Review of Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
-
Rohith Kumar Pakala
- Posts: 174
- Joined: 15 Feb 2024, 03:56
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 22
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rohith-kumar-pakala.html
- Latest Review: The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson
Review of Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
[Following is a volunteer review of "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age" by Elliott B. Martin, Jr..]
Elliott B. Martin brings his experience as a board-certified psychiatrist in crisis management to "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine." His specialties in general psychiatry, pediatric psychiatry, and addiction treatment have given him insight into how the digital age has affected mental health treatment. The book is divided into five parts: A Brief History of How We Got Here, The (Dis) Order of Things or The Myth of Mental Wellness, Suicide, Medical Fascism, and Is Mental Health a Disease or a Way of Being? Martin references several well-known psychiatrists, such as Sigmund Freud, Michel Foucault, and Theodor Adorno, to illustrate how mental health practices have evolved. While Martin’s primary message is that mental health should be approached differently, his facts are often intertwined with his personal opinions.
Several fascinating facts are highlighted in the book. For example, dopamine, part of the brain's pleasure center, is a double-edged sword. Too much dopamine can lead to psychosis and schizophrenia, while too little can cause Parkinson’s disease and profound depression. Martin also points out that those "at risk" for suicide are not easily detected using the general scales found in most hospitals, noting that a person is more likely to commit suicide after being released from a psychiatric ward. The prevalence of delusions, a symptom of psychosis, is also discussed. Martin shockingly reveals that everyone will experience a delusion in their life, such as believing in a romantic connection with a celebrity. However, he questions whether such delusions indicate psychosis.
Despite the compelling information, the book is dense. Martin's sarcastic tone almost suggests he resents his role as a psychiatrist in a general hospital. The digressions are overwhelming, often veering off into tangents, and the lengthy, complex sentences can be confusing. A prime example is on page nine:
“Theodor Adorno—neo-Marxist, Frankfurt School founder in the 1920s, co-creator (with Max Horkheimer) of the pre-digitally academically viral ‘critical theory’, German-Jewish refugee to America in the 1930s, eventual hapless patricide of the so-called ‘Left fascism’ he unwittingly helped create across college campuses beginning in the 1960s—in his seminal 1951 quasi-autobiography, Minima Moralia: Reflections on a Damaged Life, writes of the problem of diagnosing ‘the sickness of the healthy.’”
Sentences like these require multiple readings to understand, which can cause readers to miss Martin's key points. A more concise writing style would have made the book more accessible.
Despite this, I'll give "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine" five out of five stars. The editing is impeccable, and Martin meticulously cites his sources with footnotes. Martin's message is compelling. When he asked his young daughter what “virtual” meant, she replied, “almost.” He links this to how people have resorted to online living, increasing isolation and exacerbating mental illness. Martin uses his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to illustrate the effects of isolation, particularly on young children. For instance, an eight-year-old child was admitted to his ward for attempting suicide after schools closed.
I recommend this book to readers interested in psychiatry and its evolution. It reflects various facets of healthcare that medical professionals endure. Though it is challenging, it is essential reading for college-level students interested in mental health.
Elliott B. Martin's "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age" is not just academic reading. It explores the digital revolution's impact on mental health, tracing the historical development from past asylums to today's filtered social media feeds. Martin argues that mental illness may be a natural reaction to an unnatural environment, urging readers to reconsider whether these states are diseases or responses to societal pressures.
While the book's focus on historical and philosophical aspects might deter those seeking practical solutions, it offers profound insights. There is nothing to dislike about this well-edited and thought-provoking book. It challenges readers to be truthful to themselves amidst the digital age's pressures, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in mental wellness.This book will receive a 5 out of 5 star rating.
******
Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Elliott B. Martin brings his experience as a board-certified psychiatrist in crisis management to "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine." His specialties in general psychiatry, pediatric psychiatry, and addiction treatment have given him insight into how the digital age has affected mental health treatment. The book is divided into five parts: A Brief History of How We Got Here, The (Dis) Order of Things or The Myth of Mental Wellness, Suicide, Medical Fascism, and Is Mental Health a Disease or a Way of Being? Martin references several well-known psychiatrists, such as Sigmund Freud, Michel Foucault, and Theodor Adorno, to illustrate how mental health practices have evolved. While Martin’s primary message is that mental health should be approached differently, his facts are often intertwined with his personal opinions.
Several fascinating facts are highlighted in the book. For example, dopamine, part of the brain's pleasure center, is a double-edged sword. Too much dopamine can lead to psychosis and schizophrenia, while too little can cause Parkinson’s disease and profound depression. Martin also points out that those "at risk" for suicide are not easily detected using the general scales found in most hospitals, noting that a person is more likely to commit suicide after being released from a psychiatric ward. The prevalence of delusions, a symptom of psychosis, is also discussed. Martin shockingly reveals that everyone will experience a delusion in their life, such as believing in a romantic connection with a celebrity. However, he questions whether such delusions indicate psychosis.
Despite the compelling information, the book is dense. Martin's sarcastic tone almost suggests he resents his role as a psychiatrist in a general hospital. The digressions are overwhelming, often veering off into tangents, and the lengthy, complex sentences can be confusing. A prime example is on page nine:
“Theodor Adorno—neo-Marxist, Frankfurt School founder in the 1920s, co-creator (with Max Horkheimer) of the pre-digitally academically viral ‘critical theory’, German-Jewish refugee to America in the 1930s, eventual hapless patricide of the so-called ‘Left fascism’ he unwittingly helped create across college campuses beginning in the 1960s—in his seminal 1951 quasi-autobiography, Minima Moralia: Reflections on a Damaged Life, writes of the problem of diagnosing ‘the sickness of the healthy.’”
Sentences like these require multiple readings to understand, which can cause readers to miss Martin's key points. A more concise writing style would have made the book more accessible.
Despite this, I'll give "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine" five out of five stars. The editing is impeccable, and Martin meticulously cites his sources with footnotes. Martin's message is compelling. When he asked his young daughter what “virtual” meant, she replied, “almost.” He links this to how people have resorted to online living, increasing isolation and exacerbating mental illness. Martin uses his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to illustrate the effects of isolation, particularly on young children. For instance, an eight-year-old child was admitted to his ward for attempting suicide after schools closed.
I recommend this book to readers interested in psychiatry and its evolution. It reflects various facets of healthcare that medical professionals endure. Though it is challenging, it is essential reading for college-level students interested in mental health.
Elliott B. Martin's "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age" is not just academic reading. It explores the digital revolution's impact on mental health, tracing the historical development from past asylums to today's filtered social media feeds. Martin argues that mental illness may be a natural reaction to an unnatural environment, urging readers to reconsider whether these states are diseases or responses to societal pressures.
While the book's focus on historical and philosophical aspects might deter those seeking practical solutions, it offers profound insights. There is nothing to dislike about this well-edited and thought-provoking book. It challenges readers to be truthful to themselves amidst the digital age's pressures, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in mental wellness.This book will receive a 5 out of 5 star rating.
******
Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson
