In the first section of the book, he describes the enormity of schizophrenia as a national public health issue. The next sections tell readers what schizophrenia is and is not and discuss the prognoses of the disease. Perhaps the most practical parts of the book are the chapters that deal with six major problems and ten questions that arise with schizophrenia. Newcomers to Surviving Schizophrenia may want to begin with these chapters. His specific suggestions reflect the activities of NAMI affiliates.
Additional reading is suggested at the end of each chapter, and there are four appendices.
The second appendix is a list of videotapes. The final appendix lists NAMI's state affiliates and phone numbers. There are notes for each chapter that are interesting to read, but difficult to correlate with chapter texts. Tables, worksheets, and short summaries of topics enhance readability, as do the frequent subdivisions of chapter sections. Part I is an overview that defines the disease, discusses diagnosis, and reviews symptoms.