Madness and Subjectivity: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Psychosis in the West and India

This book explores the different structures of subjectivity underlying the narratives of schizophrenia, spirits, ghosts, and deities in rural North India, challenging monoculturalism in trauma theory and critiquing the Global Mental Health Movement. It is a fascinating read for students interested in mental health, critical psychology, and Indian culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking new work delves into empirical findings from rural North India, shedding light on the intricate structures of subjectivity underlying narratives of schizophrenia, spirits, ghosts, and deities. By unraveling the complexities of madness, the author delves into the cultural disparities in understanding and experiencing madness, exploring how modern insanity is often treated as a clinical disorder. However, this book goes beyond that, revealing how madness has historically shaped our understanding of knowledge and self-knowledge.

The author begins by delving into the theoretical realm, examining how the schizophrenic personifies the fractures in modern Western thought, providing insight into why the category of schizophrenia continues to endure despite decades of intense debate. Subsequently, the author turns her attention to the narratives of individuals residing in the Himalayan Mountains of rural India, unveiling the discursive conditions that animate their stories surrounding what psychology refers to as psychosis. Through a critical lens, she critiques the monoculturalism prevalent in trauma theory and challenges the ongoing dominance of the Global Mental Health Movement in the Global South.

By examining the study of madness through the lens of two distinct cultures, this book offers a captivating exploration for students interested in mental health, critical psychology, and Indian culture. It provides valuable insights into the ways of thinking and being of these communities, shedding light on the complexities and nuances of human experience. Through its rich and thought-provoking content, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of psychology and beyond.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 217 x 139 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367195717