There is a considerable disagreement about the diagnosis of schizophrenia and different theories about its causes and possible treatments. The term schizophrenia is widely used by doctors in the mental health system to describe a form of psychosis. In their view people with schizophrenia cannot distinguish their own thoughts, ideas, perceptions and imaginings from reality (the shared perceptions, sets of ideas and values that other people in that culture hold to be real). Amongst other symptoms, people diagnosed with schizophrenia might also be hearing voices, or may believe that other people can read their mind and control their thoughts.

Many people prefer to look at schizophrenia 'holistically', and argue that these symptoms are logical or natural reactions to adverse life events. In other words, an extreme form of distress. They emphasize the need to think about individual experience, and the importance of understanding what the experiences mean to the individual. Hearing voices, for instance, holds a different significance within different cultures and spiritual belief systems.

Find Out More and Seek Help

Hearing Voices Network: 79 Lever, Manchester M1 1FL, Tel: 0845 122 8641, E-mail: info@hearing-voices.org, Website: www.hearing-voices.org
Offers information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.

National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland): Claremont House, 130 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh EH7 4LB, Tel: 0131 557 8969, E-mail: info@nsfscot.org.uk, Website: www.nsfscot.org.uk
NSF (Scotland) is a member led charity that works to improve the well-being and quality of life of those affected by schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, including families and carers. Provides community-based services, information, advice, support and promotes greater understanding of schizophrenia.

Rethink: 5th Floor, Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX, General Enquiries Tel: 0845 456 0455 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), National Advice Line: 020 8974 6814 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-3pm; Tues, Thurs 10-1pm), E-mail: advice@rethink.org, Website: www.rethink.org
Dedicated to improving the lives of anyone affected by severe mental illness, by providing information, advice and advocacy services, raising awareness of mental health issues, and challenging the attitudes that create stigma. Website has sections on employment, money, benefits and legal rights.

Samaritans: c/o Chris, PO Box 90, 90
Stirling FK8 2SA, Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours), E-mail: jo@samaritans.org, Website: www.samaritans.org
The Samaritans exists to provide confidential emotional support to any person, irrespective of race, creed, age or status who is in emotional distress or at risk of suicide; 24 hours a day. Can be contacted by e-mail, telephone, writing, or by visiting one of over 200 local branches (details are on the website).

SANE: 1st Floor, Cityside House, 40 Adler Street, London E1 1EE, SANELINE: 0845 767 8000 (every day 6pm-11pm), E-mail: sanemail@sane.org.uk (admin queries only), Website: www.sane.org.uk
SANELINE is a National mental health helpline providing information and support for people with mental health problems, and those who support them. They can provide information on the illness and symptoms, local and national mental health services, medication, treatments and therapies.

Zito Trust: 16 Castle Street, Hay on Wye, Hereford HR3 5DF, Tel: 01497 82 00 11, E-mail: zitotrust@btinternet.com, Website: www.zitotrust.co.uk
Offers information, advice and support to family and friends of people with severe mental health problems, particularly where treatment seems inadequate.

Websites

Coming Off Psychiatric Medication www.comingoff.com
Website that aims to give up to date information about psychiatric medication, how it functions and the withdrawal process.

PsychCentral
http://psychcentral.com
The Internet's largest and oldest independent mental health social network created and run by mental health professionals. The site has lots of useful resources, recommended books and even quizzes.

World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders www.world-schizophrenia.org
The only global organization dedicated to lightening the burden of schizophrenia and allied disorders for sufferers and their families.

Further Readings

Accepting Voices by Marius Romme and Sandra Escher (MIND, 2003)
This book illustrates that many people hear voices and that not everyone has recourse to psychiatry, but that there are ways of coping which enable people to come to terms with their experience. It focuses on techniques to deal with voices, emphasizing that personal growth should be stimulated rather than inhibited.

Coping With Voices and Visions by The Hearing Voices Network
Written by people who have these experiences outlining different ways to cope with voices.

Hearing Voices: Working Out a Positive Approach by Sharon File (MIND, 2004)
This workbook presents a cognitive behavioural approach to coping with hearing voices. It explores theories about how and why voices can happen, and explains what CBT is and why it might help. It takes the reader through simple exercises to help them learn about their voices, and explores a range of techniques to help them.

I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! by Xavier Amador and Anna-Lica Johanson (Vida Press, 2006)
This is a book addressed to carers of people with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, with the purpose of helping them to understand why their loved ones refuse to acknowledge their illness and therefore refuse the medications they need, often as a matter of life and death. It is written in a simple and highly accessible style.

Living with Schizophrenia: An Holistic Approach to Understanding, Preventing and Recovering from Negative Symptoms by John Watkins (Michelle Anderson Publishing, 1997)
A sophisticated and critical account of theory regarding the "negative" symptoms of schizophrenia. A goldmine of practical information and strategies for dealing creatively with these problems.

Making Sense of Voices: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals Working with Voice-Hearers by Marius Romme Sandra Escher (MIND, 2000)
Just under 10 years ago, the authors triggered a seismic shift in the understanding of voice-hearing. They put the powerful case for accepting and validating people's own interpretations of their voices, and showed how such interpretations often enabled people to live with them far more effectively than bio-medical approaches. This handbook for practitioners builds on this work. It combines examples with guidance on the various processes involved in enabling voice-hearers to deal with their voices and lead an active and fulfilling life.

Schizophrenia: A Very Short Introduction by Chris Frith and Eve Johnstone (Oxford University Press, 2003)
Describes what schizophrenia is really like, how the illness progresses and the treatments that have been applied. It also summarizes the most up-to-date knowledge available about the biological bases of this disorder.

Surviving Schizophrenia: A Family Manual by E Fuller Torrey (Pgw Publishing, 2006)
Describes the nature, causes, symptoms, treatment and course of schizophrenia. It also explores living with the disease from both the patient's and the family's point of view.