For over two centuries, the medical profession has sought to describe and treat what was once termed 'madness.' Andrew Scull's Desperate Remedies offers a penetrating historical examination of psychiatry's evolving yet often problematic attempts to understand and mitigate mental illness, from early asylums and surgical interventions to the rise of Freud and modern pharmaceutical approaches, critically assessing their profound impact on patients.

Why You Should Read?

• Gain a comprehensive historical overview of psychiatric treatments, from early asylums and surgical interventions to the talking cure and modern antidepressants.
• Understand the foundational assumptions and theories that have shaped psychiatry's approach to mental disorder throughout history.
• Explore a deeply researched, critical perspective on the often dire consequences of medical interventions for mental health patients.
• Reflect on the enduring mystery of serious mental illness and society's ongoing struggle to effectively address it.