
Wanderings
A Psychiatrist Reflects on People, Places, and Health
Ezra E. H. Griffith(Author)
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published on 7. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
262 pages
979-8-89455-140-1 (ISBN)
Description
Barbados, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Italy,
Morocco: Over the course of 5 years, Dr. Ezra E. H. Griffith, Professor
Emeritus of Psychiatry and African American Studies at Yale University,
visited these countries and more, bearing witness to and documenting acts of
living in different eras and cultures. Leveraging academic literature and
anthropological discourse, he considered the psychosocial experiences of the
individuals he encountered.
Now, more than 50 of these brief
reflections-originally published as columns in the American Psychiatric
Association's Psychiatric News-have been gathered in this
qualitative, culture-based collection of narratives. Organized by theme, the
pieces explore topics that include
* Matters of race
* Contending with disability
* The effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic
* Sacred spaces and spirituality as a method of
controlling the environment that surrounds us
* Artistic expression as a
means for seeking freedom
In addition to the columns, each chapter
features new commentary and clinical observations as well as questions that
help readers tie the very personal narratives to their own clinical work.
Throughout, Griffith uses techniques of biography, photography, and medical
anthropology to provide insights into theorizing about current themes in the
social world.
Wanderings: A Psychiatrist Reflects on People,
Places, and Health offers no hypotheses to prove or disprove, nor
does it evaluate whether the individuals presented have done things the
"right" or "wrong" way. Instead, it invites psychiatrists and other
clinicians to consider the social worlds in which their patients are
embedded and the sociocultural factors that influence health and well-being.
Most importantly, it underscores each individual's fundamental humanity and
dignity.
Morocco: Over the course of 5 years, Dr. Ezra E. H. Griffith, Professor
Emeritus of Psychiatry and African American Studies at Yale University,
visited these countries and more, bearing witness to and documenting acts of
living in different eras and cultures. Leveraging academic literature and
anthropological discourse, he considered the psychosocial experiences of the
individuals he encountered.
Now, more than 50 of these brief
reflections-originally published as columns in the American Psychiatric
Association's Psychiatric News-have been gathered in this
qualitative, culture-based collection of narratives. Organized by theme, the
pieces explore topics that include
* Matters of race
* Contending with disability
* The effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic
* Sacred spaces and spirituality as a method of
controlling the environment that surrounds us
* Artistic expression as a
means for seeking freedom
In addition to the columns, each chapter
features new commentary and clinical observations as well as questions that
help readers tie the very personal narratives to their own clinical work.
Throughout, Griffith uses techniques of biography, photography, and medical
anthropology to provide insights into theorizing about current themes in the
social world.
Wanderings: A Psychiatrist Reflects on People,
Places, and Health offers no hypotheses to prove or disprove, nor
does it evaluate whether the individuals presented have done things the
"right" or "wrong" way. Instead, it invites psychiatrists and other
clinicians to consider the social worlds in which their patients are
embedded and the sociocultural factors that influence health and well-being.
Most importantly, it underscores each individual's fundamental humanity and
dignity.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
VA
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
39 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
494 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-89455-140-1 (9798894551401)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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E-Book
12/2025
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
€47.99
Available for download
Person
Ezra E. H. Griffith, M.D., is Professor Emeritus of
Psychiatry and African American Studies at Yale University, New Haven,
Connecticut
Psychiatry and African American Studies at Yale University, New Haven,
Connecticut
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword.
Building Theory and Practice from Our Backgrounds
Introduction. Making
of this Text
Chapter 1. Considering Race Matters
Chapter 2. Pursuing
Dignity
Chapter 3. Facing Disability
Chapter 4. Confronting the
Covid Pandemic
Chapter 5. Talking about Sacred Spaces
Chapter 6.
Focusing on Place
Chapter 7. Seeking Freedom through the
Arts
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Foreword.
Building Theory and Practice from Our Backgrounds
Introduction. Making
of this Text
Chapter 1. Considering Race Matters
Chapter 2. Pursuing
Dignity
Chapter 3. Facing Disability
Chapter 4. Confronting the
Covid Pandemic
Chapter 5. Talking about Sacred Spaces
Chapter 6.
Focusing on Place
Chapter 7. Seeking Freedom through the
Arts
Epilogue