Anatomy of an Epidemic

Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America

By: Robert Whitaker

Narrated by: Ken Kliban

Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

In this astonishing and startling book, award-winning science and history writer Robert Whitaker investigates a medical mystery: Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the United States tripled over the past two decades? Every day, 1,100 adults and children are added to the government disability rolls because they have become newly disabled by mental illness, with this epidemic spreading most rapidly among our nations children. What is going on?

Anatomy of an Epidemic challenges listeners to think through that question themselves. First, Whitaker investigates what is known today about the biological causes of mental disorders. Do psychiatric medications fix chemical imbalances in the brain, or do they, in fact, create them? Researchers spent decades studying that question, and by the late 1980s, they had their answer. Listeners will be startled - and dismayed - to discover what was reported in the scientific journals.

Then comes the scientific query at the heart of this book: During the past 50 years, when investigators looked at how psychiatric drugs affected long-term outcomes, what did they find? Did they discover that the drugs help people stay well? Function better? Enjoy good physical health? Or did they find that these medications, for some paradoxical reason, increase the likelihood that people will become chronically ill, less able to function well, more prone to physical illness?

This is the first book to look at the merits of psychiatric medications through the prism of long-term results. By the end of this review of the outcomes literature, listeners are certain to have a haunting question of their own: Why have the results from these long-term studies - all of which point to the same startling conclusion - been kept from the public?

©2010 Robert Whitaker (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The timing of Robert Whitaker’s Anatomy of an Epidemic, a comprehensive and highly readable history of psychiatry in the United States, couldn’t be better." (Salon.com)

"Anatomy of an Epidemic offers some answers, charting controversial ground with mystery-novel pacing." (TIME.com)

"Whitaker tenderly interviews children and adults who bear witness to the ravages of mental illness, and testify to their newly found 'aliveness' when freed from the prison of mind-numbing drugs." (Daniel Dorman, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine)

I am definitely biased as I am a victim

amazing book and heartbreaking as someone who lived through this horror and continues to live through it . Having experienced much of the issues in the book I am definitely more inclined to believe the narrative the author puts forth as anecdotally it is true for me . well researched and delivered in a pleasing and interesting way . I finished it in less than 3 days . when I looked up criticism of the book which I assumed must be logically strong and plentiful otherwise we would have seen a dramatic shift in the treatment of mental health . I found very little valid hard data scientific criticism . mainly people thought he came to the wrong conclusion but they never claimed he was factually wrong .

Anatomy of an Epidemic

This book was an eye opener and very scary! When my youngest daughter was in the third grade her teacher said she had ADHD and wanted her to take drugs for it. Her father and I said "NO" and put her on a strict exercise program plus a time limit for almost everything. We bought and set timers in every room, so when the timer went off - she had to stop whatever she was doing. It worked! And the school wanted to know what we did? She's now in college and just finished two tours of duty in Iraq. I'm very proud of her.

Compelling book, boring narration...

I managed to make it through the entire book, but it's not easy to stay alert listening to the driest narration possible. I think I'm going to stick with fluffier nonfiction books for now on. Plus, I now know to truly listen to the audiobook sample and ask myself, "Could I listen to this narrator for 14 hours?" In the case of this book, I did, but it took the perseverance of a saint. I'd recommend you read this book and listen to something else.

Wow!

Masterfully written and well-researched! This is a must read for anyone taking psych meds or giving them to their children.

Flat earth applicant

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me to see that it is urgent to get off of psychotropic medications. I have gotten down to my lowest dosage of klonopin, but I was un able to completely withdraw from it, it was dangerous. I would like to help others to not go on the path I have been guided down; no informed consent, no education, no one telling me in the medical profession that I trusted, that my body is dangerously compromised by the long term usage of medications. As a veteran, and a concerned disabled and employable adult in his late 50's I am trying alternative means of health, homeopathy and non medical tools to balance my emotions.

Well researched and scary

Are we treating or creating mental health problems? This book will open your eyes. Very thought provoking.

Enlightening

This book was enlightening as it showcased all of the evidence and scientific studies we don't hear about through the media. Also highlighting the financial ties between drug companies and those experts promoting their use. It was very good and I wish that everyone would listen to it!

An important book for every physician

While it may be startling to read, it may also be the first step in becoming a true advocate for your patients’ wellbeing.

You will never think the same

Amazing book and I think essential for every person to read. We all know someone who has taken medication of been instructed to take medication for depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD. Reading this books makes you much more informed to make the decision about medications. At the very least, every parent should read this book before they allow their child to take any kind of medication.

Responsible clinicians who prescribe psychotropics are scientifically bound to read this book carefully.

As a physician I have always felt that the minimal use of medication for mentally ill patients was scientifically possible. Now having read this book I am extremely careful that their usage is consensually started and responsibly curtailed as for effective nonpharmacologic methods are brought to bear in each unique patient's case.b