Cambridge University Press The Overlap of Affective and Schizophrenic Spectra

Many clinicians and researchers are convinced that there is an overlap between affective and schizophrenic spectra. In this book, an international team of experts discuss aspects of comorbidity, genetic models, clinical course, phenomenology and therapies. This is the first comprehensive overview of the schizoaffective spectra. Challenging cases presenting clinical and paraclinical features of both spectra are surprisingly numerous. Not only the phenomenology but also the course, outcome and treatment of such cases have their own characteristics. Recent research shows that the overlap also involves genetics and biological processes related to psychotic disorders. Within the overlap of affective and schizophrenic spectra it is possible to identify some groups of disorders having similar clinical and non-clinical features: the 'schizoaffective' group, 'Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder' or 'Brief Psychosis', and other groups found in so-called 'Atypical Forms'. Review 'If this book is not of interest, the reader has no business being a psychiatrist. … The book is well written and provides an excellent and accessible overview of relevant research. … This book provides a wealth of useful, clinically relevant information that will be of interest to any reader who accepts the importance of taking account of a patient's illness beyond simple allocation to an operational diagnostic category. All psychiatrists involved in the management of individuals with mood and psychotic illnesses should read this book.' British Journal of Psychiatry Book Description An international team of experts examine the overlap between schizophrenic and affective spectra to provide guidance for clinicians and researchers. About the Author Andreas Marneros is Professor and Head of the Psychiatric Department of the Martin Luther University Halle, Germany.Hagop S. Akiskal is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the International Mood Center, University of California at San Diego.