How
to Become a
Schizophrenic
The Case Against Biological Psychiatry
by John
Modrow
Ordering information Order now
Author notes Table of contents
|
|
How
to Become a The Case Against Biological Psychiatry by John
Modrow Ordering information Order now Author notes Table of contents |
How to Become a Schizophrenic is divided into three parts.
In Part I the author utilizes the ideas of Harry Stack Sullivan, Theodore Lidz, Gregory Bateson, R.D. Scott
and P.L. Ashworth, W. Ronald D. Fairbairn, Anton Boisen and others—as well as
his own experiences—to construct a comprehensive theory which explains how and why people become
schizophrenic.
Part
II is the story of the author’s own schizophrenic episode—a gripping
novelette similar to
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden—and a dramatic illustration of the
theories and principles formulated in the first part of the book. Rather than an
illness, schizophrenia is seen as the culmination of a series of progressively
worsening personality disorders spanning three or four generations.
In Part III
the author critically examines the evidence which purportedly proves that
schizophrenia is a disease. He cites fact after fact showing why it is highly
unlikely that schizophrenia is an actual organic illness. Finally, he explains
why—despite its essential unsoundness—the medical model (or disease
hypothesis) is universally accepted.
In this present 2003 edition the author shows that the newest “wonder drugs” now used in treating schizophrenia—e.g., clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon)—are every bit as bad as the older chemical lobotomies they have replaced.
“...an impressive piece
of work.”
— Thomas S. Szasz, M.D., author of The
Myth of Mental Illness
“...demonstrates the
physical, psychological, and social harm resulting from the label schizophrenic
and the continuous need to reexamine the underpinnings and attitudes of
psychiatry.”
— Booklist
“Like Richard Wright in Black
Boy, Modrow compels the rehumanization of human beings who are dehumanized
by their social system.”
— Bruce E. Levine, Ph.D., author of Commonsense
Rebellion
“Of all the books written
about schizophrenia ... none is more comprehensive, accurate, thorough, and
clearer in style and statement than John Modrow’s classic How to Become a Schizophrenic. Modrow, who is a recovered
schizophrenic and is, perhaps, the unrecognized and unappreciated world’s
foremost authority on this disorder, has performed a truly invaluable service
and has made the major contribution to our understanding of the causes and cures
of this pseudodisease.”
— Robert A. Baker, Ph.D., former chairman of the Department of Psychology,
University of Kentucky; author of They
Call It Hypnosis, Hidden Memories: Voices and Visions from Within and Mind Games: Are We Obsessed with Therapy?
“One of the best things
I’ve read on the subject...I am struck by the richness of the ideas and the
research and the soundness of the conclusions.”
— Peter R. Breggin, M.D., founder and director of the International Center for
the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology; author of Toxic
Psychiatry and Talking Back to Prozac
“...a very important
contribution to the field.”
— Theodore Lidz, M.D., former chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Yale
University; author of The Origin and
Treatment of Schizophrenic Disorders and Schizophrenia
and the Family
“...intellectually
powerful...”
— Paul Gotkin, coauthor of Too
Much Anger, Too Many Tears
“...well researched and
easily readable (a difficult combination to achieve)!”
— Judi Chamberlin, author of On Our Own:
Patient-Controlled Alternatives to the Mental Health System
“...meticulously
challenges all the major research that claims that schizophrenia is a biological
disorder.”
— Ty C. Colbert, Ph.D., author of Broken
Brains or Wounded Hearts: What Causes Mental Illness
“...clear, precise...Modrow provides more than reasonable
doubt as to the medical model...”
— Matt Lee, Ph.D., University of Sussex
“Before reading the book,
I was largely convinced that schizophrenia was primarily a brain disease. Modrow
has forced me to take a second look, however, and reconsider the psychological
causes of the condition.”
— The Vancouver Sun
“...it is ennobling that
despite bad and discouraging treatment he was able to understand himself and
others, and share that acquired knowledge in an accurate and helpful way.”
— Bertram P. Karon, Ph.D., professor of clinical psychology, Michigan State
University; author of Psychotherapy of
Schizophrenia
“...gives clear proof
that there’s real hope. Truly a remarkable book!”
— Alan Caruba, Bookviews
Available through:
$25.95
Format: Paperback
Size: 6 x 9
Pages: 432
ISBN: 0-595-24299-5
Published: Feb-2003
Charge to: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
May be ordered
through your local bookstore.
©2003 John Modrow
All Rights Reserved