Schizophrenia

The description of schizophrenia has a history – if you want to know this history, you will find it in this magnificent book. The causes of schizophrenia have been debated, from infectious, to genetic, to object relations disturbance in early childhood – if you are interested in all those debates, look no further. The treatments of schizophrenia have a long history, too, from surgeries to neuroleptics – they are skillfully and engagingly discussed in a form anyone can read. Finally, if you want to see the principles for treating, as the authors note, some schizophrenics with psychoanalytic approaches, these are described in fascinating and persuasive detail. And, by the way, if you want some evidence-based references to bolster the authors’ representations, there are 42 pages of bibliography. Not just a reference book, this is a stunning work of readable, accessible, and fascinating scholarship.

-- Jerome S Blackman, MD, FIPA, Professor of Psychiatry, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk

‘Kevin Volkan, PhD and Vamık Volkan, MD bring their scholarly and clinical knowledge to the project of understanding the history, science, and treatment of schizophrenia. In this highly readable and accessible book they provide a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on schizophrenia and how the illness is affected by culture. Volkan and Volkan review, critique, and update psychoanalytic formulations of schizophrenia, showing how early Freudian, ego, and object relations psychoanalytic theories have evolved into modern psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. They advocate for the place of modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the treatment of schizophrenia, where symptoms and suffering can be understood in the context of the inner and the outer world of the patient, and may take place in conjunction with other treatment modalities. Integrative approaches to understanding and treating schizophrenia maximize the possibility of recovery and this book advocates for a broad and thoughtful approach to treatment.’

-- Jane G. Tillman, PhD ABPP, Evelyn Stefansson Nef Director, Erikson Institute for Education and Research, Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

‘[C]ompelling and progressive, with the authors striking exactly the right balance between theory and practice. Key psychoanalytic concepts and thinkers are invoked to help make sense of schizophrenia. There is something much more human here – a search for meaning that can sometimes be lacking in strictly medical or pharmacological models. […] Vamik Volkan’s clinical vignettes, used to illustrate the process, are a pleasure and inspiration to read. […] by bringing together psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis and culture, this book is a convincing manifesto for a multidisciplinary approach to treating schizophrenia.’

-- Emmanuelle Smith, psychodynamic psychotherapist in the NHS and private practice, 'Therapy Today' October