Abetting Madness ; The Role of Illicit and Prescribed drugs in promoting Psychotic and Manic Disorders

About the Book

This book addresses an approach to the prevention of some psychotic disorders and is based upon a relatively straightforward hypothesis; namely, that vulnerability to the major psychoses is related substantially to genetic factors that may be set into motion by the use of drugs, both illicit and prescribed. My own research has focused largely upon psychotic reactions associated with illicit psychotogenic drug use while my clinical work, particularly in recent years, has convinced me of the psychotogenic potential of prescribed medication as well.

It is important to be understood here. I am not attempting to make a blanket argument against the use of recreational drugs (although I personally believe such a choice is the wisest) and certainly not indicting antidepressant or stimulant drug treatment. I want to call attention to the fact that some persons are more vulnerable than others to the psychotogenic potential of these agents and urge caution in their use, especially in those with a family history of major psychotic or manic illness. I believe that psychiatry as a field has not emphasized this point sufficiently. I further believe that some cases of acute psychosis and mania could be prevented by more attention to these risk factors. This book will outline an argument for increased awareness of the potential for triggering major mental illness through the use of pharmacological substances.

About the Author

Dr. Bowers is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Yale where he has been as a full-time faculty member for over 40 years. Other books by him are: Retreat from Sanity (1974) and A Psychiatrist Recollects (1989) Human Sciences Press. Two previous books by Xlibris are Abetting Madness (2003) and Men and Poisons (2005). Dr. Bowers is currently an attending psychiatrist at Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital.