Growing Up with a Schizophrenic Mother

Introduction  1
From Doris  2
From Margaret  5
Information About the Combined Study  9
Existing Literature   11
Purpose and Goals of This Book   12
Schizophrenia: An Overview   17

1—MOTHER   21
Appearance   21
Emotional Affect   22
Withdrawing or Overreacting   24
Cognitive Distortions and Delusions   27
Bizarre and Inappropriate Behavior   28
Hospitalizations   32
Medications   35
Suicidal or Homicidal Behavior   37
Hallucinations   38
Relationship or Emotional Involvement   39
Feelings Toward Mother   42

2—THE FAMILY   48
Fathers   51
Marital Conï¬ict   59
Family Dynamics   60
Extended Family   62
Siblings   66

3—THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOME   71
Chaos   72
Social Isolation   79
Abuse   86
Neglect   87
The Community 92

4—EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND COGNITIVE EFFECTS   95
Emotional Effects   96
Behavioral Effects   112
Effects on Cognition and Learning   117

5—THE QUALITY OF ADULT LIFE   121
Self-Esteem, Self-Cofidence, and Lost Potential   122
Identity and Role Models   124
Fear of Inheriting Schizophrenia   125
Fear for Children   126
Psychotherapy in Adulthood   128
Career   128
Difficulties in Relationships   129

6—COPING   139
What Helped   139
What Was Needed   151

7—ADULT INTERACTIONS WITH MOTHER 159
Schizophrenia and Aging   159
Taking Care of the Elderly Mother   161
Conflict and Loss   164
Insufficient Closure   166

8—RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS 169
Issues for Professional Consideration   172

Epilogue   183
Appendix: Resources   185
Notes   189
Bibliography   193
Index   195