Schizophrenia was 20th century psychiatry's arch concept of madness. Yet for most of that century it was both problematic and contentious. In doing so, it opens up new ways of understanding 20th century madness.
Schizophrenia was 20th century psychiatry's arch concept of madness. Yet for most of that century it was both problematic and contentious. This history explores schizophrenia's historic instability via themes such as symptoms, definition, classification and anti-psychiatry. In doing so, it opens up new ways of understanding 20th century madness.
McNally's overall goal-to analyze critically all attempts to define and delineate schizophrenia-is admirable. His attention to detail and his ability to reflect deeply on primary sources are clear strengths of his work. A Critical History of Schizophrenia will no doubt encourage greater awareness of the variability, inconsistency, and unpredictability of the concept of schizophrenia over time. This is a very important task, to which this book contributes a great deal. (Bonnie Evans, ISIS, Vol. 108 (4), 2017)
This is a text that should be prescribed reading for all entering the mental health professions. It acts as a helpful antidote to the ahistorical certainty of many textbooks and many training courses. (Padraig Collins, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 61 (4), 2016)
Introduction
1. Schizodia: The Lexicon
2. The Split Personality
3. Definitions of Schizophrenia
4. Catatonia: Faces in the Fire
5. Chasing the Phantom: Classification
6. Myth and Forgetting: Bleuler's Four As
7. Social Prejudice
8. Contesting Schizophrenia?
9. Manufacturing Consensus in North America
10. 20th Century Schizophrenia
Epilogue: Consider Nijinsky
Appendix A: Goodbye to Hebephrenia