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Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in Our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis
As the recovery research continues to accumulate, we find that the mainstream understanding of schizophrenia and psychosis has lost nearly all
* After over 100 years and billions of dollars spent on research looking for schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders in the brain, we still have not found any substantial evidence that these disorders are actually caused by a brain disease.
* We have learned that full recovery from schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders is not only possible but is surprisingly common.
* We've discovered that those diagnosed in the United States and other "developed" nations are much less likely to recover than those in the poorest countries of the world; furthermore, those diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in the West today may fare even worse than those so diagnosed over 100 years ago.
* We've seen that the long-term use of antipsychotics and the mainstream psychiatric paradigm of care is likely to be causing significantly more harm than benefit, greatly increasing the likelihood that a transient psychotic episode will harden into a chronic psychotic condition.
* And we've learned that many people who recover from these psychotic disorders do not merely return to their pre-psychotic condition, but often undergo a profound positive transformation with far more lasting benefits than harms.
In Rethinking Madness, Dr. Paris Williams takes the reader step by step on a highly engaging journey of discovery, exploring how the mainstream understanding of schizophrenia has become so profoundly misguided. He reveals the findings of his own groundbreaking research of people who have fully recovered from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, weaving the stories of these participants into the existing literature and crafting a surprisingly clear and coherent vision of the entire psychotic process, from onset to full recovery.
As this vision unfolds, we discover . . .
... common factors associated with onset, deepening, and recovery from psychosis; a way to make some sense out of the anomalous experiences occurring within psychosis; lasting personal paradigm shifts that often occur as a result of going through a psychotic process; and some lasting harms and benefits of this process.
. . . ways to support those struggling with psychotic experiences while also coming to appreciate the important ways that these individuals can contribute to society.
. . . a deeper sense of appreciation for the profound wisdom and resilience that lie within all of our beings, even those we may think of as being deeply disturbed.
. . . that by gaining a deeper understanding of madness, we gain a deeper understanding of the core existential dilemmas with which we all must struggle, arriving at the unsettling realization of just how thin the boundary really is between madness and sanity.
* After over 100 years and billions of dollars spent on research looking for schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders in the brain, we still have not found any substantial evidence that these disorders are actually caused by a brain disease.
* We have learned that full recovery from schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders is not only possible but is surprisingly common.
* We've discovered that those diagnosed in the United States and other "developed" nations are much less likely to recover than those in the poorest countries of the world; furthermore, those diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in the West today may fare even worse than those so diagnosed over 100 years ago.
* We've seen that the long-term use of antipsychotics and the mainstream psychiatric paradigm of care is likely to be causing significantly more harm than benefit, greatly increasing the likelihood that a transient psychotic episode will harden into a chronic psychotic condition.
* And we've learned that many people who recover from these psychotic disorders do not merely return to their pre-psychotic condition, but often undergo a profound positive transformation with far more lasting benefits than harms.
In Rethinking Madness, Dr. Paris Williams takes the reader step by step on a highly engaging journey of discovery, exploring how the mainstream understanding of schizophrenia has become so profoundly misguided. He reveals the findings of his own groundbreaking research of people who have fully recovered from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, weaving the stories of these participants into the existing literature and crafting a surprisingly clear and coherent vision of the entire psychotic process, from onset to full recovery.
As this vision unfolds, we discover . . .
... common factors associated with onset, deepening, and recovery from psychosis; a way to make some sense out of the anomalous experiences occurring within psychosis; lasting personal paradigm shifts that often occur as a result of going through a psychotic process; and some lasting harms and benefits of this process.
. . . ways to support those struggling with psychotic experiences while also coming to appreciate the important ways that these individuals can contribute to society.
. . . a deeper sense of appreciation for the profound wisdom and resilience that lie within all of our beings, even those we may think of as being deeply disturbed.
. . . that by gaining a deeper understanding of madness, we gain a deeper understanding of the core existential dilemmas with which we all must struggle, arriving at the unsettling realization of just how thin the boundary really is between madness and sanity.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2012
58 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Paris Williams
8 books2 followersIn the midst of a successful career as a hang gliding instructor and competition pilot (winning a World Champion title and multiple U.S. National Champion titles), Paris Williams suddenly found himself plunged into a profound struggle with experiences that would have likely resulted in the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.
Fortunately, he managed to avoid becoming entangled within the psychiatric system, and he instead embarked upon a journey of healing and self discovery, attempting to resolve his own personal crisis while aspiring to support others going through similar crises. He has since spent over a decade deeply exploring both Eastern and Western under-standings of mind and consciousness, studying intensive meditation from a number of different meditation masters around the world, becoming licensed as a Clinical Psychologist, working in a number of different settings supporting people struggling with challenging and extreme experiences, and conducting a series of pioneering research studies at Saybrook University on recovery from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. He has recently published a book based upon his work, titled Rethinking Madness, which has received wide acclaim.
He currently lives in New Zealand with his wife, Toni, continuing to work as a psychologist, and still occasionally taking to the sky.
Fortunately, he managed to avoid becoming entangled within the psychiatric system, and he instead embarked upon a journey of healing and self discovery, attempting to resolve his own personal crisis while aspiring to support others going through similar crises. He has since spent over a decade deeply exploring both Eastern and Western under-standings of mind and consciousness, studying intensive meditation from a number of different meditation masters around the world, becoming licensed as a Clinical Psychologist, working in a number of different settings supporting people struggling with challenging and extreme experiences, and conducting a series of pioneering research studies at Saybrook University on recovery from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. He has recently published a book based upon his work, titled Rethinking Madness, which has received wide acclaim.
He currently lives in New Zealand with his wife, Toni, continuing to work as a psychologist, and still occasionally taking to the sky.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 8, 2018
This was an amazing book. It really made me think about my everyday experience. The main theory he writes about in the book (the Duality/Unity Integretive model) is fascinating, although I don't think it's comprehensive. It feels like he tries to fit too many explanations into a very simple model. That being said, the general idea that psychosis is closely tied to one's self-concept and not necessarily a brain disease seems spot-on.
I really like how he emphasized that the current medical model of psychosis is taking the wrong approach and actually ends up causing more harm than good in the long run. It seems absurd to me that people would think that something as complicated as psychosis could be cured with taking pills for the rest of your life. I really like that Dr. Williams has created an alternate view of psychosis, along with a better idea of how to treat it.
All in all, very fascinating, although I wish he had spent more time talking about the individual stories of the people in the study, as I think they're very fascinating.
I really like how he emphasized that the current medical model of psychosis is taking the wrong approach and actually ends up causing more harm than good in the long run. It seems absurd to me that people would think that something as complicated as psychosis could be cured with taking pills for the rest of your life. I really like that Dr. Williams has created an alternate view of psychosis, along with a better idea of how to treat it.
All in all, very fascinating, although I wish he had spent more time talking about the individual stories of the people in the study, as I think they're very fascinating.
February 17, 2026
Another (of a few) east-meets-west formulations of extreme mental states. Williams does a better job than others to lay out the/his path from western conceptualizations of mental suffering and psychosis (including attachment theory, existential thought) to his own conceptualization that fills in some missing links to understanding such experiences.
His Duality/Unity Integrative model is easily understood. And to understand this is to understand basic tenants of Buddhist thought. I like that he gives credit where credit is due - i.e. he doesn't claim to reinvent the wheel here.
Numerous in depth cases are used to (successfully) bring life to the model. This is particularly helpful if one isn't versed in Buddhist concepts.
He writes clearly and succinctly, with the material in short chapters and well organized. It makes for a easily digestible book on a topic/s that could be hard to take in.
His Duality/Unity Integrative model is easily understood. And to understand this is to understand basic tenants of Buddhist thought. I like that he gives credit where credit is due - i.e. he doesn't claim to reinvent the wheel here.
Numerous in depth cases are used to (successfully) bring life to the model. This is particularly helpful if one isn't versed in Buddhist concepts.
He writes clearly and succinctly, with the material in short chapters and well organized. It makes for a easily digestible book on a topic/s that could be hard to take in.
January 31, 2018
The beginning of the book provided good food for thought about reconsidering how we conceptualize psychosis. I waded through all the theory including the author's theory, but I do not see how that adds to the author's argument: Conversely, I think it detracts from it. The theory is dense and may be difficult for many to fully grasp and understand. Also, the elaborate and complex theory puts psychosis in another conceptual box rather than freeing it. The author was able to illustrate how his qualitative study examples fed into his theory. However, having worked with people who suffer psychosis, there are many whose psychotic symptoms do not lend themselves to any transformative purpose. I am glad I put my nose in this book, but I was disappointed that it seemed to lead down another rabbit hole in which an expert attempted to define an absolute understanding of something that we may never fully understand.
November 6, 2020
Useful reading to a point! Williams tries to set up and alternative formulation of psychosis that challenges the traditional mental 'illness' model. The section on debunking myths of a biomedical take on 'schizophrenia' was quite convincing. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for the rest of the book, which really did just read like a pseudo-spiritual conspiracy theory (sorry).
I found the theories explored, as well as William's own proposed explanation of the process of psychosis quite unconvincing - he framed 'madness' as a healing phenomenon that comes about to correct an EXISTENTIAL imbalance between the freedom/togetherness duality. Barely any look at the material factors of the affected communities' or individuals' lives. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this as his entire cosmology of madness is based of a study involving less than 10 individuals (from largely similar backgrounds).
I found the theories explored, as well as William's own proposed explanation of the process of psychosis quite unconvincing - he framed 'madness' as a healing phenomenon that comes about to correct an EXISTENTIAL imbalance between the freedom/togetherness duality. Barely any look at the material factors of the affected communities' or individuals' lives. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this as his entire cosmology of madness is based of a study involving less than 10 individuals (from largely similar backgrounds).
October 30, 2020
I'm heartbroken and incredulous at the suffering the myth of the medical model (read: evil pharmaceutical giants and the pandering doctors who prescribe) has caused. Psychosis is NOT an incurable disease of the brain. Most people recover completely if they don't take long term (or ANY) antipsychotic meds (which are just tranquilizers that stop the natural process of psychosis), aren't institutionalized, aren't given this devastating and incorrect and horrifying diagnosis. I don't think I dislike anything much more than the conventional medical establishment and their lazy and ignorant reliance on Pharma. Shame on all of them.
This book is remarkable. It is a gift to those of us whose lives have been shattered by the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It is hope and life and understanding. It resonates truth.
This book is remarkable. It is a gift to those of us whose lives have been shattered by the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It is hope and life and understanding. It resonates truth.
September 2, 2012
Thought madness was just for those other people. Think again, this important book brings human empathy back to support the psychotic process. Once you see why not to dehumanize the experience (if you need another reason) there is great description of all of our anxiety soaked path towards growth and human potential.
May 4, 2014
The first part was good and has some interesting points such as; definition of recovery, longterm benefits/risk of antipsychotics. After making some interesting points it moves on to a number of different people's theories for how to understand the psychotic syndromes. This opinion piece interested me less and had a feeling of cart before the horse.
November 19, 2017
Actually paradigm shifting
May 7, 2019
Good book.
Must read if suffering from psychosis. Look into ot if you or aomeone you know needs help. Stay positive everyone.
Must read if suffering from psychosis. Look into ot if you or aomeone you know needs help. Stay positive everyone.
October 26, 2025
This book is groundbreaking in its formulation of a new, holistic paradigm per conceptualizing psychosis, and also thorough and insightful per the author’s interview-based research on this topic. I appreciated the case studies of the interviewees as well as the connections that were made between their stories. And, I appreciated the research presented on impacts of psychiatric medications on the recovery trajectory of these people, which seem for the most part to interfere with healing. Lastly, the Resources section at the end of the book is a helpful next-steps section for people looking to step more fully into a new ways forwards per societal change in this regard. Highly recommend!
September 3, 2024
Too ambitious for what it Accomplishez
This book attempts to rethink the current paradigm of psychosis and I feel that doesn't accomplish that. It attempts to bring in other sources to lay claim to rethinking madness but I feel it fails. What instead occurs is a mess of an explanation that is too incoherent to take seriously. I was seriously disappointed at this and hope another book comes along that can give an alternate coherent explanation of psychosis.
This book attempts to rethink the current paradigm of psychosis and I feel that doesn't accomplish that. It attempts to bring in other sources to lay claim to rethinking madness but I feel it fails. What instead occurs is a mess of an explanation that is too incoherent to take seriously. I was seriously disappointed at this and hope another book comes along that can give an alternate coherent explanation of psychosis.
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July 12, 2020An interesting view on madness, a challenge to the current understanding.
January 16, 2015
many challenging suggestions for a paradigm shift. some parts rather oblique.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews