This book exposes the traditional view that psychiatric drugs target underlying diseases, or correct chemical imbalances, as a fraud. It traces the emergence of this view and suggests that it was adopted, not because there was any evidence to support it, but because it served the vested interests of the psychiatric profession, the pharmaceutical industry and the modern state. Instead it is proposed that psychiatric drugs 'work' by creating altered mental states, which may suppress the symptoms of psychiatric disorders, along with other intellectual and emotional functions. Research on antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers and stimulants is examined to demonstrate this thesis and the pros and cons of using the different sorts of drugs are discussed. It is suggested that acknowledging the real nature of psychiatric drugs would lead to a more democratic practice of psychiatry.
This paperback edition contains a new chapter on Stimulant Drugs and ADHD.
Shortlisted for the 2009 Mind Book of the Year
'A revolutionary book written with the calm assurance of someone who knows her subject matter – and the people involved - extremely well. Essential reading for anyone interested in mental health.' - Dorothy Rowe, www.dorothyrowe.com.au
'This is a sober and thoughtful book. I found it very engaging and worth the effort to be better informed about a subject that affects many of our clients and impinges on our professional lives as therapists.' - Existential Analysis (Society for Existential Analysis)
'...Joanna Moncrieff, a practising psychiatrist and academic, has produced a devastating critique of the use of psychiatric drugs...This courageous book has the potential to revolutionise psychiatric practice and the care of people with many forms of mental distress. Many in the therapy professions will, I am sure, celebrate its message.' - Rachel Freeth, Therapy Today
'This book does what it says on the cover. It is a concise, powerful, well-referenced and well-constructed critique of psychiatric drug treatment...If I had the power to, I would make it essential reading on all counselling and psychotherapy trainings.' - Pete Sanders, Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal
'It should be compulsory reading for any person who thinks that people's behaviours and experiences are caused by chemical imbalances in their brain and that psychiatric medications treat these imbalances – psychiatrists, other professionals and people who are taking or considering taking these drugs...Read and share the book and speak out….come on - the emperor has no clothes!' - Guy Holmes, Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy
'This remarkable book should be required reading...as the author exposes misconceptions and assumptions about biological mental illness...[it] is far from one-sided, and argues that rather than discarding drugs we should use them properly and concentrate on their effects rather than upon traditional but ultimately unscientific assumptions.' - Stuart Sorensen, Community Care
'This is a book that should change psychiatry forever.' Mental Health
The Disease Centred Model of Drug Action in Psychiatry
An Alternative Drug Centred Model of Drug Action
Physical Treatments and the Disease Centred Model
The Arrival of the New Drugs and the Influence of Interest Groups
The Birth of the Idea of an 'Antipsychotic'
Are Neuroleptics Effective and Specific? A Review of the Evidence
What do Neuroleptics Really Do? A Drug Centred Approach
The Construction of the 'Antidepressant'
Is There Such a Thing as an Antidepressant? A Review of the Evidence
What do Antidepressants Really Do?
The Idea of Special Drugs for Manic Depression
Evidence on the Action of Lithium and Mood Stabilisers
Democratic Drug Treatment: Implications of the Drug Centred Model
The Myth of the Chemical Cure
JOANNA MONCIREFF is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mental Health Sciences at University College London, UK. She is co-founder of the Critical Psychiatry Network and writes critically about the use and misuse of psychiatric drug treatments, their history, and the influences that have promoted them.
Description
This book exposes the traditional view that psychiatric drugs target underlying diseases, or correct chemical imbalances, as a fraud. It traces the emergence of this view and suggests that it was adopted, not because there was any evidence to support it, but because it served the vested interests of the psychiatric profession, the pharmaceutical industry and the modern state. Instead it is proposed that psychiatric drugs 'work' by creating altered mental states, which may suppress the symptoms of psychiatric disorders, along with other intellectual and emotional functions. Research on antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers and stimulants is examined to demonstrate this thesis and the pros and cons of using the different sorts of drugs are discussed. It is suggested that acknowledging the real nature of psychiatric drugs would lead to a more democratic practice of psychiatry.
This paperback edition contains a new chapter on Stimulant Drugs and ADHD.
Reviews
Shortlisted for the 2009 Mind Book of the Year
'A revolutionary book written with the calm assurance of someone who knows her subject matter – and the people involved - extremely well. Essential reading for anyone interested in mental health.' - Dorothy Rowe, www.dorothyrowe.com.au
'This is a sober and thoughtful book. I found it very engaging and worth the effort to be better informed about a subject that affects many of our clients and impinges on our professional lives as therapists.' - Existential Analysis (Society for Existential Analysis)
'...Joanna Moncrieff, a practising psychiatrist and academic, has produced a devastating critique of the use of psychiatric drugs...This courageous book has the potential to revolutionise psychiatric practice and the care of people with many forms of mental distress. Many in the therapy professions will, I am sure, celebrate its message.' - Rachel Freeth, Therapy Today
'This book does what it says on the cover. It is a concise, powerful, well-referenced and well-constructed critique of psychiatric drug treatment...If I had the power to, I would make it essential reading on all counselling and psychotherapy trainings.' - Pete Sanders, Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal
'It should be compulsory reading for any person who thinks that people's behaviours and experiences are caused by chemical imbalances in their brain and that psychiatric medications treat these imbalances – psychiatrists, other professionals and people who are taking or considering taking these drugs...Read and share the book and speak out….come on - the emperor has no clothes!' - Guy Holmes, Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy
'This remarkable book should be required reading...as the author exposes misconceptions and assumptions about biological mental illness...[it] is far from one-sided, and argues that rather than discarding drugs we should use them properly and concentrate on their effects rather than upon traditional but ultimately unscientific assumptions.' - Stuart Sorensen, Community Care
'This is a book that should change psychiatry forever.' Mental Health
Contents
The Disease Centred Model of Drug Action in Psychiatry
An Alternative Drug Centred Model of Drug Action
Physical Treatments and the Disease Centred Model
The Arrival of the New Drugs and the Influence of Interest Groups
The Birth of the Idea of an 'Antipsychotic'
Are Neuroleptics Effective and Specific? A Review of the Evidence
What do Neuroleptics Really Do? A Drug Centred Approach
The Construction of the 'Antidepressant'
Is There Such a Thing as an Antidepressant? A Review of the Evidence
What do Antidepressants Really Do?
The Idea of Special Drugs for Manic Depression
Evidence on the Action of Lithium and Mood Stabilisers
Democratic Drug Treatment: Implications of the Drug Centred Model
The Myth of the Chemical Cure
Authors
JOANNA MONCIREFF is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mental Health Sciences at University College London, UK. She is co-founder of the Critical Psychiatry Network and writes critically about the use and misuse of psychiatric drug treatments, their history, and the influences that have promoted them.
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