Managing negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Summary: "Negative symptoms are considered to be the fundamental symptoms of schizophrenia. This book provides up-to-date, practical information on the management of negative symptoms in schizophrenia by describing the concepts, definitions, long-term course, evaluation (including rating scales), and treatment of such symptoms. Along with symptoms based on clinical interview and observed behaviour, the subjective experience of people with negative symptoms of schizophrenia is also described. The book helps the reader understand the link between the latest research in this field and offers an expert insight into the various approaches that are adopted by some of the most prestigious schools of psychopathology. The first chapter guides the reader through the complex and sometimes contradictory interpretations of negative symptoms. It also describes the most commonly used negative symptom rating scales. Some of the scales or parts of them are included in the Appendix. The chapter on the basic symptoms of schizophrenia and their relationship to negative symptoms can lend support both for early intervention programmes and for the long-term follow-up of patients. It describes the evaluation of basic symptoms and provides information on currently used rating instruments developed for the standardized evaluation of such symptoms. The delineation of the long-term relationship between primary negative and positive symptoms and between primary and secondary negative symptoms in the Chapter 3 can be instrumental in the diagnostic process and personalized treatment of schizophrenia, which is characterized by complex and varying psychopathology and comorbidities (e.g. depression, extrapyramidal symptoms). Chapter 4 on the subjective experiences of patients with negative symptoms contributes to a better understanding of patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It also includes a description of a number a rating instruments focusing on the subjective experiences of the patients. Chapters 5 and 6, on treatments, including the pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for negative symptoms in schizophrenia, provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice"--