Psychology counselor and Doctor of Psychology Ann Olson, a graduate of Pepperdine and Alliant International University who currently works as a psychology counselor with the mentally ill in Fresno, California, a writer and poet who herself suffers from schizophrenia, announces the upcoming release of the book, Illuminating Schizophrenia: Insights Into the Uncommon Mind, scheduled for November 1, 2013 in eBook and paperback format. Through this book, Olson endeavors to provide both families and professionals, as well those with schizophrenia, deeper insight into this enigmatic disorder.

Olson writes from a unique perspective in that she explores schizophrenia from an academic viewpoint, having taught psychology at the college level, is a professional counselor for the mentally ill, but also examines the topic of schizophrenia from a personal perspective, with significant others in her life who have suffered from schizophrenia, in addition to her own experience of schizophrenia. Olson helps the reader to more fully understand the relationship between psychoses and various types of hallucinations associated with schizophrenia, in addition to ensuing delusions, providing insight into how and why they develop.

A significant sub-theme of Olson's schizophrenia book involves a closer look at the stigma of mental illness and what those with mental illness, as well as family members, can do about it. Her writing reflects deep compassion for the mentally ill and their families. By means of documenting her life experience with schizophrenia and analyzing it psychologically, Dr. Olson documents what schizophrenia means for the individual. Additionally, the book serves as a foundation for hope for those with schizophrenia, in that even when an individual is diagnosed with a serious mental illness, it is possible to overcome the stigma and difficulties of the disorder and lead a productive life.

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