The guidelines, developed by a panel of experts on schizophrenia, address Strategies for Selecting Medications, Strategies for Selecting Services, Assessment Issues, and Policy Issues. The materials include an excellent educational handout for patients and families. This URL will take you to the Brief Summary of the practice parameters. The practice parameters address diagnostic assessment, diagnostic formulation, and treatment issues. This article by Fred R. Volkmar, MD, provides a brief summary of the major psychotic disorders that present in adolescence and their differential diagnoses and treatment.
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The algorithms are intended to be used for decision support, consultation, and advisory input to clinical care. Those with schizophrenia are at high risk for suicidal behavior. Biopsychosocial assessments and interventions are essential for reducing the risk for suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. Had it not been for therapy, I would not have survived the constant relapses that occurred until we could find a medication that helped me. In this Online NewsHour report Susan Dentzer follows one patient's struggle with schizophrenia.