Saving Normal

An Insider’s Revolt Against out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life

By: Allen Frances MD

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

In Saving Normal, Allen Frances, one of the world's most influential psychiatrists, warns that mislabeling everyday problems as mental illness has shocking implications for individuals and society: Stigmatizing a healthy person as mentally ill leads to unnecessary, harmful medications, the narrowing of horizons, misallocation of medical resources, and draining of the budgets of families and the nation. We also shift responsibility for our mental well-being away from our own naturally resilient and self-healing brains, which have kept us sane for hundreds of thousands of years, and into the hands of Big Pharma, who are reaping multibillion-dollar profits.

Masterfully charting the history of psychiatric fads throughout history, Frances argues that whenever we arbitrarily label another aspect of the human condition a "disease", we further chip away at our human adaptability and diversity, dulling the full palette of what is normal and losing something fundamental of ourselves in the process. Saving Normal is a call to all of us to reclaim the full measure of our humanity.

©2013 Allen Frances (P)2017 Tantor

A lot of interesting info

Lest you think psychiatry is more science than art, Dr. Frances illuminates just how subjective it all is. I appreciate that he owned his part in laying the foundation for diagnostic overreach, and that he gives some solid suggestions for reigning in psychopharmacology driven practice and correcting our course. It’s telling that this was written in 2013- before it was revealed that the FDA was in bed with the Sacklers as they fed our country to the lion of opioid abuse. Frances’s supposition that the FDA would be a better shepherd for the DSM seems ludicrous now.

Amazing

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time. Amazing insight into how we have come to find ourselves in the current situation, and from as qualified of a source as one could ever hope to find. I wish there were more professionals as brutally honest about their “own team” in every field

what a great book

loved it reassured what I always new great book great audible love what the book represented

Seek Education, not Medicalization

I thoroughly review at a problem that we face today. We need to make a change, and advocate for our children. We are the parents, a professional can be bias. I would highly recommend for anyone, especially parents to read this. As sometimes we follow the instructions that professionals give us, and end up hurting those we love. It isn't just the drugs, BOD, ADHD, Autism..... it's prevalent in today's Trans epidemic.

This is an increasingly important book

I think every clinician should read this. But the narration is tough because the reader is too pretentious.