Review
Ross examines the history of institutions and how people suffering from mental illness have been treated, where we are today with our laws and why, and the search for proper treatment for those who have the disease. Many studies, both past and present, along with statistics and probable causes for the disease are also documented. There is also a chapter on various medications, treatments and what has worked, what has not and why. This book provides the reader with the answers to many questions - including the "whys" about the disease.
More importantly, the author has shown, through studies and statistics, how society is in need of advocates to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
A source of comfort is found at the end of the book where there is a list of famous people who have suffered from mental illness and their accomplishments. For anyone who seeks answers, insight, resource material, or just wants to know more about schizophrenia, this is a great book. It has inspired me to be more public about my experiences and to continue to do all that I can to help change laws, regulations, and to eliminate the stigma that goes along with mental illness. -- Schizophrenia Digest, Fall, 2008
Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery - Society's Shame by Marvin Ross offers a frank discussion of the "legacy of ignorance" surrounding the disease and how society continues to stigmatize those affected by it. The book also provides a detailed description of schizophrenia itself, including treatment strategies and theories of causation making it a helpful and empowering guide." --Abilities Magazine Issue 77, Winter 2008/09
Product Description
It is an ideal reference and support for family members and others interested in this disease. It is also suitable reading for students in health care fields (including medicine and nursing), psychology, social work and any occupation that needs factual information on schizophrenia.
"This book is a powerful resource for anyone looking for answers and insight into the world of mental illness." Schizophrenia Digest Magazine, Fall 2008
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Jean Desclin MD PhD describes Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery - Society's Shame as a "critical and lucid review" He goes on to say that the book demystifies a number of superstitions and false beliefs about schizophrenia and that it explains the causes of mental illness that are not well explained by what he terms "so-called professionals". Here is his review (in French)
Robert Frip of Toronto had this to say about the book on Amazon.com "This hard-edged blueprint takes a logical approach, giving a much-needed critique of historical myth as well as all too recent quasi-scientific blunderings that may have caused decades of delay in the search for rational treatment for this far-from-rational and thoroughly misunderstood disease. Too much received opinion on this subject has been wrong, and Ross correctly dedicates considerable space to expunging error. " Read the full review
From Abilities Magazine - Issue 77, Winter 2008/09
"a helpful and empowering guide"
From the preface by David Dawson MD, FRCP(C) - former Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and former psychiatrist in chief, Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, both in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
"Marvin Ross' commendable book is a survey examining schizophrenia in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia. As he writes, the mentally ill of many western countries are not faring as well as they might have in 1960 or 1970, despite our advances in knowledge, treatment, and our nations' wealth"
