The Beginner's Guide to Understanding Schizophrenia
By Psychologist Dr. Hayden Finch
Everything we know about
the symptoms of schizophrenia
what causes schizophrenia, and
how to treat schizophrenia
All the scientific details written in plain language you can understand
WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER
Go from confused and scared to knowledgeable and empowered. In this book, I’ll teach you everything we know about schizophrenia, in plain language, including:
- The definition of schizophrenia
- Examples of the most common symptoms
- Relationship to other psychotic disorders
- The most common co-occurring conditions
- Historical and current understandings of what causes schizophrenia
- Risk factors for schizophrenia
- How schizophrenia impacts the brain and the person more globally — think: genetics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurodevelopment, and substance use
- Different treatment models
- How treatment plans are developed
- Evidence-based treatment approaches to schizophrenia: medication, skills training, psychotherapy, and family interventions.
WHO SHOULD READ IT
- People who are struggling to find reliable information about this very complicated condition
- People who have a loved one with a psychotic disorder and want to know everything they can to help advocate for them
- People who are concerned they might be developing schizophrenia and need to know more
- Regular folks who have no education or training in psychiatry, neuroscience, or mental health
- People who like to keep it real and prefer stuff that’s easy to read
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska, Dr. Hayden Finch is passionate about serious mental illness and is an accomplished clinician and writer. In addition to developing outpatient and residential treatment programs for people with serious mental illnesses, she has been involved in mental health policy and legislation advocacy. After graduate school, she was fortunate to combine her commitment to Veterans and passion for mental health by training at the VA, where she was involved in developing an inpatient treatment program for Veterans with serious mental illnesses while also working in the PTSD, substance use, and chronic pain treatment programs. Since becoming a licensed clinician, Dr. Finch has focused on generalizing her skills to treat a broader range of mental health conditions. A true lifelong learner and teacher, Dr. Finch is now applying her passion for education and serious mental illness to developing educational materials aimed at reducing stigma about serious mental illnesses and coaching people with serious mental illness, their providers, and their families to work toward recovery. Dr. Finch practices what she preaches regarding setting life goals and is most content when she’s traveling with her family or walking with her dogs.