Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

Thought Disorders Clinic:
Treatment of Schizophrenia and Psychosis

The Thought Disorders Clinic offered by West Virginia University's Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry renders a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and habilitation of patients with schizophrenia and related illnesses. The Thought Disorders Clinic and group meet every Thursday afternoon at Chestnut Ridge Outpatient Services.

Criteria

Working diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, and new onset psychosis are welcomed.

The Treatment Team

Our staff consists of a neuropsychiatrist, psychiatrists, neuropsychologist, case manager, medical assistant, social worker, and group therapist, all certified in their areas. Additional team members include residents, medical students, and trainees in our schools of pharmacy, nursing, social work and psychology, Essentially all of the patients become familiar with all the regular staff, giving structure to their experience in the clinic.

• Scott E. Pollard , MD, Director
• Thomas R. Adamski, MD,
• John Young, MD
• Brenda Slaughter, Case Manager

Comprehensive Treatment Services

A wide range of testing is available and is administered when necessary by experienced personnel. Patient comfort and privacy are maintained in an educational setting. Novel and conventional antipsychotic drugs, as well as other psychoactive medications, are administered in conjunction with group sessions stressing improvement of function, prevention of relapse, development of insight, social interaction, and wellness. Social support, including indigent programs to supply medications, is available. We are part of the system which administers Clozaril, and have participated in drug trials, both inpatient and outpatient. Clinical research is interwoven with treatment and has providing data which has improved our acumen with our patients, as well as resulting in publication for the benefit of others.

Referrals

Patients are accepted from physicians, other clinicians, families, or by self referral. Following screening, if appropriate, patients are enrolled in the clinic. Further evaluation is undertaken upon entry into the clinic. For further information or to schedule an evaluation call 304.598-4214.