Trauma and Madness in Mental Health Services (eBook)

Noël Hunter is a clinical psychologist working in private practice in New York City, USA. Her work focuses on the link between trauma and altered states, human rights, and alternative approaches to healing. 

Preface 5
Acknowledgments 10
Contents 12
List of Tables 15
Part I: The Status Quo 16
Chapter 1: Introduction: Containing Multitudes 17
What We Say Matters 21
Importance of Utilizing “Experts-By-Experience” 22
Research Study 24
Organization of This Book 28
References 33
Chapter 2: A History of Dissociation and Madness 36
Welcome to the Circus 38
Freud, Psychoanalysis, and the Denial of Trauma 39
The “Schizophrenias” 42
Dissociating Madness 46
References 50
Chapter 3: The Politics of Madness 57
On Language 59
Weeding Out Those Who Question 61
Specialization, Bias, and Vested Interests 62
Science Versus Ideology 64
References 71
Chapter 4: The Illness Inquisition 78
The DSM Is Not Reliable or Valid 80
Please Do Not Make Assumptions 85
Difference in Severity Does Not Equate with Difference in Kind 87
Manufacturing Disease 88
Social Control 90
Where Stigma Begins 92
References 96
Chapter 5: Suffering Is Human 107
Multiplicity Is Universal 108
DID or Multiple Personality Disorder 109
We All Have Multiple Personalities 112
Psychodynamic Theory 112
Internal Family Systems 114
Neurology and Evolutionary Science 115
Can Psychosis Heal? 116
Everyone Is Delusional 120
References 122
Chapter 6: The Body and Mind in Context: The Role of Trauma and Adversity 130
Rates of Trauma in “Severe Mental Illness” 131
Biological Patterns Correlate with Life Experience, Not the DSM 136
Genetics, Epigenetics, and Eugenics 139
Lifestyle and Relationships Matter 143
References 146
Part II 159
Chapter 7: Finding Help 160
Common Experiences Within the System 161
Professional Recommendations and Guidelines 163
Guidelines for Complex Trauma 164
The Power Threat Meaning Framework 169
How Clinicians Can Make a Difference 170
Open Dialogue 176
Internal Family Systems 177
The Maastricht Approach to Hearing Voices 179
Other Alternative Psychotherapeutic Interventions 179
References 181
Chapter 8: A Plea for Change 190
Stop Talking About “Symptoms” 191
I Don’t Want to Be Fixed, I’m Not Fragile 196
Force and Coercion Are Not Helpful 197
References 201
Chapter 9: Recommendations and Moving Beyond the System 207
Believe in What You Do Not Understand 209
Nothing About Us Without Us 212
Beyond the System 214
Lifestyle Changes 214
Peer Support 216
References 219
Chapter 10: Resources and Helpful Tips 226
Finding a Helpful Therapist 227
Resources 232
Peer-Led Initiatives 233
Suggested Readings 234
Tips and Tricks 234
Index 238