About the Book Mad in America
The website robertwhitaker.org provides information on Mad in America, a book that chronicles the treatment of severely mentally ill individuals in the United States from colonial times to the present day. The book covers a range of topics, including the introduction of moral therapy by the Quakers in the early 1800s, eugenic attitudes towards the mentally ill in the first half of the 20th century, and the various somatic therapies embraced by psychiatry in the 1930s and 1940s, such as shock therapies and frontal lobotomy. Additionally, Mad in America explores the poor outcomes for schizophrenia patients in the modern era of psychopharmacology.
Contrary to conventional histories of psychiatry, which tout the revolutionary impact of antipsychotic medications such as Thorazine, Mad in America subjects this narrative to historical and scientific scrutiny. The book uncovers surprising information about the long-term outcomes of antipsychotics, revealing that they often increase the likelihood of chronic illness among individuals with schizophrenia. Furthermore, Mad in America investigates the marketing of new atypical antipsychotic medications in the 1990s and exposes scientific fraud at the heart of this enterprise.
Why this book is useful for readers
Mad in America is a crucial book for anyone interested in the history of mental health care in the United States and the current state of psychiatric treatments. The book provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the treatment of the severely mentally ill, from the early days of moral therapy to the modern era of psychopharmacology.
One of the book's significant contributions is its examination of the long-term outcomes of antipsychotic medications, which challenge the widely-held belief that these drugs have revolutionized care for individuals with schizophrenia. The book also sheds light on the marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies and the scientific fraud that has been perpetuated in the pursuit of profits.
Mad in America offers readers a thought-provoking and critical analysis of the history and current state of psychiatric treatments in the United States. By providing a balanced perspective on the limitations and failures of psychiatric care, the book empowers readers to become informed advocates for more humane and effective treatments for individuals living with mental illness.
Where you can buy a book
Mad in America by Robert Whitaker is available for purchase online and in brick-and-mortar bookstores. It can be found on major online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Book Depository. Additionally, the book may be available for purchase at local independent bookstores.
For those who prefer to read in a digital format, Mad in America or Mapmaker’s Wife is also available as an e-book on various platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play Books.
In addition to purchasing a physical or digital copy of the book, readers can also check if Mad in America is available at their local library. Many libraries offer e-book borrowing services as well, which can provide free access to the book for those with a library card.