Schizophrenia (Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment)

Learn about a pioneering alternative to antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia!

In Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment, Dr. Colin A. Ross—founder of the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma—presents a new theory of the existence of a dissociative subtype of schizophrenia. Dr. Ross determines that some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have symptoms closely related to dissociative identity disorder—or multiple personality disorder—and have a history of psychological trauma. In these cases, this unprecedented book proposes that the disorder is treatable—perhaps even curable—using psychotherapy rather than drugs.

Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment will revolutionize the profession of psychology with data, arguments, and a review of previously published literature to support Dr. Ross’s theory. Traditionally, schizophrenia is considered manageable only by a lifetime of psychotropic drugs—expensive, harmful, and often ineffectual. This book offers an alternative free of damaging chemicals to improve quality of life for patients with schizophrenia whose symptoms may be trauma-based.

Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment offers specific, detailed ideas and research on:

• genetic studies showing that while there is a genetic connection, it is not prevalent enough for biology to be the only predisposing factor in all cases of schizophrenia
• a comparison of the definitions of psychosis, schizophrenia, and dissociation—from the DSM-IV-TR and other texts—to determine relationships between the three disorders
• proposed diagnostic criteria for dissociative schizophrenia—dissociative amnesia, depersonalization, the presence of two or more distinct personalities/identities, auditory hallucinations, extensive comorbidity, and severe childhood trauma
• the principles of psychotherapy for dissociative schizophrenia—when to start therapy, trauma therapy, how to establish communication with the patient, and therapeutic neutrality
• and more!

With an extensive bibliography of literatures on trauma, dissociation, and psychosis, as well as numerous tables and case studies, this volume presents a strong case for a fresh methodology in the treatment of this psychological abnormality. The theory provided by Dr. Ross brings hope for recovery to individuals with dissociative schizophrenia. This one-of-a-kind book is a must-read for psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals involved in research and/or treatment of schizophrenia. Its comprehensible text makes it useful for patients with schizophrenia and their family members as well.