Schizophrenia/Psychosis

So many had stared at John Nash, for different reasons, at different times. Now that his own stare is frozen in time, the challenge is to understand the meaning of the stares that he had received during his life.

If the models in this discussion are disseminated and used, costs will drop and patients will enjoy an improved quality of life.

“Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors are destined to repeat them.” This may be the take-home point of the APA 2015 meeting regarding schizophrenia.

Progress in identifying and effectively treating first-episode schizophrenia was marked by the simultaneous publication of a report on a 6-year study and on the 10-year follow-up of a large-scale trial.

Here is just a sample of the many great presentations on schizophrenia at this year’s meeting.

In the last 5 years, there has been an absolutely profound transformation in the ability to identify genes that contribute to autism and schizophrenia.

A recent report that argues against descriptive diagnosis in medicine is historically ill-informed and medically naive, in the opinion of this psychiatrist.

A look at a multidisciplinary team -- and its focus on meaningful recovery -- for patients with schizophrenia.

An expert discusses the clinical, biological, and genetic components of de novo mutations and autism spectrum disorders.

We present the case of a patient for whom different attending providers had markedly different interpretations. As the case unfolds, we invite you to reflect on your diagnostic understanding of each presentation.

Metabolic syndrome may be a particularly important marker of antipsychotic metabolic effects.

Identifying comorbid anxiety disorders as potential treatment targets may contribute to more positive outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. Details here.

This article focuses on auditory hallucinations, which occur in a range of psychiatric and medical disorders as well as in individuals without mental illness.

The authors review the evidence for the use of ECT and other novel neurostimulation techniques in the treatment of schizophrenia.

“Distress” hardly captures the inner world of those with severe forms of psychotic illnesses. Terms like “agony,” “torment,” and “anguish” would be much closer to the mark, for many patients.

What signs are generally regarded as negative symptoms? What etiological factors contribute to a negative symptom presentation? How to treat these symptoms? Insights here.

When acute, severe adverse effects from a pre-switch antipsychotic occurs, what strategy is recommended? Take the quiz and learn more.

“Schizophrenia” is a name, not a disease. You are about to read the life story of a remarkable man who describes how he overcame poverty, orphanhood, and schizophrenia to become an author, an LCSW, a leader in the mental health advocacy movement, and an inspiration for many others.

Despite the growing body of evidence that supports the existence of a specific epidemiological, genetic, and neurobiological relationship between OCD and schizophrenia, the association remains poorly understood. Here, a brief overview.

Because cognitive and negative symptoms have the greatest impact on overall recovery, interdisciplinary strategies that target these symptoms are necessary. This article offers details.

Genius and madness: does one phenomenon cause the other-or do both share a common underlying factor or mechanism? How are geniuses able to accomplish “creative fits”? The author explores both questions.

A comprehensive adjustment to life after having had a psychotic episode and diagnosis of schizophrenia is a relatively new concept. An expert describes the post-psychotic adjustment process.

A video summarizing key points of a presentation titled “Agitation and Aggression: Managing the Acute Episode and Beyond, An Evidence-Based Approach.”

Imagine an end to psychiatric episodes that threaten job and family, no more hospitalizations, and a chance for a long life not cut short by mental illness and its complications. What can we take away from the HIV/AIDS story for the treatment of mental illness?

Are patients with schizophrenia better off without antipsychotics? Here: a point/counterpoint.

Most patients with psychiatric diagnoses present with sleep disturbances that can have as great an impact on health-related quality of life as the mental illness itself. Here are tips on treatment and chronotherapeutic applications for major depression and other disorders.

A variety of commonly used psychiatric medications increase the risk of heatstroke, leaving psychiatric patients in jails and prisons at risk.

Clearly, some with schizophrenia fare better without antipsychotic drugs. But not all. Many individuals with schizophrenia are better off taking antipsychotic drugs for long-term.

Treatment approaches to counter adverse metabolic effects associated with the atypicals.

Take-home messages on the immunology of schizophrenia and NMDA receptor encephalitis from the Schizophrenia International Research Society conference here.