Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery - Society's Shame [Paperback]

Marvin Ross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2008

Written by a medical writer and family member of someone suffering from schizophrenia, this book outlines all of the issues involved with schizophrenia and its treatment including stigma, history, causes, physiological changes in the brain, and best treatments. It is an ideal reference and support for family members and others interested in this disease. It is also suitable as supplementary reading for students in health care fields (including medicine and nursing), psychology, social work and any occupation that needs solid information about schizophrenia. The book is recommended by the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders on its website.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book by Marvin Ross is a powerful resource for anyone looking for answers and insight into the world of mental illness. But it is not something that you pick up and read for pleasure before going to bed.

Ross examines the history of institutions and how people suffering from mental illness have been treated, where we are today with our laws and why, and the search for proper treatment for those who have the disease. Many studies, both past and present, along with statistics and probable causes for the disease are also documented. There is also a chapter on various medications, treatments and what has worked, what has not and why. This book provides the reader with the answers to many questions - including the "whys" about the disease.

More importantly, the author has shown, through studies and statistics, how society is in need of advocates to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

A source of comfort is found at the end of the book where there is a list of famous people who have suffered from mental illness and their accomplishments. For anyone who seeks answers, insight, resource material, or just wants to know more about schizophrenia, this is a great book. It has inspired me to be more public about my experiences and to continue to do all that I can to help change laws, regulations, and to eliminate the stigma that goes along with mental illness. -- Schizophrenia Digest, Fall, 2008

Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery - Society's Shame by Marvin Ross offers a frank discussion of the "legacy of ignorance" surrounding the disease and how society continues to stigmatize those affected by it. The book also provides a detailed description of schizophrenia itself, including treatment strategies and theories of causation making it a helpful and empowering guide." --Abilities Magazine Issue 77, Winter 2008/09

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Bridgeross Communications (April 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981003702
• ISBN-13: 978-0981003702
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,643,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am both a writer and now a publisher. While I have specialized in medical writing, I do and have written on many topics. In addition to the book on schizophrenia listed here, I have had published the following humor books:

Cover your A** or How to Survive in a Government Bureaucracy by Bureaucrat X, Daddy Dearest, A Guide for First Time Fathers,
Sorry Daddy, A fathers Guide to Toddlers,
Reigning Cats and Dogs, A Lighthearted Look at Pets and Their Owners.

I have also written:
The Silent Epidemic on Alzheimer's Disease
Report Card on Education
Eyes with Dr. Marvin Kwitko
Pig Pills Inc: the Anatomy of a health care fraud
The Hamilton Book of Everything with Kim Arnott and Charyl McDonald

I also publish the mysteries of psychiatrist David Laing Dawson - The Intern, Essondale, Slide in All Direction and Don't Look Down

I am also the publisher of The Dysfunctional Father's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Babies by XY

My next book is an expanded and reissued version of the pet book called The Original Reigning Cats and Dogs.

I live in Dundas Ontario

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Offering practical help, hope and a measure of relief January 1, 2009

By Robert Fripp

Format:Paperback

Schizophrenia continues to be responsible for much misery, suffering, crime, destitution and deprivation. Author Marvin Ross has performed a significant service by writing "Schizophrenia - Medicine's Mystery, Society's Shame." Ross dedicates his book "To all who struggle daily with the voices and other symptoms of schizophrenia, and to their families who suffer watching their loved ones valiantly struggling to cope." That says it, and Ross lives up to his dedication.

His book keeps everything succinct and blunt. This is an honest appraisal of an ugly subject, one that mainstream society would prefer to keep behind locked, sound-proofed doors.

This hard-edged blueprint takes a logical approach, giving a much-needed critique of historical myth as well as all too recent quasi-scientific blunderings that may have caused decades of delay in the search for rational treatment for this far-from-rational and thoroughly misunderstood disease. Too much received opinion on this subject has been wrong, and Ross correctly dedicates considerable space to expunging error.

Then come the essentials, lucid and well explained. Here is "Schizophrenia Defined," and a section reporting the conclusions of studies into five distinct categories of "Abnormalities." Sections dealing with "Theories of Causation/Treatment" and "Treatment Strategies" must surely be welcome to people who must cope with schizophrenia every day.

If I have a quibble with this book it is that I wanted to rearrange the Table of Contents to place some of the commentary on the lack of progress further down. However, Ross, a medical writer, is making a passionate appeal, and his delay in presenting sections on positive progress is understandable: real progress depends on exposing false doctrines from the past. Anyway, his Table of Contents is precise, so readers can easily find their way around, and his Index surely exceeds the most demanding expectations. One hopes that "Schizophrenia - Medicine's Mystery, Society's Shame" will reward readers with practical help, hope and a measure of relief.

Robert Fripp,
Author of "Spirit in Health: Spiritual roots in modern healing"

5.0 out of 5 stars An Invaluable Resource for Relatives of First Episode Patients December 22, 2012

By mike

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

An easily read primer on this serious illness that discusses the current societal aspects, stages of the illness, treatments and future prospects for treatment amongst a plethora of facts and information. An alphabetical index makes referencing the information within easy. The links found in the reference section allow further reading of the various subjects by directing the reader to relevant sites.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL December 1, 2012

By Julie L. Friedman

Format:Paperback

Schizophrenia; Medicine's Mystery is an excellent textbook which explores the past history of schizophrenia as well as the current treatment options for this serious condition. The book is very well organized and easy to read whether you are a psychiatrist or a family member of someone with schizophrenia. It also looks at current and future treatment options. I give this book 5 stars. By Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL