Is schizophrenia an illness? Is madness preventable? This controversial, but carefully reseached, book argues that what psychiatrists call "schizophrenia" is not an illness. Models of Madness shows that hallucinations and delusions are understandable reactions to life events and circumstances rather than symptoms of a supposed genetic predisposition or biological disturbance. Featuring 23 contributors from six countries, the book represents a range of disciplines and discusses the history, economics, and politics of madness. Contributors critique the "medical model" of madness, document the role of drug companies and outline research-based alternatives to diagnoses and drugs.

Models of Madness promotes a more effective and humane approach to understanding and supporting severely distressed people that will prove essential reading for psychiatrists and clinical psychologists and be of great interest to all those who work in mental health service.