Our Most Troubling Madness

Schizophrenia has long puzzled researchers in the fields of psychiatric medicine and anthropology. Why is it that the rates of developing schizophrenia are low in some countries and higher in others? The authors argue that the root causes of schizophrenia are not only biological, but also sociocultural. “These case studies reveal the humanity and resilience of people living with psychotic disorders. Luhrmann and Marrow have collated perceptive and sensitive sketches of the lives of people with psychosis. The material reveals not only how culture shapes the content of delusions and hallucinations, but also how different societies respond to those with psychosis. Just as a prism can refract light into its component wavelengths, psychotic disorders can unexpectedly reveal the influence of cultural factors on the spectrum of thinking and cognition.”—John McGrath, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia “ Our Most Troubling Madness is a rich, detailed, textured account of how schizophrenia presents cross-culturally. In several case studies, the contributors lay out in compelling detail how these sufferers conceive of themselves and are conceived of by others, making clear that there are more and less toxic ways to respond to schizophrenia, and that the cultural context gives shape to the illness. The authors not only tell these stories but also draw important lessons for those who suffer with, or help those who suffer with, these sometimes devastating illnesses. A must-read for anyone interested in the presentation of serious mental illness across very different cultures.”—Elyn R. Saks, University of Southern California; author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey through Madness “An opportune and highly accessible volume of case studies. This…