Anatomy of an Epidemic

Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America

by

Paperback, 354 pages

English language

Published Aug. 8, 2010 by Broadway Books.

ISBN:
978-0-307-45242-9
Copied ISBN!

View on OpenLibrary

3 stars (2 reviews)

In this astonishing and startling book, award-winning science and history writer Robert Whitaker investigates a medical mystery: Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the United States tripled over the past two decades? Interwoven with Whitaker's groundbreaking analysis of the merits of psychiatric medications are the personal stories of children and adults swept up in this epidemic.

As Anatomy an Epidemic reveals, other societies have begun to alter their use of psychiatric medications and are now reporting much improved outcomes … so why can't such change happen here in the United States?

3 editions

reviewed Anatomy of an epidemic by Robert Whitaker

Review of 'Anatomy of an epidemic' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

Robert Whitaker knows enough science to cite studies in a compelling way, but after a while it becomes clear that he doesn't cite contrary studies or evidence, just cherry-picks what he wants to prove - that antidepressants and similar drugs are causing an increasing in mental illnesses. But then he even spends two pages speaking well of Scientology and their anti-psychiatry crusade. Scientology is a cruel and evil cult that literally tortures people with snake-oil due to their wacky beliefs that a shitty SciFi-author/crook vomited out. Speaking about that in an agreeable tone is absolutely unbelievable and immediate destroys any amount of credibility Whitaker has.

avatar for kevbot9000

rated it

4 stars