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Sedated

How Modern Capitalism Created Our Mental Health Crisis

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Sedated

By: James Davies
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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About this listen

A provocative and shocking look at how western society is misunderstanding and mistreating mental illness.

In Britain alone, more than 20 per cent of the adult population take a psychiatric drug in any one year. This is an increase of over 500 per cent since 1980 and the numbers continue to grow. Yet, despite this prescription epidemic, levels of mental illness of all types have actually increased in number and severity.

Using a wealth of studies, interviews with experts and detailed analysis, Dr James Davies argues that this is because we have fundamentally mischaracterised the problem. Rather than viewing most mental distress as an understandable reaction to wider societal problems, we have embraced a medical model which situates the problem solely within the sufferer and their brain.

Urgent and persuasive, Sedated systematically examines why this individualistic view of mental illness has been promoted by successive governments and big business - and why it is so misplaced and dangerous.

©2021 James Davies (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Anthropology Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Sociology Health Taxation Human Brain Capitalism

Critic reviews

"A wonderful, moving and truly life-changing book. Sedated is an urgent intervention for post-pandemic society, written with expertise and clarity. Warning: it will cause irritation to powerful interests who fear us all becoming better informed about the root causes of so much human suffering." (Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, former Director of Liberty)

"James Davies is one of the most important voices on mental health in the world. This is a beautiful and deeply sane book. Everyone who's suffering - and wants to know how to make it stop - should read it right away." (Johann Hari, author of Lost Connections)

"In this game-changing polemic, James Davies leaves us in no doubt: to tackle the mental health crisis we need major social and economic reform." (Nathan Filer, author of This Book will Change Your Mind about Mental Health)
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this - it questioned the way I think about mental health and I’ll definitely keep thinking about it in the coming weeks. The narration was easy to follow and not monotonal. It covered a relatively wide scope of time too which I liked - there’s a lot of commentary on how Thatcher affected the current view of mental health in the UK which I found interesting. Definitely worth a read.

Changed my perspective

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This is a brilliant book which examines mental health in relation to societal changes over the last half century. It rings very true, and confirms what a lot of people are becoming more aware of about our current eco-politics - we are working hard to benefit the few at the detriment of the many. I reflected on the work and consider that many physical pathologies (which can be tested for) can also be laid at the feet of neoliberal politics. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics, in healthcare, in economics, in society or sociology - as well as mental health. I feel it is well written by a man who is deeply reflective and compassionate.

Intelligent and Thought Provoking

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All I can say is that from the first chapter I have been going on about this book constanty and recommending it to everyone I know! So insightful, thought provoking and really accessible. I am ordering the hard copy asap to refer back to!

Essential listening/reading

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I implore everyone, especially those in MH or MH adjacent roles to take the time to read this.

please read this book.

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Clear, unfussy narration which emphasised the clear, unfussy topics of the book. Many of the points raised felt pertinent to me personally, but I know others in my circle who feel the same. Endless consumption, feelings of vague uncertainty, ever decreasing joy in buying anything really. Enjoying the first lockdown and the subsequent feelings of guilt about Enjoying it.

I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone. It's not a leftist diatribe or a right bashing exercise, but imagine there are those that believe it is. Whatever your political stance, give this book a go.

Confirmation of my secret thoughts...

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