Ann Olson Psy.D.

About

Ann Olson* was educated at The University of Washington, Pepperdine University, and Alliant International University. She did her post-doctoral work at Washington University in St. Louis. She is the author of Illuminating Schizophrenia: Insights into the Uncommon Mind. Dr. Olson has written fiction and nonfiction on mental illness extensively, and she has a particular interest in the manifestations of psychosis. This interest includes comprehension of psychological theory and metatheoretical approaches to understanding theories of psychopathology.

*Her name, Ann Olson, is a pseudonym.

Books by Ann Olson Psy.D.

Recent Posts

The Synergistic Components of Schizophrenia

Psychotic ideation is bolstered by its characteristics of visceral experience, dissociation and lack of context. Rogerian theory and therapy might be a promising intervention.

Combating Stigma Associated with Mental Illness

Often dealing with stigma by the mentally ill involves expectations for other, non-mentally ill people to change. This article examines practical steps to overcome stigma.

Societal Roles and Schizophrenia

The context of schizophrenics, in terms of a vocational and relational roles, is typically misunderstood. Combating stigma by understanding of their perspectives is essential.

The Biopsychosocial Model and Avenues for Treatment

The biopsychosocial paradigm as it relates to the cycles that exacerbate mental disorders, including those which can be treated with medication, socialization and psychotherapy.

Efficacy and Confidence in the Mentally Ill

Common sense, reasoning and emotional intelligence are qualities often diminished in the psychotic mentally ill. The clinician may augment these through psychotherapy.

Common sense, reasoning and emotional intelligence are qualities often diminished in the psychotic mentally ill. The clinician may augment these through psychotherapy.

Dissociation and Psychosis

Psychosis is characterized by the symptom of dissociation from reality by the psychotic individual. This withdrawal involves derealization and depersonalization.

Psychosis is characterized by the symptom of dissociation from reality by the psychotic individual. This withdrawal involves derealization and depersonalization.

The Success of a Schizophrenic

The team approach to treatment of psychotic individuals is widely used. This writer supports the possibility of a single clinician who might oversee the various aspects of treatment for the mentally ill, with a strong focus on utilizing an examination of the client's history of premorbid functioning in terms of finding for her a vocational and relational niche.

The team approach to treatment of psychotic individuals is widely used. This writer supports the possibility of a single clinician who might oversee the various aspects of treatment for the mentally ill, with a strong focus on utilizing an examination of the client's history of premorbid functioning in terms of finding for her a vocational and relational niche.

Psychosis and Resistance to Taking Medications

Why do schizophrenics discontinue their medications? Often, this is done for delusional reasons, based on the fact that meds are only partially effective. Incomplete effectiveness of medication and the punitive aspects of psychosis allow for confusion regarding the causes of psychosis, further motivated by desperation of the schizophrenic to find relief.

Why do schizophrenics discontinue their medications? Often, this is done for delusional reasons, based on the fact that meds are only partially effective. Incomplete effectiveness of medication and the punitive aspects of psychosis allow for confusion regarding the causes of psychosis, further motivated by desperation of the schizophrenic to find relief.

Apples, Oranges, and Metatheory

This article utilizes an example regarding the concrete existence of "apples" and "oranges" as compared to the concept of "fruit". Psychosis, like apples and oranges, has a visceral and immediate quality, and the actuality of brain chemistry regarding psychosis is a metatheory that subsumes the "theories" of psychotic individuals.

This article utilizes an example regarding the concrete existence of "apples" and "oranges" as compared to the concept of "fruit". Psychosis, like apples and oranges, has a visceral and immediate quality, and the actuality of brain chemistry regarding psychosis is a metatheory that subsumes the "theories" of psychotic individuals.

Understanding the Internal World of Psychosis

For the psychotic individual to be understood, empathy regarding his emotional experience might make a significant difference in his psychopathology and his relationship with the world. It is possible to understand his emotion and his fear, his cognition—to an extent—and his obvious alienation. Ways to address this individual in therapy are discussed in this article.

For the psychotic individual to be understood, empathy regarding his emotional experience might make a significant difference in his psychopathology and his relationship with the world. It is possible to understand his emotion and his fear, his cognition—to an extent—and his obvious alienation. Ways to address this individual in therapy are discussed in this article.