Users and Abusers of Psychiatry
A Critical Look at Psychiatric Practice
1st Edition
Published on 19. June 2000
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-415-21155-0 (ISBN)
Description
Users and Abusers of Psychiatry is a radically different, critical account of the day-to-day practice of psychiatry. Using real-life examples and her own experience as a clinical psychologist, Lucy Johnstone argues that the traditional way of treating mental illness can often exacerbate people's original difficulties leaving them powerless, disabled and distressed.
In this completely revised and updated second edition, she draws on a range of evidence to present a very different understanding of psychiatric breakdown than that found in standard medical textbooks.
Users and Abusers of Psychiatry is a challenging but ultimately inspiring read for all who are involved in mental health - whether as professionals, students, service users, relatives or interested lay people.
In this completely revised and updated second edition, she draws on a range of evidence to present a very different understanding of psychiatric breakdown than that found in standard medical textbooks.
Users and Abusers of Psychiatry is a challenging but ultimately inspiring read for all who are involved in mental health - whether as professionals, students, service users, relatives or interested lay people.
Reviews / Votes
"With lucid simplicity she sets out the conflict at the heart of psychiatry... Lucy is an outstanding psychologist, one of the leaders in her generation of psychologists." - Dorothy Rowe, From the Foreword'Essential reading for those involved, or with an interest in the mental health field' - Social Work Education
'An excellent expose of the psychiatric system' - Changes
'For brevity, clarity and insightful honesty, this contemporary introduction to the ongoing struggle for a better future in our field is hard to beat.' - Changes
'This is an immensely enjoyable book that can be described, with only slight exaggeration,as a saturation bombing raid over the company funded territory of biomedical psychiatry.' - Mental Health Nursing
'The best contemporary expression to the critique of the psychiatric profession' - Asylum
'Her analysis is calm, thorough and persuasive...Read it, think about it, argue with it, use it.' - Openmind
'This is an immensely enjoyable book that can be described, with only slight exaggeration, as a saturation bombing raid over the drug company funded territory of biomedical psychiatry...Johnstone was a hospital-based clinical psychologist for 11 years....according her views a great deal of credibility. She is evidently a woman of great compassion, concern and fighting spirit.' Mental Health Care.
'She makes an impressive case for her views...the effect of the whole body of evidence she presents is overwhelming...Users and abusers of psychiatry is a model of a sophisticated critique of the mainstream medical model....I recommend it highly.' - Lifewatch.
'If you are looking for an overview of today's mental health system and an understanding of how it fails the patient, then look no further - this is the book for you.' - The Survivor.
'The greatest strength of the book is that is simplifies and clarifies what can often seem a bewilderingly complex area.' - Clinical Psychology Forum. 'Essential reading for those involved, or with an interest in the mental health field' - Social Work Education
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
544 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-21155-0 (9780415211550)
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
Additional editions
Book
06/2000
1st Edition
Routledge
€65.79
Article exhausted; check different version
Persons
Lucy Johnstone spent 11 years working in the NHS as a clinical psychologist before moving to her present post as Senior lecturer in clinical psychology & counselling at UWE, Bristol. She has published widely in the area of critical approaches to mental health.
Content
Acknowledgements. Glossary. 1. The Story of a Depressed Housewife. 2. The Rescue Game. 3. The Sick Role. 4. The Treatment Barrier. 5. Women's and Men's Role Problems and Psychiatry. 6. The Professionals and their Training. 7. A Brief History of Psychiatry. 8. Physical Treatments and the Role of the Drug Industry. 9. Resistance in the System. 10. Psychiatry and Wider Society. 11. Pointers to the Future. Notes. Index.