Schizophrenia: A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science
Ronald Chase
The John Hopkins University Press, £13.00
Before reading Schizophrenia: A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science, I knew very little about this intriguing disease, and my view of schizophrenia was largely shaped by the accounts of friends and stories in the media. Fortunately, it provides a well rounded overview of schizophrenia, delicately balancing science and personal experiences.
Chase takes the reader on a journey that alternates between the milestones of his brother’s life, living with schizophrenia and looking at the questions this naturally raises, such as ‘who gets schizophrenia and why?’ and ‘why is schizophrenia stigmatised?’.
The author has managed to successfully amalgamate work from various sources, presenting a series of clear reviews on issues such as the causes and treatments of schizophrenia. Also, conveniently, Chase includes a summary page at the end of each chapter, enabling you to refer back to areas of particular interest.
On the whole, while schizophrenia may be well known, it is widely misunderstood. Chase has successfully produced a succinct scientific overview of schizophrenia that also gives a touching insight into the lives of those affected by this complex disease. I would recommend it to anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the illness.
