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Sedated

How Modern Capitalism Created Our Mental Health Crisis

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Sedated

By: James Davies
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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About this listen

A provocative and shocking look at how western society is misunderstanding and mistreating mental illness.

In Britain alone, more than 20 per cent of the adult population take a psychiatric drug in any one year. This is an increase of over 500 per cent since 1980 and the numbers continue to grow. Yet, despite this prescription epidemic, levels of mental illness of all types have actually increased in number and severity.

Using a wealth of studies, interviews with experts and detailed analysis, Dr James Davies argues that this is because we have fundamentally mischaracterised the problem. Rather than viewing most mental distress as an understandable reaction to wider societal problems, we have embraced a medical model which situates the problem solely within the sufferer and their brain.

Urgent and persuasive, Sedated systematically examines why this individualistic view of mental illness has been promoted by successive governments and big business - and why it is so misplaced and dangerous.

©2021 James Davies (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Health Human Brain Capitalism Economic Inequality

Critic Reviews

"A wonderful, moving and truly life-changing book. Sedated is an urgent intervention for post-pandemic society, written with expertise and clarity. Warning: it will cause irritation to powerful interests who fear us all becoming better informed about the root causes of so much human suffering." (Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, former Director of Liberty)

"James Davies is one of the most important voices on mental health in the world. This is a beautiful and deeply sane book. Everyone who's suffering - and wants to know how to make it stop - should read it right away." (Johann Hari, author of Lost Connections)

"In this game-changing polemic, James Davies leaves us in no doubt: to tackle the mental health crisis we need major social and economic reform." (Nathan Filer, author of This Book will Change Your Mind about Mental Health)
All stars
Most relevant
great insight, describes the problem of modern day mental health clearly. Opened my eyes to the power of the pharmaceutical companies in politics and policies.

must read

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Every aspect if this book should appeal to people, the entirety of the knowledge is obvious but brilliant.

Absolutely Brilliant

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Excellent book. So important to understand the damage done by the medicalisation of human suffering.

A must read for anyone interested in ‘mental health’

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Well narrated. Bit oveely fixated on neoliberalism but otherwise a well balanced perspective and challenges the overreach of unregulated capitalism as the foundation for many western societies values.

Worth a listen

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An unbelievable account of how we have, and continue to make decisions that knowingly negatively impact millions of people’s lives. Brutally honest. It’s a must read for all policy makers, heath care professionals and everyone working in ‘mental health’ - workplaces, justice, education, community, etc!! And also everyone who has ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This book has truly got me thinking about my own role and how I can influence change. Thank you!!

Must Read for everyone!

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