Finding Hope in the Lived Experience of Psychosis: Reflections on Trauma, Use of Power and Re-visioning Psychiatry (The International Society for ... Social Approaches to Psychosis Book Series)

This book offers first-person accounts of the experience of psychosis from the inside and the outside, through the eyes of two doctors, one of whom has experienced psychosis and both of whom have worked for decades in the field of psychiatry. Underpinned by rigorous academic analysis using an evocative duo-ethnographic approach, the book explores the cultural and subcultural influences from childhood onwards – both traumatic and resilience-building – that have shaped their lives. Both authors reflect on strategies they learned early in life for dealing with challenges, each managing to function at a high level while avoiding awareness of their vulnerability. They reflect on the potential dangers of using their expertise and position of power in psychiatry simply to diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication. The differences and similarities in the authors’ stories provide a productive tension highlighting the complexities of this paradigm shift that is happening in psychiatry. Written in the form of two interacting memoirs, this book is of great interest to researchers, clinicians, and practicing psychologists, as well as a general audience with interest in psychosis. Cover Endorsement Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Evocative Duo-Ethnography: The Methodology We Used to Write This Book Part 1 Becoming Ourselves Part Patte’s Story 1951–1980 (Birth to 29) 1 Trust and Betrayal: The Divided Self 2 Medical School: Skeletons, Cadavers, Gray’s Anatomy, and Desensitisation 3 An Extreme State and a Sense of Pathway 4 Research and Metaphor: Medical Nemesis 5 Completing Medical School: Examining Reflexes Part Josephine’s Story 1954–1983 (Birth to 29) 6 Autonomy, Invulnerability, and a Commitment to Service 7 Losing Sight of Science and Walking Away From Love 8 Completing Medical School: Training to Be Superhuman and Joining the Medical Club Part 2 Becoming Doctors and Choosing Psychiatry Part Patte’s Story 1980–1995 (Ages 29–44) 9 The Pleasant Smell of Aftershave and the Imagined Relief of Not Existing 10 Worse Than a Nuclear Winter 11 Trust Betrayed: Confronting the Devil 12 Evolving From Atheism: A Spiritual Emergency 13 Defining the Essence of Psychiatry Part Josephine’s Story 1985–1995 (Ages 31–41) 14 After Africa: Rekindling Passion for Medicine and Love 15 Feeling Lost in Psychiatry and Found in Mothering 16 Beginning to Find My Place in Psychiatry 17 Jumping Through Hoops and Becoming a Patient Part 3 Learning From Experience Part Patte’s Story 1996–2020 (Ages 45–69) 18 A Herculean Task: ‘Hope and a Future’ 19 Something Wrong On the Inside: The Paradox 20 Finding My Voice ... and Losing It Again 21 Side Effects, Spirituality, and Finding My Niche 22 Disruption in Meaning-Making: The Last Extreme State 23 Lighting a Candle for Justice 24 Ways of Making Sense 25 The Re-Covery Model 26 Living the Experience of Now: My Life Beyond Psychiatry Part Josephine’s Story 1998 to Present Day (Ages 44–65) 27 Becoming a Psychiatrist: A Pathway of Impossible Jobs 28 My Alternative Training: Pathway to Becoming the Psychiatrist I Want to Be Learning From Patte Learning From People’s Lived Experience Learning From Johnella Bird Self-Determination Theory Learning From Sports Coaches Learning From Eckhart Tolle 29 Against All Odds: Maintaining My Personal and Professional Identity Part Patte’s Story 30 Creative Energy and ‘The Gift Box’ Epilogue: It’s About Time Meaning and Mattering Embracing Vulnerability Taking a Both/and Perspective, and Going Beyond This Being With Our Dream References Index "This book offers first-person accounts of the experience of psychosis from the inside and the outside, through the eyes of two doctors, one of whom has experienced psychosis and both of whom have worked for decades in the field of psychiatry. Underpinned by rigorous academic analysis using an evocative duo-ethnographic approach, the book explores the cultural and subcultural influences from childhood onwards-both traumatic and resilience-building-that have shaped their lives. Both authors reflect on strategies they learned early in life for dealing with challenges, each managing to function at a high level while avoiding awareness of their vulnerability. They reflect on the potential dangers of using their expertise and position of power in psychiatry simply to diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication. The differences and similarities in the authors' stories provide a productive tension highlighting the complexities of this paradigm shift that is happening in psychiatry. Written in the form of two interacting memoirs, this book is of great interest to researchers, clinicians, and practicing psychologists, as well as a general audience with interest in psychosis"-- Provided by publisher