This book is actually quite good for any family initially blind-sided with a Schizophrenia diagnosis for a teen, OR, for parents suspecting that their teen MAY have Schizophrenia.
It is very easy reading, short, and has some good real-life short stories from parents. It is the type of book every Psychiatrist should hand out to a parent with an adolescent newly diagnosed with Schizophrenia, or even if the adolescent POSSIBLY has Schizophrenia.
Because Schizophrenia is such a complex illness, a comprehensive resource would be several volumes, and have to include Torrey's "Surviving Schizophrenia". This is a short, easy-to read book that can get a parent mentally prepared for the task ahead. It briefly explains what Schizophrenia is without getting too technical. It gently teaches some terms that will be necessary to know in order to understand anything they will be reading on the Internet or even to talk with the doctors.
It warns parents that they are going to have to fight for the proper care of their child. That is an understatement! It doesn't go into details of how to do that - how to get 504 plans, accommodations in school, proper medical tests, etc... but it does give the parents a "heads-up" - you have a battle ahead of you, and a lot to learn.
