asarnow and Canan Karatekin; 8. Psychosocial factors: the social context of child and adolescent onset schizophrenia Joan R. Asarnow, Martha C. Tompson and Michael J. Goldstein; 9. Treatment and rehabilitation Helmut Remschmidt, Matthias Martin, Klaus Hennighausen and Eberhard Schulz; 10. Course and prognosis Sally Nicola Merry and John Scott Werry; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Marc Sandrolini, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This collection of essays about schizophrenia in childhood and adolescence covers a variety of topics on the condition, including current diagnostic criteria and treatment.
Purpose: The editor states that he wishes "to give a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and therapeutic options" of childhood and adolescent schizophrenia. This objective is highly worthwhile, as this is a rare and confusing disorder and one that has been subject to numerous nosological debates over the past century. The editor and contributing authors achieve the book's objective admirably, with in-depth and well documented overviews of the various aspects of the illness.
Audience: According to the editor, this book is targeted to "all mental health professionals who treat young people with schizophrenia." However, the overall tone is strongly scientific and medical, making the book more appropriate for physicians and psychologists. The editor is authoritative on this subject. He provides a comprehensive and lucid chapter on treatment options and seems quite aware of recent advances in this area. He has also gathered chapters from an impressive collection of well-known researchers in the U.S. and Europe.
Features: The ten chapters address the range of concerns about this condition and include a historical overview, current diagnostic criteria, neurobiological and genetic aspects, and treatment. The book is comprehensive in its overview of current scientific knowledge. It is also valuable as a handy reference, as the small size and many charts and tables allow quick access to information on diagnosis and treatment.
Assessment: I found the book richly rewarding and quite valuable. Written in a clear and accessible manner, it is based on a broad array of current and well-documented scientific data. Most of the reading materials I have seen on the topic have been brief chapters in psychiatric textbooks or broad but shallow reviews in professional journals. I highly recommend this book.

Doody's Review Service

"...an encouraging and stimulating book...This book will take its place as a major guide to practitioners in its important area of work for the next few years." Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

"I found the book richly rewarding and quite valuable. Written in a clear and accessible manner, it is based on a broad array of current and well-documented scientific data. I highly recommend this book." DOODY Publishing, Inc., Marc Sandrolini, MD

"This is an excellent and very readable and absorbing book..." Psychological Medicine

From the Publisher

4 Stars! from Doody