Schizophrenia/Psychosis

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.

What's your first impression of this Rorschach-type image? Is there a place for Rorschach measures in assessing psychotic functioning?

We talk about mental disorders as brain disorders, but what does that really mean? How does it change the way we think about autism, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, and other illnesses? The answer to these questions are still evolving. More in this video exclusive with NIMH Director Thomas Insel, MD.

Although there is limited evidence for mind-body treatments for schizophrenia, these approaches may improve overall quality of life without associated risks. More in this slideshow.

Select natural products have been evaluated as adjunctive agents that may be combined with conventional antipsychotics, with promising preliminary findings. Music therapy, meditation, and mindfulness training may improve quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia. Details here.

Many patients report that smoking helps them with their stress and psychological disturbances. However, smoking may actually worsen some of these symptoms. When is the right time for your patients to quit?

There is renewed interest and enthusiasm for the potential pathophysiological role of inflammation and immune dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia, with evidence for abnormalities in the blood, CSF, and CNS.

Catatonia-a syndrome of disturbed motor, mood, and systemic signs (eg, rigidity, immobility, mutism, staring, posturing, waxy flexibility, echopraxia, echolalia, and stereotypies)-has led to the clarification of its appropriate treatment.

In the first of a two-part Special Report, the evaluation and management of psychosis is explored across a range of disorders and clinical contexts.