Review of Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
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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..]
In "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine," Elliott B. Martin focuses on the relationship between mental health and digital technology. As a certified psychiatrist, Martin uses his deep understanding of the subject to examine how the digital age affects mental health.
The text is divided into five subsections, including 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? Through this format, he explores historical progress in mental health practices and the effects of social and technological alterations while considering present perceptions of mental illness.
Martin offers plenty of historic understanding and current analysis, efficiently drawing a line from past asylums to current digital phenomena. He questions well-established concepts on mental health, proposing that supposed indicators of mental illness could be a normal human response to our modern, technology-driven society. This argument, viewing mental health problems as reactions to extreme societal pressures and unrealistic expectations set by online platforms, presents an intriguing concept.
Martin's writing is academic but reader-friendly, although certain sections can be heavily detailed. His comprehensive dialogues surrounding psychiatric gurus like Sigmund Freud, Michel Foucault, and Theodor Adorno are fascinating but could potentially perplex the reader due to their intricacies. Moreover, frequent topic shifts and lengthy sentences may interrupt readability and make the substance challenging to absorb.
In spite of occasional hard-to-read sections, Martin is great at explaining hard concepts in a clear way. He uses many footnotes and references very carefully, so readers can track his thoughts and go deeper if they want to. The book is well edited, with no mistakes to take away from its value and ease of reading.
One strong point of the book is how it gets you to think about how technology affects our mental wellbeing. Martin gives important input on how social media acts on our dopamine levels and how digital interactions can make us feel more alone. His article about increased connection through the internet leading to more feelings of loneliness, especially during COVID-19, hit home.
But the book doesn't have everything. While Martin gives a detailed look at the problem, he does not give hands-on solutions or solid steps to solve the mental health issues brought by technology. Readers looking for steps they can take might find this missing.
All in all, "Rethinking Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine" is a must-read that gets your mind working if you want to understand mental health issues related to current technology. With detailed study and based on his knowledge, Martin shares important views that are relevant today.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The book receives a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Despite the occasional density of the writing and the lack of practical solutions, the book’s flawless editing, profound insights, and ability to provoke critical thought justify a perfect rating. Its contribution to the discourse on mental health in the digital age is invaluable.
Recommended to
This book is highly recommended for mental health professionals, academics, students of psychiatry, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and mental health. It is particularly suited for readers who appreciate a deep, philosophical exploration of contemporary issues and are comfortable navigating complex, nuanced discussions.
******
Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In "Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine," Elliott B. Martin focuses on the relationship between mental health and digital technology. As a certified psychiatrist, Martin uses his deep understanding of the subject to examine how the digital age affects mental health.
The text is divided into five subsections, including 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? Through this format, he explores historical progress in mental health practices and the effects of social and technological alterations while considering present perceptions of mental illness.
Martin offers plenty of historic understanding and current analysis, efficiently drawing a line from past asylums to current digital phenomena. He questions well-established concepts on mental health, proposing that supposed indicators of mental illness could be a normal human response to our modern, technology-driven society. This argument, viewing mental health problems as reactions to extreme societal pressures and unrealistic expectations set by online platforms, presents an intriguing concept.
Martin's writing is academic but reader-friendly, although certain sections can be heavily detailed. His comprehensive dialogues surrounding psychiatric gurus like Sigmund Freud, Michel Foucault, and Theodor Adorno are fascinating but could potentially perplex the reader due to their intricacies. Moreover, frequent topic shifts and lengthy sentences may interrupt readability and make the substance challenging to absorb.
In spite of occasional hard-to-read sections, Martin is great at explaining hard concepts in a clear way. He uses many footnotes and references very carefully, so readers can track his thoughts and go deeper if they want to. The book is well edited, with no mistakes to take away from its value and ease of reading.
One strong point of the book is how it gets you to think about how technology affects our mental wellbeing. Martin gives important input on how social media acts on our dopamine levels and how digital interactions can make us feel more alone. His article about increased connection through the internet leading to more feelings of loneliness, especially during COVID-19, hit home.
But the book doesn't have everything. While Martin gives a detailed look at the problem, he does not give hands-on solutions or solid steps to solve the mental health issues brought by technology. Readers looking for steps they can take might find this missing.
All in all, "Rethinking Mental Illness in the Digital Age: Ghosts in the Machine" is a must-read that gets your mind working if you want to understand mental health issues related to current technology. With detailed study and based on his knowledge, Martin shares important views that are relevant today.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The book receives a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Despite the occasional density of the writing and the lack of practical solutions, the book’s flawless editing, profound insights, and ability to provoke critical thought justify a perfect rating. Its contribution to the discourse on mental health in the digital age is invaluable.
Recommended to
This book is highly recommended for mental health professionals, academics, students of psychiatry, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and mental health. It is particularly suited for readers who appreciate a deep, philosophical exploration of contemporary issues and are comfortable navigating complex, nuanced discussions.
******
Reconceptualizing Mental Illness in the Digital Age
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Clock in the Water by Crissi McDonald
