Description
By John Breeding
ISBN: 978-0-954221-87-4
Published: 2003
Pages: 460
Key Themes: anti-psychiatry, empowerment, medication, mental health services, social commentary
“A work of genius! Breeding has a unique understanding of the damage that psychiatry causes society.” – The Washington Post
Description
An intelligent and damning critique of modern psychology and the widespread use of psychiatric drugs. This book is an essential educational tool for the global mental health movement. A work of genius, the author has woven his own thoughts into a wide array of sources to expose the shadow of modern psychiatry. More importantly, he provides clear information and guidance for positive perspectives that support human transformation.
About the Author
Prof. John Breeding is a father of two from Texas, USA, he was born in 1952. He is a psychology professor who became aware of the problem of modern psychiatry whilst working in mental health services. He always intended to become a Catholic priest until his teens, this would account for the ‘spiritual’ aspect of his thinking. He is extremely active in campaigning on the negative effects that prescribed medication can have on youngsters in the US.
Book Extract
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope some day you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” — John Lennon
Imagine no coercion. Imagine a world of complete respect for yourself and for all other people, all forms of life. Imagine a world of people guided by a knowing of themselves as spiritual beings, full of the spirit of love and truth. Imagine a wisdom which understands that the inherent nature of human beings is that we are loving, cooperative, zestful, completely connected with each other and with all of life.
Imagine a world of wise humans who understand the nature of human distress, and that the effects of being physically or emotionally hurt include deviation from our inherent goodness into patterns of rigidity involving thoughtless doing of harm to self and others. Further imagine that wisdom including a clarity and respect for the natural, built-in ways we have of healing ourselves of these effects, and a knowing of ways and means to aid and encourage this natural process of healing.
Imagine a world of adults who take full responsibility not only for themselves but for the development of their children and the healing of their fellow adults who have been hurt. Imagine a world where people enjoy the visible gifts of our physical universe, but value even more highly the invisible gifts of spirit such as love, wisdom, truth and compassion.
Imagine a world of people who understand that the journey of a soul begins with the need of a child to develop mastery of the physical and social realms, and the importance of a tribe to nurture and provide stability as the energy of spirit is so fully invested in the world of form and relationship. Imagine further that these same people also understand that, once childhood mastery is developed, at the same time as the adolescent develops even greater mastery of the tribe’s social conditions he also experiences the tell-tale yearnings of the soul to master the inner life. Imagine the profound understanding of mature adults that the adolescent is going through a necessary process of questioning tribal beliefs and tribal authority as she begins the most important next step of spiritual maturity-that is, to become an independent individual who is not ruled by external authority, but by the authority of her own inner truth.
Ananda Conabady (verified owner) –
This book written by a famous American author describes to us the life from the eyes of a schizophrenic. It is a good lesson for everybody
Harold Roberts (verified owner) –
This book can be useful to those who want to learn about Mental Illness and who would like to deal with it. The necessity of Madness is a great tool that provides a good insight of the life one leads when suffering from mental illness.
John Collins (verified owner) –
This book is a true reflection of depression and Schizophrenia. It is easy to read. It learns to us much on the life.
Thomas Halliday (verified owner) –
John Breeding can shock the psychiatric community with his book “The necessity of Madness”, but will be really inspiring for the mental health survivor movement to speak up and speak out.
John Williamson (verified owner) –
John Breeding can shock the psychiatric community with his book “The necessity of Madness”, but will be really inspiring for the mental health survivor movement to speak up and speak out.
Alessia Thomas (verified owner) –
A clever description of mental illness and psychiatric oppression. Madness should not be feared or suppressed. On the contrary it should be supported. The author illustrates the need of finding a way to integrate madness in our life. The book also illustrates alternatives to current practices and describes the negative effects that prescribed medication can have on people. Very interesting to read.
Michael Heseltine (verified owner) –
This book will be a pioneering educational tool for the British Mental Health Movement.
Michael Heseltine (verified owner) –
This book will be a pioneering educational tool for the British Mental Health Movement.
Marie Best (verified owner) –
An ingenious account of a book that is anti-psychiatry by an American Professor who is a psychiatrist. This book is an educational tool for the British Mental Health Movement.
Fiona Whelpton (verified owner) –
This book suggests that psychiatry may not be the ‘answer’ to mental illness, and provides great insight into the lives of those living with mental illness. An enjoyable and interesting read for everyone.