The Broken Brain: The Biological Revolution in Psychiatry (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Saul was not the first victim of misunderstanding about the nature of psychiatric illness, nor was he the last..." (more)
Key Phrases: tranquilizing chair, biologically oriented psychiatrist, somatic therapy, United States, Phineas Gage, William Norris (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Valuable to anyone who knows someone afflicted with a mental illness." -- New York Times

Product Description

The Broken Brain provides a complete and remarkably readable guide to the new scientific understanding of schizophrenia, severe depression, and other major mental disorders and to the new medications that have already returned hundreds of thousands to more normal lives. Dr. Andreasen's book is also a social manifesto that seeks to remove the shame, guilt, and punishment that are still attached to the mentally ill and, instead, to regard them "as human beings who deserve as much sensitivity and love as people who suffer from cancer, muscular dystrophy, or heart disease."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1st THUS edition (October 9, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060912723
• ISBN-13: 978-0060912727
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #506,312 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, August 16, 2000

By A Customer

A classic book written at the time psychiatry was undergoing a powerful shift in thinking. Psychiatry is still undergoing this shift, so if someone is interested in the history of the revolution THE BROKEN BRAIN needs to be consulted. It was written by one of the foremost thinkers and researchers in psychiatry today. This book documents the powerful new tools psychiatry had available to it by the 1980's. A recommended addition to any public or private library.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning choice for anyone interested in mood disorders, December 12, 1999

By A Customer

This book has been an invaluable resource to me and I recommend it to others who have questions about brain function. My family has a history of depression and other mental illnesses. Andreasen approaches the subject of brain chemistry, biology and treatment of illness in terms a layperson can easily understand. After reading The Broken Brain, I was compelled to learn more and am now enrolled in a Masters program in Psychology. Facinating, well written, and totally accessible.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Broken Brain, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This book gave me hope I had lost about a loved one with servere (delusional) depression. Knowledge is power, and this book is overflowing with easy-to-understand information. Dr. Andreasen's treatment of mental illness, with symathy and care is comforting. The only question I had, was "How much more valuable this book would be if it were updated (since 1985)?". There is mental illness in this world, that has gone unrecognized. We could all benefit from knowing more about this misunderstood, stigmatized illness