• Mad in America

  • Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill
  • By: Robert Whitaker
  • Narrated by: Chris Kayser
  • Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)

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Mad in America  By  cover art

Mad in America

By: Robert Whitaker
Narrated by: Chris Kayser
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Publisher's summary

Schizophrenics in the United States currently fare worse than patients in the world’s poorest countries. In Mad in America, medical journalist Robert Whitaker argues that modern treatments for the severely mentally ill are just old medicine in new bottles, and that we as a society are deeply deluded about their efficacy. The widespread use of lobotomies in the 1920s and 1930s gave way in the 1950s to electroshock and a wave of new drugs. In what is perhaps Whitaker’s most damning revelation, Mad in America examines how drug companies in the 1980s and 1990s skewed their studies to prove that new antipsychotic drugs were more effective than the old, while keeping patients in the dark about dangerous side effects.

A haunting, deeply compassionate audiobook now revised with a new introduction. Mad in America raises important questions about our obligations to the mad, the meaning of "insanity,” and what we value most about the human mind.

©2002 Robert Whitaker (P)2014 Audible Inc.

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Essential Reading to Understand Modern Psychiatry

How have the mentally ill been historically treated (and mistreated) by those who claimed to help? What has gone wrong with our current paradigm of care? Why are outcomes for the mentally ill worsening as psychiatric drug treatment is increasing? These critically important questions are answered by investigating the history of psychiatric treatment throughout America's past and then examining psychiatric and government literature to determine what has happened and why. A fascinating work of investigative research as well as essential reading/listening for anyone personally or professionally impacted by mental illness.

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A Real Life Horror Story

This book is used as our text in my vocational rehabilitation masters program. It's such a minblowingly revelational read, I understand why it was chosen.

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  • 05-29-17

Eye opener

So reveling
Every body that have a lpve one who suffers from mental illnesses MUST read this book.

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Crucial Reading, even now

Even though this book was written a while ago, all the information is still valid and relevant. I read his more recent book before this and they are both gems. Anyone who is on or has ever been offered mental health drugs should consider this required reading.

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Intriguing read

I had to read this novel for my neuroscience course. It was a very intriguing and educational read. It was hard to set the book down. The audible option was enjoyable and made listening in the car (or anywhere) easy and enjoyable!

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#MyNonFictionAddiction

A consice and well articulated volume. The material is enlightening; well arranged & organized as well. Some very difficult truths here. 😎

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Good information

As a mental health provider, I was SHOCKED by the information in this book. Rethinking my prescribing now

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Truly phenomenal

There needs to be a reckoning in psychiatry and this is the call. This is a must read for anyone and everyone that has a interest and concern for humanity

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Aren’t enough stars for this book to rate

This book has touched me deeply. The sorrow and loss I feel knowing there’s been an answer to mental challenges all this time. The spiderweb of these quacks aren’t going to ever see the light of day. Those who find this book will be given hope that there is a way out of this quagmire of medical imprisonment. Knowing these psychiatrists started this whole rouse with zero evidence has given me great pause and redemption for the work I’ve done on myself over the years. Please read this book in its entirety. Spread the word to others and get everyone you know off these chemical lobotomies now!

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Finally the truth about the “mistreatment”of mental illness

This book is brutally honest about the horrific treatment of people struggling with mental illness over the centuries, It segues into current day treatments through psychotropic medications and the corrupt, manipulated medical testing of new drugs on vulnerable, uninformed patients. A must read for everyone protect ourselves and our loved ones, and to promote wider understanding of mental illness and the treatment of it in our society.

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