To download and view these files, you will need a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download a free copy of the program here.

Table of Contents:

PDF Versions of Some Schizophrenia.com Pages:

Pages on General Information, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
Pages on Getting Treatment
Pages on Coping with Schizophrenia

PDF Documents from External Sources:

Articles with basic information on schizophrenia and mental illness
Articles on Treatment and Medication
Articles on Coping and Crisis Situations
Articles on Rehabilitation and Recovery
Articles on Special Problems and Social Issues
Articles on Mental Illness, Violence, and the Criminal Justice System
Articles on Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

"Best Of" PDF Documents

Best articles for family and friends
Best articles for teachers and employers
Best articles for advocacy campaigns

These are pdf versions of the schizophrenia.com pages we think would be most helpful for our members to print out in hard copies to give to friends and family members so that they can better understand the disease. The documents are formatted for printing ease, ad- and banner-free. If there is a particular page that you would like to see added here, for your own files or for someone else's information, please let us know.

General Information, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

• Schizophrenia Overview - a booklet from the NIMH with general information on signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
• Esquizofrenia - NIMH booklet en espanol
• Possible early warning signs of schizophrenia - a list compiled by one schizophrenia.com member. Very comprehensive, but not to be used as a diagnostic tool.
• Advice for Teenagers - how to get help for a mental health concern
• Tips for Choosing a Mental Health Therapist

Getting Treatment

• General Information about Taking Psychiatric Medications - Some Things to Expect
• How to Help an Ill Relative Who Won't Accept Treatment
• Hospitalization - when, why, and where to go
• Involving Family Members in the Treatment of an Ill Relative

Living with Schizophrenia - Coping Tips for Family Members and Friends

• Tips for Effectively Communicating with a Person who has Schizophrenia
• How to Manage 5 Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia - including 6 steps for responding to paranoia.
• Understanding and Responding to the Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• Tips for Handling a Crisis, and/or a Psychotic Episode
• How to Avoid Relapses
• Information about Preventing Suicide
• How to Help an Ill Family Member Who's Been Arrested
• Overview of the Mental Health Service System for Criminal Justice Professionals (Source: SAMHSA, for criminal justic professionals, but is not a bad introduction to the issues for families if a family member with schizophrenia has legal/court/jail issues. The document tends toward being (in our view) overly "politically correct" - but also provides some value)

Downloadable PDF Documents from External Websites

The documents below are the most helpful PDF articles we have found from mental health websites on the internet. Many of them are brief and easily readable, ideal for keeping in a file of information for personal use and/or passing out to friends, family members, employers, teachers, and anyone else who might benefit from information about schizophrenia or related brain diseases. Others are longer, but can provide excellent reading on special topics of interest.

Although from several different sources, many of the brief, basic factsheets are from the Canadian Mental Health Division, created as part of a massive public education project. They have 43 downloadable factsheets in all, in pdf and html format. All 43 are also available as a single download, a "Mental Health Primer". Access the Canadian Mental Health Division website here.

Note that some of the publications from specific regions/countries may include statistics or resources that are specific to those areas. However, much of the general information is still useful, and can be used for education in many different places.

Please let us know about any broken document links by emailing [email protected]

Basic Information about Schizophrenia and related Brain Disorders:

• Schizophrenia - a brief, easy-to-read factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• The Storm in my Brain - an illustrated booklet describing bipolar disorder to young children (Source: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation)
• What are Mental Disorders? - brief factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• What is Psychosis? - brief factsheet (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, AU)
• Diagnosis of Mental Disorders - describes the process of diagnosing all the major Axis-I disorders; also reviews what the DSM-IV is and how mental disorders are classified by diagnosticians (Source: Lundbeck Institute, non-profit educational resource)
• A Siblings Guide to Psychosis/Schizophrenia - A good guide for brothers and sisters of people who have schizophrenia - it covers the common issues and feelings that come up when a sibling has psychosis (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Myths about mental illness - common misconceptions about mental illness, and how you can help dispel them (Source: The Schizophrenia Society of Canada)
• Does severe mental illness run in families? Good facts and considerations for people who have a relative with mental illness, and/or prospective parents who have mental illness in the family. Short, easily readable. (Source: Rethink, UK Mental Illness Charity)
• Mental Illness in the family - a very brief, but still valuable fact sheet to provide to relatives to help explain the mental illness of a family member. Not specific to any diagnosis. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Schizophrenia/Psychosis Education Resource Pack - for teachers who would like to educate their students about recognizing and treating psychosis (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada).
• Current Knowledge about the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia - an edition of Brainworks newsletter. An easily readable summary about the biological basis of schizophrenia for the educated layperson. (Source: DANA.org - research on the human brain)
• Mental Disorders and Substance Use Problems - brief factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Children, Youth and Mental Disorders - brief factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Children with Mental Disorders - examines the scope of the problem, reviews available services in education and insurance coverage, and makes future recommendations for policy. (Source: National Health Policy Forum)

Treatment and Medication Information:

• What Communities can do - a community action guide for early psychosis intervention strategies - Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - Covers the successful program of early schizophrenia (psychosis) treatment programs that have been deployed nationwide in Canada to maximize beneficial outcomes of people who develop schizophrenia.
• Treatments for Mental Disorders - a brief factsheet, not specific to any diagnosis (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• A Physician's Guide for Early Psychosis - advanced information on early psychosis - good for GPs, Family physicians, and family members that want to learn more about early treatment and the benefits associated with early treatment. (Souce: University of British Columbia)
• Talking with your Health Care Professional - tips for how to communicate your requests, and get the info you need. (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada)
• Medicare and your Mental Health Benefits (2002) - from the U.S. government medicare website.
• Anosognosia (impaired awareness, lack of insight) - explanation, and answers to common questions about this condition, which affects 40-50% of people with severe mental disorders. (Source: Treatment Advocacy Center).

Coping with Symptoms and Crisis Situations:

• Ray of Hope: A Reference Manual for Family and Friends - note: this is a BIG and long file, but it is also extremely comprehensive and helpful (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada)
• Families helping families brochure - information about recognizing, treating, living with schizophrenia, as well as how schizophrenia affects families and what family members can do (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada).
• Help with a mental illness crisis - brief factsheet on how families can be prepared (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Div)
• How Can I Help Someone with Psychosis? - For family and friends (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, AU)
• Grieving After Suicide - help for when the worst has happened (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)

Rehabilitation and Recovery:

• Self-management - a booklet compiled from the discussions, interviews, and focus groups of 52 participants with schizophrenia. It is their experiences and recommendations concerning how to best manage and cope with schizophrenia, and still maintain a healthy, productive life. (Source: Rethink, UK-based mental illness charity)
• Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with Psychiatric Disabilities - A Handbook for families and friends of individuals with psychiatric disorders (Source: A 30 page handbook from the New York State Office of Mental Health)
• Mental Disorders and Addictions in the Workplace - dealing with stress and depression on the job; why it is in an employer's best interest to support employees with a low-stress workplace, and how they can accomplish this. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Division)
• Mental Illness and Unemployment - prevalence, dangers, ways to cope, importance of work to recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Housing for Mentally Ill - Scope of the problem, different options that are available, and what to look for in a good supported housing program/unit (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Recovery - ways for people with mental illness to achieve recovery, or ways to support someone in recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Working with Students with Psychiatric Disabilities - Outlines some facts about psychiatric disability, and some expected accommodations that faculty/staff may provide for such students. Good information to pass out to teachers, educators, school administration. (Source: UCSF)
• Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder - written specifically for teachers working with pediatric bipolar disorder students (Source: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation).

Special Problems/Social Issues Associated with Mental Illness:

• Stigma and discrimination - a factsheet describing the problem and the associated myths (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Div)
• Mental Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Homicide and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source: New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
• The Link Between Marijuana and Mental Illness - gives a summary of some of the most recent scientific studies that identify marijuana use as a causal factor in serious psychiatric disease such as schizophrenia. (Source: A national anti-drug campaign, www.mediacampaign.org)
• Rethinking the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions, early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that work with this population (source: http://www.courtinnovation.org)
• Mental Health Court Program - describes what mental health courts are and what they do (Source: US Dept. of Justice)
• Court and Community: Mental Health Treatment (Source: US Court of New Mexico)
• A Factsheet on Dual-Diagnosis - why it happens, how the two disorders exacerbate each other, how to diagnose, what help is needed. Specific resources are based in the UK, but general information is helpful for everyone. (Source: National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
• The Economic Cost of Mental Disorders - good factsheet for advocates looking to increase services for the mentally ill (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)

Information About Mental Illness, Violence, and the Criminal Justice System:

• Rethinking the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions, early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that work with this population (source: courtinnovation.org)
• Mental Health Court Program - describes what mental health courts are and what they do (Source: US Dept. of Justice)
• Court and Community: Mental Health Treatment (Source: US Court of New Mexico)
• How to Help an Ill Family Member Who's Been Arrested (a pdf file)
• Mental Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Homicide and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source: New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
• Overview of the Mental Health Service System for Criminal Justice Professionals (Source: SAMHSA, for criminal justic professionals, but is not a bad introduction to the issues for families if a family member with schizophrenia has legal/court/jail issues. The document tends toward being (in our view) overly "politically correct" - but also provides some value)

Information about Substance Abuse and Mental Illness:

• A Factsheet on Dual-Diagnosis - why it happens, how the two disorders exacerbate each other, how to diagnose, what help is needed. Specific resources are based in the UK, but general information is helpful for everyone. (Source: National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
• Mental Disorders and Substance Use Problems - brief factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• The Link Between Marijuana and Mental Illness - gives a summary of some of the most recent scientific studies that identify marijuana use as a causal factor in serious psychiatric disease such as schizophrenia. (Source: A national anti-drug campaign, www.mediacampaign.org)

Best Information for Family and Friends of Someone with a Mental Disorder:

• Schizophrenia - a brief, easy-to-read factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• What are Mental Disorders? - brief factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• What is Psychosis? - brief factsheet (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, AU)
• Does severe mental illness run in families? Good facts and considerations for people who have a relative with mental illness, and/or prospective parents who have mental illness in the family. Short, easily readable. (Source: Rethink, UK Mental Illness Charity)
• Mental Illness in the family - a very brief, but still valuable fact sheet to provide to relatives to help explain the mental illness of a family member. Not specific to any diagnosis. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)
• How to Help an Ill Relative Who Won't Accept Treatment (schizophrenia.com pdf file
• Tips for Effectively Communicating with a Person who has Schizophrenia (schizophrenia.com pdf file)
• How to Manage 5 Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia - including 6 steps for responding to paranoia. (schizophrenia.com pdf file)
• Understanding and Responding to the Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia (schizophrenia.com pdf file)
• Tips for Handling a Crisis, and/or a Psychotic Episode (schizophrenia.com pdf file)
• Families helping families brochure - information about recognizing, treating, living with schizophrenia, as well as how schizophrenia affects families and what family members can do (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada).
• Help with a mental illness crisis - brief factsheet on how families can be prepared (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Div)
• How Can I Help Someone with Psychosis? - For family and friends (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, AU)

Best Information to Provide to Teachers and Employers Working with People who have Mental Illness:

• Working with Students with Psychiatric Disabilities - Outlines some facts about psychiatric disability, and some expected accommodations that faculty/staff may provide for such students. Good information to pass out to teachers, educators, school administration. (Source: UCSF)
• Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder - written specifically for teachers working with pediatric bipolar disorder students (Source: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation)
• Mental Disorders and Addictions in the Workplace - dealing with stress and depression on the job; why it is in an employer's best interest to support employees with a low-stress workplace, and how they can accomplish this. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Division)

Best Information for Advocacy Campaigns:

• Rethinking the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions, early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that work with this population (source: http://www.courtinnovation.org)
• Mental Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Homicide and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source: New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
• Stigma and discrimination - a factsheet describing the problem and the associated myths (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Div)
• The Economic Cost of Mental Disorders - good factsheet for advocates looking to increase services for the mentally ill (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Mental Illness and Unemployment - prevalence, dangers, ways to cope, importance of work to recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
• Housing for Mentally Ill - Scope of the problem, different options that are available, and what to look for in a good supported housing program/unit (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division) See the full list of Fact Sheets available from this group: alphabetical list of fact sheet titles