Abstract

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder that starts in early life and can lead to lifelong disability. It is a major public health challenge for all cultures and all countries. Clinical practice must therefore focus on early intervention, optimal treatment, shared decision-making and long-term recovery. “By listening to patients’ experiences, alongside the latest research, we now know much more about ‘what works’,” say the authors of this fully updated fourth edition of Fast Facts: Schizophrenia. In this highly readable resource, they cover the present state of knowledge about the neurobiology, diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia, including: emerging evidence from genome-wide association studies for multiple susceptibility genes; DSM-5 diagnostic criteria plus discussion of alternative classification systems; a comprehensive review of drug and non-drug treatment strategies and how to improve adherence; a new management principles chapter that emphasizes the importance of coordinated multidisciplinary care; the latest findings of structural and functional imaging studies. With good care delivered by knowledgeable compassionate health professionals, many people will recover at least partially from their first episode of psychosis and live a fulfilling life. Written from an international perspective, Fast Facts: Schizophrenia will refresh and update family physicians, psychiatrists in training, mental health nurses and medical students – in fact, all health professionals – who need to know about the disorder and need to know it quickly.
This small book is indeed remarkable. It does offer Fast Facts about schizophrenia, and for a person who needs to know much about the disorder, and needs to know it quickly, this is the book.