Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 750122

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Question about Robert Whitaker's work

Posted by Squiggles on April 15, 2007, at 20:43:41

I am sure many of you have read his
prize-winning book on the enduring mistreatment
of psychiatric patients. I think his book is
excellent, and I have no doubt that some of it
is sadly true, and that people have and do suffer from various lacunas in the field. BUT what I don't understand is why and how Mr. Whitaker took it upon himself to write so passionately about a topic which has never touched him personally in his own life. I find that suspicious for a journalist-- sort of like a commission to expose the worst of psychiatry through his journalistic talents.

Then again, shifts in worldviews have been a pervasive problem through my life. Ambiguity is my mind's shadow.

Squiggles

Re: Question about Robert Whitaker's work

Posted by med_empowered on April 16, 2007, at 0:55:33

In reply to Question about Robert Whitaker's work, posted by Squiggles on April 15, 2007, at 20:43:41

hi. I read an interview about "Mad In America", and what Whitaker said there was that he was actually doing a PRO-DRUG piece, and then his research led him in a whole new direction. It was the late 90s, and his initial thought was that he was going to do yet another "the atypicals are wonderful, witness the progressive onward march of science as it triumphs over madness" kind of deal. But, then he saw all kinds of problems with atypicals and ECT and psychiatry in general, and the groundwork for ""Mad In America" was created.

Re: Question about Robert Whitaker's work

Posted by Squiggles on April 16, 2007, at 6:10:39

In reply to Re: Question about Robert Whitaker's work, posted by med_empowered on April 16, 2007, at 0:55:33

So he had an interest in the subject to begin with--it would be interesting to see that interview.

Squiggles

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