Grt Desperate Cure

this is a very interesting book but it is very detailed. so if you're not interested in medical facts, case studies and the history of treatments and "cures" of mental illness, you probably won't like it. the author is very thorough and some of the treatments tried just make you shake your head and ask "what were they thinking?" this would make an excellent book for anyone studying psychology or psychiatry. (i could even see it as a textbook.) excellent!

The history of psychosurgery is intriguing to anyone interested in the brain, and it begs two questions (1) How did it happen that surgeons once found it fashionable and helpful to cut the frontal lobes, and (2) What do we know now about those ailments that were once treated by psychosurgery? Valenstein's book provides a comprehensive historical review that answers the first question, and provides important cues to answer the second, including some of the current views on brain and mood disorders. Valenstein's personal biases against some of these theories do not show through, and he maintains an even perspective. The sciences is treated seriously but remains accessible. Background information on the various figures involved in psychosurgery are also provided when needed, but never turn into annoying biopics. I really enjoyed reading it.

At one time lobotomy was hailed as a cure for mental illness and the originator even received a Nobel prize for medicine. As should have been clear almost from the start, all it did was quiet patients and render them docile. Thousands of people were deproved of thier higher brain function, often in a few seconds with several strokes of an ice pick. The rise and fall of lobotomy has many parallels with the rise and fall of other dangerous and ineffective surgeries, particularly gastric bypass for obesity.

This is an incredible story. Thousands of people had their brains mutilated and personalities destroyed in a grand experiment to cure schizophrenia and other mental disorders. What's so incredible is that scientists and physicians, principally Walter Freeman in the book, advocated this procedure based on theories of the brain and mental disorders without much evidence to support their claims. In fact, the theories are almost an afterthought to justifiy the procedure. I'm absolutely amazed at the breathtaking irresponsibility of the medical and psychiatric communities allowed this to go on. Valenstein starts the book by tracing the history of physical "cures" from water treatment to electroshock therapy. What Valenstein proves is that lobotomy is really just another attempt by the psychiatric communitiy to apply specualtive theory and boldly experiment on human beings. This was possible because serious mental disorders, like schizophrenia, seemed hopeless. The medical community and public was willing to try anything. In this context, Valenstein explains the driving forces that helped lobotomy to gain wide popularity: the medical profession's willingness to try anything and uncritical acceptance of advocates' claims of success - even giving the inventor of the procedure a Nobel Prize; the media's fascination with strange medical procedures and the almost universal blind acceptance of doctor's claims; and finally, the public institutions' desire to save money - lobotomized patients were released from institutions or were easier to handle. As a layman, I assume scientists are objective and critical thinkers and, doctors are humane heroes - "to do no harm". This book demolishes those illusions and keeps your skeptical mind razor sharp.