psychiatry
The Myth of the Chemical Cure: A Critique of Psychiatric Drug Treatment
Psychiatry and experiences beyond consensus reality
“… there is no experiential learning about … unusual states. Psychiatric training does not require that trainee psychiatrists explore their own nature, through counselling or meditation, for instance.” Writing in Asylum Magazine , Dave Barton says: “This article begins with two of my experiences…
Read more
Children Who Witness Violence at Home
“Interpersonal violence, especially violence experienced by children, is the largest single preventable cause of mental illness.”Steve Sharfstein, 2006. In De-Medicalising Misery: Psychiatry, Psychology and the Human Condition , Chapter 9 – Children Who Witness Violence at Home – is written by clinical psychologist Arlene Vetere. It begins: “The…
Read more
Drop the Disorder! Challenging the culture of psychiatric diagnosis
Bad things happen and can drive you crazy
“Of 701 people who had taken antipsychotics, far more (76%) believed their difficulties were the result of life events and circumstances than subscribed to a ‘medical model’ perspective (17%).” As published in the journal Psychiatry Research, the full title of…
Read more
How competent (really) are mental health practitioners?
This short, animated video (see below) from David Dunning concerns the “Dunning-Kruger effect”. It’s well worth watching because the question of competence has (of course) strong relevance to trainee mental health practitioners of all types, to the training of mental…
Read more
How Drug Company Money Has Corrupted Psychiatry
“After nearly three decades as a member it is with a mixture of pleasure and disappointment that I submit this letter of resignation from the American Psychiatric Association. The major reason for this action is my belief that I am…
Read more
Can’t You Hear Them?
“On finishing this book my initial instinct was to re-read it in order to appreciate its insights for a second time. Can’t You Hear Them? is not only a work of impressive scholarship but a compelling, beautifully-written story of human…
Read more
Netherworld – a film by Kevin P. Miller
You can watch this 8 minute film below. The promotional description says: “Natalie Gehrki was a creative spirit and an accomplished writer and artist. This short film, ‘Netherworld,’ Narrated by Academy Award winning actress Tilda Swinton, exposes how her experience…
Read more




