Customer Reviews

Peaking Out: How My Mind Broke Free from the Delusions in Psychiatry

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I just finished reading "Peaking Out". I loved it! It was one of those rare books that I could read at bedtime, like a novel, and learn stuff pertinent to my academic interests, without feeling that I'm taking my work to bed! For me, it was like a horror story for intellectuals! I really related to the story of a graduating Ph.D. student starting an exciting Menninger post-doctoral program, because I'm at that stage in my doctoral program (unfortunately, however, much older, though probably not a great deal less naive).It's a story Al recounts to a friend about how he became a psychiatric survivor, because the Menninger Institute, and his wife at the time, thought that Al's very fundamental critiques of psychiatric practice and theory -- as he amateurishly presented them at that time, perhaps -- must be an indication of madness. The subtext, of course, is the incredible defensiveness -- even "cultness" -- of the psychiatrists, but also, apparently, of the psychologists, who seemed (cont. next review

"Peaking Out" is an excellent read! It's a critical and humorous evaluation of psychiatry
and clinical diagnosis. Al Siebert's personal story illuminates some of the central
problems that psychiatry has difficulty coming to terms with; namely, the suffering its
"help" often causes!

Several times while reading "Peaking Out" I caught my mind wandering into thoughts of difficult situations I had to deal with, and suddenly realized that I could adapt the "survivor" attitude: in a flash I knew that I could reframe my perception of a situation and approach it creatively, that I could respond to it instead of reacting. I found myself wanting to read more, to reinforce a healthier attitude toward conflict.

The "survivor personality" Siebert develops in his life and work is a good model for people working through life's expected problems--it can provide strength when the going gets rough. Cultivating the ability to approach crisis as a challenge that can lead to growth and transformation is a nice alternative to feeling helpless and victimized.

Al Siebert's book The Resiliency Advantage helped me save my sanity in a recent situation at work, and also led me to other leads for productive and unusual reading.

I bought this book, curious to know more about an unusual mind . I've been interested in positive psychology for a few years, but in the field I work in, it's more a question of survival than happiness, though the two are very interestingly related.

I've been thinking about studying psychology after I retire. This book sure gives an inside picture of what can happen. Expect the unexpected.

I had some similar experiences to his. I read it after overcoming some of these with resilience, then was encouraged to read about his experiences and how he overcame obstacles and has been able to help others in resilience.

I loved it! One of the rare books to read at bedtime, yet learn important stuff, without feeling your taking work to bed! I really related to the story of a graduating Ph.D. starting an exciting postdoc. Al recounts how he became a psychiatric survivor: people at the research institute, and his wife at the time, thought his very fundamental critiques of psychiatry must mean he was mad. The book shows the incredible defensiveness, even cultness, of psychiatrists and psychologists. The book reads very easily, like a novel, but dealing with the most important issues about society's new priests: psychiatrists. The book will be especially fun for psychologists, since Al talks about what was hot in that field. The books is a horror story dealing with the unthinkable: being declared insane, where everything you say or do is interpreted as a symptom of insanity. What would *you* do if it happened to you? M. McCubbin, U. de Montreal

This book helped me find a psychological turning point. You may have felt alientated, unloved - odd. When you have finished this book - engrossing from the start - you will realise that you are fine. This is all about Al Siebert and a simple story ... the afterward is helpful, saying he was perhaps more manic than comes across in the book ... but the clarity with which he wrote a personal event helped me "peak" in understanding. A riveting and useful read.