The Application of FAP to Persons with Serious Mental Illness

The prevalence of schizophrenia is similar to epilepsy and diabetes mellitus, showing a lifetime morbidity of about 1–1.5% of the general population (Anderson, Reiss, & Hogarty , 1986; Gottesman , 1991). According to these estimates, between four and six million people in the United States will at some point in their lifetimes experience an episode of schizophren ia (Anderson, Reiss, & Hogarty , 1986). While advancements in psychopharmacology have assisted in alleviating distressing symptoms associated with the disorder, a significant level of residual symptoms often remain that may vary in intensity over time and across individuals.