Wednesday, April 13, 2011

IRE Award Winner- Robert Whitaker!

Congratulations to Robert Whitaker, author of "Anatomy of an Epidemic", and 'Mad in America", for being one of the few recipients of a 2010 IRE award, winning the category of best book. This prestigious award, given to those in journalism was just announced, 430 journalists were considered for these awards.

The awards, given by Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. since 1979, recognize the most outstanding watchdog journalism of the year. The contest covers 18 categories across media platforms and a range of market sizes.

What IRE had to say about Robert Whitaker,

Book: Robert Whitaker for “Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America.” This eye-opening investigation of the pharmaceutical industry and its relationship with the medical system lays out troubling evidence that the very medications prescribed for mental illness may, in increasing measure, be part of the problem. Whitaker marshals evidence to suggest medications “increase the risk that a person will become disabled” permanently by disorders such as depression, bipolar illness and schizophrenia. This book provides an in-depth exploration of medical studies and science and intersperses compelling anecdotal examples. In the end, Whitaker punches holes in the conventional wisdom of treatment of mental illness with drugs.

The entire press release can be found here.  His books can be purchased at Amazon, or your favorite book store. "Anatomy of an Epidemic" is also on audio tape via Audible, and will be released in paperback on August 2, 2011. It's available for pre-order right now on Amazon.
My review on this book can be found here. 

4 comments:

bipolrtude said...

Susan,

Awesome resource. I definitely will get this on Amazon to help me as I navigate the pharma route. I know the drugs have helped in my diagnosis/crisis, but I don't want to be on them forever... You know what I'm sayin'?

Thanks, Susan!

jt

soulful sepulcher said...

This book is a great expose of the industry creating illness (ask yourself why America only has an 'epidemic')I highly recommend the book for anyone remotely thinking of taking or already taking any psych meds.

Great documentary to view also is 'Generation RX' which features Robert Whitaker in the film.

The book highlights the success OFF medications in Finnish study, long term use of antipsychotics causes more harm that benefit (brain shrinkage).

It also highlights the SSI increase of ppl disabled in higher numbers who take psych meds.

Whitaker is one of the best qualified resources for this topic.

Natalie said...

Yay! Really glad to see he's being recognized for his incredibly important (not to mention courageous) work.

Definitely a must read for anyone on meds or considering meds. The very least we owe ourselves is to be truly informed participants in our own healing.

Thanks for sharing. :)

Syd said...

Thanks for the reference, Susan. Big pharma is in the game to make money for sure. And if that means getting people hooked, then more $$.

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