The Inexact Science of Mental Health

This book raises more questions about mental health and schizophrenia than answers. It is clear that the field of mental health is far from an exact science and diagnosis and treatment are both problematic. How often do psychiatrists agree on the same diagnosis ? How often are the labels assigned to patients changed ? Does medication improve patients or make them worse ? You would think that a book that raises more questions than answers is not useful but a sceptical and questioning essay on the “science” of mental health serves a purpose. Much in the field is still in dispute !

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14 people found this helpful

Absolutely brilliant

thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommended it to everyone I know. the narration is fabulous and content clearly well researched. it looks at so much more than one 'illness' or 'label' and takes a deep dive into the realities and stories of those living with and also having loved ones living with severe mental health issues. This author is amazing.

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2 people found this helpful

Invaluable read

What a great insight into those dealing with and affected by mental health issues. Written with such compassion.

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Hooked .

This was a very interesting listen . The authors voice was relaxing which allowed the story to be understood as well as heard.

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Brilliant, thought provoking, horrifying at times, compassionate throughout.

I'm lucky enough to be one of Nathan's students on the creative writing MA at Bath Spa University. A discussion in class about the nature of perception and the brain's methods of parsing the world led to Nathan sending me his book. As I'm lazy, I bought the audio book instead and was delighted to hear my captain my captain's south westerly tones.

His movement between true life stories, research, his own speculations and his experience as a mental health nurse is masterful. I usually avoid non-fiction due to just how dry it is. Filer injects this with vivid and startling story that is all the more moving when I recall this is true.

I'm biased, but I'm also even more certain I'm in a master's hands when I attend my Tuesday morning workshops. I aspire, not to write such books, the quantity of research that went into this book is humbling, but I do hope to write half as well, half as honestly, and even a quarter as passionately.

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Eye Openner

I absolutely loved. It gave me a better understanding about Mental Health I including my own illness.

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4 people found this helpful

So called Schizophrenia

This book provides a lot of evidence to question the diagnosis of schizophrenia and points out that medication for the condition often gives the patient another illness.
It is a must read for any psychiatrist or GP

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3 people found this helpful

Absolutely brilliant.

This is an amazing book; I read it last year (under the title Heartlands), but was very happy to download so I can listen again and again. Brilliant insight, fascinating theories and heart wrenching stories of people experiencing schizophrenia. You won’t be sorry you listened.

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2 people found this helpful

Informative and moving

A great combination of case histories and factual detail .... incredibly moving stories of those lives that have suffered and/or experienced the effect of mental illness, which my family has. No one who has not spent time, visited or worked, in a psyc ward can understand the complexity but this book has come so close. Normal people and shattered lives; drugs that turn loved one into zombies; nature or nurture cause; search for reasons.... all are addressed in a balanced way.

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1 person found this helpful

I loved this book

I’m studying a mental health module and found this book so interesting and insightful.
Thank you for this informative well-made, well-read book. I really enjoyed listening:)

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1 person found this helpful