Unshrunk: How The Mental Health Industry Took Over My Life - And My Fight to Get it Back

Unshrunk is a powerful memoir of one woman's battle against the commercial psychiatric industry and the role it plays in shaping what it means to be human. It is a gripping, essential read for anyone seeking a life beyond labels, medication, and disorder.
Unshrunk is a powerful memoir of one woman's battle against the commercial psychiatric industry and the role it plays in shaping what it means to be human. It is a gripping, essential read for anyone seeking a life beyond labels, medication, and disorder.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 20 March 2025
Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group

One of Lit Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2025, Girl, Interrupted for the Age of the Prescription Pill, is a compelling, important, and haunting story. The New York Times describes it as "a really moving and heart-rending story." Johann Hari, author of Stolen Focus and Lost Connections, calls it "a really moving and heart-rending story." Unshrunk is the story of a young woman who dared to be herself and a potent reminder of why human suffering can never be reduced to a diagnostic manual. It is a must-read for anyone probing the dark side of mental health treatment. Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation, calls it "a wonderful, incisive, and deeply moving book." Dr. James Davies, author of Cracked and Sedates, calls it "inspiring" and a "wake-up call about a deeply flawed system." Professor Joanna Moncrieff, author of Cracked and Sedates, calls it "a gripping, essential memoir." Laura Delano takes readers through the labyrinth of the American mental health system, where the best available care left her sicker, more desperate, and more lost than ever before. This beautiful, rageful, joyful book is a beacon for all seeking a life beyond labels, beyond medication, and beyond disorder. Jessica Nordell, author of The End of Bias: A Beginning, began to think about the forces at play, not just within her, but beyond her. At age fourteen, Laura Delano's parents took her to her first psychiatrist. At school, she was the model student, but at home, Laura felt an uncontrollable rage that she unleashed on family, friends, and herself. She was promptly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and started on a course of mood stabilizers. However, the treatment only made her worse. She became more and more isolated, and her symptoms worsened. She eventually realized that the treatment itself was the problem. She began to research alternative treatments and found a community of people who had been through similar experiences. She started to experiment with different therapies and found that some of them worked for her. She also started to advocate for herself and others with mental health issues. Through her journey, Laura learned that mental health is not just a medical condition, but a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach. She also learned that the treatment system is flawed and that there are many people who are not getting the care they need. Laura's book is a powerful and important tool for anyone who is struggling with mental health issues. It provides a glimpse into the labyrinth of the American mental health system and offers hope and inspiration for those who are seeking a better way. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of mental health and the need for change.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913183219