Desperate Remedies: Psychiatry and the Mysteries of Mental Illness

A compelling exploration of psychiatry's history, Desperate Remedies reveals the assumptions and theories behind therapy and the battle between psychiatry and society. It was named a book of the year by The Times and Daily Telegraph and shortlisted for the Hughes Prize.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Desperate Remedies is a captivating and eye-opening book that has been recognized as a book of the year by prestigious publications such as The Times and Daily Telegraph. It is a profound chronicle of faulty science, false promises, arrogance, greed, and shocking disregard for the well-being of patients suffering from mental disorders. Written by acclaimed sociologist Andrew Scull, this masterful work sheds light on the troubled history of psychiatry, spanning over two hundred years.

Throughout this journey, Scull delves into the various attempts made by the medical profession to understand and treat mental illness. He explores the age of asylums, surgical and chemical interventions, the rise and fall of Freud and the talking cure, and the contemporary era of drug companies and antidepressants.

What emerges from this comprehensive exploration is a sobering realization: serious mental illness remains a profound mystery that is, in some ways, no closer to being solved than it was at the start of the twentieth century. The often vain and rash attempts to come to terms with this enigma have frequently resulted in dire consequences for the patient.

Desperate Remedies is a deeply researched and lucidly conveyed book that provides a definitive new account of psychiatry's and society's battle with mental illness. It challenges the assumptions and theories behind the therapy and offers a critical analysis of the field. Through its pages, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by those who suffer from mental disorders, as well as the societal and cultural factors that contribute to their stigmatization and marginalization.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in mental health, sociology, or social justice. It is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the urgent need for a more compassionate and effective approach to mental illness.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141996455