This book took me 50 years to write. Even though I became a neuroscientist because of my brother’s illness, and even though I engaged in neuroscience research for many years, I never did any research directly related to mental illness. However, I continued to think about what might have happened to Jim and why he acted the way he did. I also kept up on the relevant scientific and medical literature. This book is both a memoir of my brother and a discussion of current knowledge. Half the chapters tell the story of Jim’s life from birth to death. Alternating with those chapters are chapters with titles in the form of questions. These are the same questions that I needed to answer for myself, questions such as
Who gets schizophrenia and why?
Which genes cause schizophrenia?
Why does schizophrenia begin in late adolescence?
Just what is schizophrenia, anyway?
When did schizophrenia first appear, and why doesn’t it go away?
212 pages, 11 illustrations
Available from Amazon or Johns Hopkins University Press
Who gets schizophrenia and why?
Which genes cause schizophrenia?
Why does schizophrenia begin in late adolescence?
Just what is schizophrenia, anyway?
When did schizophrenia first appear, and why doesn’t it go away?
212 pages, 11 illustrations
Available from Amazon or Johns Hopkins University Press
Reviews
“What Dr. Chase produces is a rare combination of family memoir and accessible explanation of the neuroscience, genetics, and the epidemiology of schizophrenia. I simply love this book.”
— Patrick Tracey, PsychCentral
“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.”
— Natasha Ganecki, The Biologist
“I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a relative or loved one with schizophrenia, and to any mental health professional who needs to be reminded about the effects of mental illness on the patient and the family.”
— Brett C. Plyler, M.D., Doody's Review Service
“Schizophrenia is a book written for anyone touched by the disease. Dr. Chase asserts that it is not a scientific text for healthcare professionals; however, in my opinion, the book is informative for them as well... The book is a must-read for anyone who has a loved one suffering from schizophrenia.”
— Robin Wulffson, M.D., Examiner.com
“Dr. Chase asks the fundamental questions about schizophrenia and, in exceptionally clear language, explains the technical obstacles to answering them. The chapters about his brother are poignant, often achingly so, making it clear why answers are needed so urgently.”
— Andrew Shaner, M.D., author of Overcoming Addictions: Skills Training for People with Schizophrenia
“Chase notes, in his final reflections, that the shifting social perceptions and acceptance of schizophrenia have improved the situation for sufferers and families alike—a change that will only be bolstered by this sensitive and compassionate read.”
— Publisher's Weekly
“Many scientists and physicians could have written this extraordinarily insightful book, but few choose to share their compassion and anguish for their brothers who have experienced schizophrenia. Ronald Chase describes his efforts to understand an un-understandable brain disease in a way that compels the reader to join him in a plea for more research and less stigma.”
— Irving I. Gottesman, author of Schizophrenia Genesis: The Origins of Madness
“Schizophrenia is a physical disorder mainly affecting the brain and profoundly afflicting life as a human being. In this book—a perspective on hope for the future—Ronald Chase elegantly interweaves a subjective family story of his brother’s life with schizophrenia and an objective review of the scientific literature on this condition.”
— Akira Sawa, M.D., Ph.D., Director and Professor, Johns Hopkins Schizophrenia Center, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medicine
“The book Schizophrenia: A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science is a period piece. It is a combination of personal recollections spanning the second half of the 20th century and an extended pedagogical discussion of some of the research on schizophrenia during that period.”
— William D. Spaulding, PsycCRITIQUES
“It's more than a professor of biology's coverage: it blends his own family story of his brother's life and affliction with a review of the latest scientific literature on the issue, making for a guide especially user-friendly to families struggling with the result of a diagnosis.”
— Midwest Book Review