The Mind Has Mountains: Reflections on Society and Psychiatry

by Paul R. McHugh

From strenuous opposition to physician-assisted suicide to a conviction that sex-correction surgery for newborns is cruel and misguided, Dr. Paul R. McHugh's opinions are strong and often controversial. In this collection of essays, McHugh demonstrates why he is one of the most thought-provoking figures in the academic world. These pieces argue for a realistic appraisal of just what psychiatrists know and how they know it, with the aim of indicating how such knowledge can best be used not only for better patient care but also to reflect on and influence public issues and social movements. His essays will stimulate professional and popular discussion about the goals and effectiveness of current psychiatric practice. McHugh sorts through the layers of what he terms the "culturally driven misdirection of psychiatry and psychotherapy" to explain concepts often misunderstood by nonscholars and the intellectual community alike. America's leading psychiatrist may inspire you or offend you, but he will certainly make you think.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Psychiatry, Medicine, Science

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 29, 2005

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative essays from the former dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine on psychiatry and its modern excesses, medical education, and social issues. It gives a viewpoint not often heard in the media.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skimmed some of the material in the second half, but earlier essays on shifts in psychiatry and intersections of this field with broader society -- particularly those chapters dealing with euthanasia -- were gold.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb collection of recent essays on various areas of psychiatry. Short, sweet and to the point. Read it before you go see a shrink and before you buy into the latest pet theories sold on cable TV.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful look at many issues in psychiatry today.

[Ben Larzabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of powerful (and sometimes thorny) essays, this book is a fascinating look at the changing philosophy of psychiatry and the dark future that may lie ahead.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prescient

[Jan]

Interesting conservative treatise on modern psychiatry. Head of psychiatry at John Hopkins ???

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get through all of it, but what essays I read were very thought-provoking. I wish more of our society would do research such as this on so many widely/blindly accepted topics of our day.