This guide is for women who are recovering from a psychotic episode. The information will also be useful for their families.
Psychotic illness affects women and men in different ways. In women, schizophrenia—the most common form of psychotic illness
— usually starts later in life and progresses at a different pace. This means that treatment for women needs to be specific
to women. There are differences in treatment outcomes between men and women. However, textbooks usually talk about psychosis,
its treatment and its outcome as if these gender differences didn’t matter. This guide speaks to the specific issues women
and their families face during recovery from psychosis.
Authors
- Pamela Blake, MSW, RSW
- April A. Collins, MSW, RSW
- Mary V. Seeman, MD
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge helpful comments from:
- Dr. Robert Zipursky,
Clinical Director, Schizophrenia and Continuing Care, CAMH.
We owe special thanks to the many clients, their families and the staff of the following programs and organizations who reviewed
an earlier version of this information guide or assisted with the review process:
- Can-Voice, London, Ontario
- Family Advisory Group,
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario
- Schizophrenia and Continuing Care Program,
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario
- Skills training Treatment and Education Place (STEP),
Whitby Mental Health Centre, Whitby, Ontario
- Best Practices Services,
Whitby Mental Health Centre, Whitby, Ontario
- Canadian Mental Health Association,
Cornwall, Ontario
- Community Programs, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
London, Toronto, Oshawa and Cornwall, Ontario
Copyright © 2001 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health