SCHIZOPHRENIA

Gur R. and A Johnson (2006) If your Adolescent has Schizophrenia New York: Oxford University Press

Continually in the popular media, "schizophrenia" as a term and definition is continually misused. Some of the brightest and talented observers err in their statement about the definition. Schizophrenia is not about SPLIT OR MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES.It may have been that Hollywood years ago introduced the wrong term for this pathology. Thus in common parlance schizophrenia is misused over and over again. If anything this book is of value because in plain English, schizophrenia is used correctly.

It means fragmented mind(thoughts are not necessarily connected) Thus, you can see why popular culture misses the meaning.

It also is defined by delusions (false or irrational beliefs) and hallucinations (false perceptions like hearing voices, seeing objects, tasting something others don't taste or a false smell or touch.) Further, they usually talk less, have little to say that  means anything and lose motivation.

That's it. No multiple personalities occur. The many faces of some one means that they have a dissociative identity disorder. More information is available about that elsewhere.

There are subtypes of schizophrenia. They are:

paranoid schizophrenia- they have an unusual fear of others,

disorganized schizophrenia inappropriate behavior and thought,

catatonic schizophrenia- bodily dysfunction, may be "frozen" for hours and then wildly agitated,

schizoaffective disorder- a related type that usually accompanies bi-polars, individuals have hallucinations and or delusions while in the rapid mood swing.

There are 2 others that need to be mentioned but only partially related and they are not discussed in the book. They are: schizotypical personality ( a person with a quirky behavior and pathologically shy) and schizoids (who are very shy and do not emotionally bond with others.)

The other features of schizophrenia, is that it appears to have a strong genetic component, biochemical imbalance, come from urban areas, and are attracted to caffeine and nicotine to lift them from the fatigue side effect of both first and second generation medications. They may also self medicate with recreational drugs to reduce the agonies related to the symptoms.

If you want to see a schizophrenic in action, don't rent THE THREE FACES OF EVE, rather

buy or rent the DVD called A BEAUTIFUL MIND the  story of John Nash the Harvard professor and originator of "game theory."

The rest of the book discusses therapies, medications, support groups and organizations, a glossary and related material.

This is a book for the general public, but academic professionals in numerous fields other than psychiatry, psychology, sociology, and anthropology will enjoy it. It not only clears the cultural fog, but does so in a pleasant and readable way.