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Recovering Sanity: A Compassionate Approach to Understanding and Treating Psychosis
Recovering Sanity is a compassionately written examination of the experience of psychosis and related mental illnesses. By presenting four in-depth profiles of illness and recovery, Dr. Edward Podvoll reveals the brilliance and chaos of the psychotic mind and demonstrates its potential for recovery outside of traditional institutional settings.
Dr. Podvoll counters the conventional thinking that the millions of Americans suffering from psychosis can never fully recover. He offers a bold new approach to treatment that involves home care with a specially trained team of practitioners. Using "basic attendance," a treatment technique inspired by the author's study of Buddhist psychology, healthcare professionals can use the tools of compassion and awareness to help patients recover their underlying sanity. Originally published as The Seduction of Madness, this reissue includes new introductory material and two new appendices.
Dr. Podvoll counters the conventional thinking that the millions of Americans suffering from psychosis can never fully recover. He offers a bold new approach to treatment that involves home care with a specially trained team of practitioners. Using "basic attendance," a treatment technique inspired by the author's study of Buddhist psychology, healthcare professionals can use the tools of compassion and awareness to help patients recover their underlying sanity. Originally published as The Seduction of Madness, this reissue includes new introductory material and two new appendices.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 12, 2013
To me this is a seminal book in psychology/psychiatry, health, and spirituality. I've read this book more times than any other, first picking it up in 2008-9. It continues to teach me about my own mind and others. And has without question supported my own management/recovery from extreme states.
At it's core Podvall's book proposes an alternative way of thinking about the nature of 'psychosis' (alternative to medical model derivatives). It uses a few case studies to illustrate how the potential and elements of psychosis are factors of our human nature or nature of mind. The non-fiction cases are granted somewhat wild and dramatized - as well written as any piece of fantasy-fiction - one being of Donald Crowhurst (see motion picture called "Deep Water"); the book staying true to it's original title "The Seduction of Madness".
The culminating working model of how psychosis evolves however allows anyone to relate to the experience of losing contact with 'reality'. In doing so it aims to humanize the experience; it typically carrying much stigma and alien-quality to it. It is a powerful proposition if one can allow themselves an honest self-exploration with Podvall's ideas. For therapists in particular Podvall notes that one's "training has the same form as the pathway to recovery from illness" (p.371). It is a mutual recovery that takes place of the human spirit.
If our entire health system took this view much less harm would be done to people experiencing these extreme states, and many more people would likely seek help if needed.
Built upon Buddhist notions (Tibetan, Shambhala tradition), it speaks, as would be expected, to our interdependence and the emptiness of experience. And for anyone practicing (particularly in Mahayana schools of thought) is a worthwhile read - ways to raise bodhichitta!
At it's core Podvall's book proposes an alternative way of thinking about the nature of 'psychosis' (alternative to medical model derivatives). It uses a few case studies to illustrate how the potential and elements of psychosis are factors of our human nature or nature of mind. The non-fiction cases are granted somewhat wild and dramatized - as well written as any piece of fantasy-fiction - one being of Donald Crowhurst (see motion picture called "Deep Water"); the book staying true to it's original title "The Seduction of Madness".
The culminating working model of how psychosis evolves however allows anyone to relate to the experience of losing contact with 'reality'. In doing so it aims to humanize the experience; it typically carrying much stigma and alien-quality to it. It is a powerful proposition if one can allow themselves an honest self-exploration with Podvall's ideas. For therapists in particular Podvall notes that one's "training has the same form as the pathway to recovery from illness" (p.371). It is a mutual recovery that takes place of the human spirit.
If our entire health system took this view much less harm would be done to people experiencing these extreme states, and many more people would likely seek help if needed.
Built upon Buddhist notions (Tibetan, Shambhala tradition), it speaks, as would be expected, to our interdependence and the emptiness of experience. And for anyone practicing (particularly in Mahayana schools of thought) is a worthwhile read - ways to raise bodhichitta!
December 11, 2011
A close friend since adolescence and once an apartment-mate, Tom married, moved to San Francisco and had three children. Generally, we see one another at least once a year for a week or longer, maintaining contact in the interim. Consequently, I've watched the kids grow up.
Of the three offspring, the youngest, now in early adulthood, has been the closest friend, a friendship which began when he started getting interested in philosophy during adolescence. Then, just at the end of high school, I was told that he was going mad.
For a while he was calling me regularly on the telephone, his voice barely audible, his speech punctuated by long pauses. I was honored by the attention, concerned about his behavior. Still, it seemed we had a rapport, that he was being frank with me, that he was seeking something from me.
Last fall I arranged to have a four week visit to California, partly to spend time with him, partly to help his uncle in Sonoma move into a new house. The days with him were primarily devoted to long walks: walks to see his two therapists, walks from his home in the outskirts of the city to the downtown area, walks that would take up to eight hours. The activity was good. I like walking, especially if exploratory, and appreciated the companionship. He was often, but not always, silent. When he spoke it seemed a natural, not a forced thing.
At home, at night, he would exercise or do the dinner dishes for hours--or he would just be alone, motionless, until his parents went to bed. Then he'd join me on the back deck, drowsy from the medications he was taking.
When I finally went to the airport to return to Chicago, he came out with me for the long wait. I was, as ever, honored by his attention and somewhat unhappy about leaving. Our relaxed days together had seemed a good thing for both of us.
Back home over the following year I got regular reports about his condition from his father and his uncle. Things got worse: anorexia, paranoia, megalomania, repeated hospitalizations. He no longer called.
The uncle had Podvoll's book mailed to me with his nephew in mind. Recovering Sanity is refreshing in that it suggests that the psychoses are (1) "normal" in the sense of common and generally accessible to anyone (though not recommended, the author believes that certain psychotropics are schizomimetic--a plausible hypothesis), (2) curable. These views correspond to my own personal experiences and, while not provable, are certainly much more constructive assumptions than the common belief that they are of an organic aetiology--treatable in some cases, but not yet curable.
What Podvoll cares to emphasize in his book is twofold. The first portion of the book concerns several cases of psychosis: of dementia praecox, of manic-depressiveness, of megalomania--all of them described by experiencers, all but one of whom got better. The second portion of the book concerns his work attempting to treat such cases through the creation of healing environments. I found the case studies to be fascinating, the treatment descriptions to be almost unreadably boring owing to their obviousness and his verbose and repetitive manner of discussing them (someone living with a psychotic, however, might find this useful and much more interesting than I did).
Of the three offspring, the youngest, now in early adulthood, has been the closest friend, a friendship which began when he started getting interested in philosophy during adolescence. Then, just at the end of high school, I was told that he was going mad.
For a while he was calling me regularly on the telephone, his voice barely audible, his speech punctuated by long pauses. I was honored by the attention, concerned about his behavior. Still, it seemed we had a rapport, that he was being frank with me, that he was seeking something from me.
Last fall I arranged to have a four week visit to California, partly to spend time with him, partly to help his uncle in Sonoma move into a new house. The days with him were primarily devoted to long walks: walks to see his two therapists, walks from his home in the outskirts of the city to the downtown area, walks that would take up to eight hours. The activity was good. I like walking, especially if exploratory, and appreciated the companionship. He was often, but not always, silent. When he spoke it seemed a natural, not a forced thing.
At home, at night, he would exercise or do the dinner dishes for hours--or he would just be alone, motionless, until his parents went to bed. Then he'd join me on the back deck, drowsy from the medications he was taking.
When I finally went to the airport to return to Chicago, he came out with me for the long wait. I was, as ever, honored by his attention and somewhat unhappy about leaving. Our relaxed days together had seemed a good thing for both of us.
Back home over the following year I got regular reports about his condition from his father and his uncle. Things got worse: anorexia, paranoia, megalomania, repeated hospitalizations. He no longer called.
The uncle had Podvoll's book mailed to me with his nephew in mind. Recovering Sanity is refreshing in that it suggests that the psychoses are (1) "normal" in the sense of common and generally accessible to anyone (though not recommended, the author believes that certain psychotropics are schizomimetic--a plausible hypothesis), (2) curable. These views correspond to my own personal experiences and, while not provable, are certainly much more constructive assumptions than the common belief that they are of an organic aetiology--treatable in some cases, but not yet curable.
What Podvoll cares to emphasize in his book is twofold. The first portion of the book concerns several cases of psychosis: of dementia praecox, of manic-depressiveness, of megalomania--all of them described by experiencers, all but one of whom got better. The second portion of the book concerns his work attempting to treat such cases through the creation of healing environments. I found the case studies to be fascinating, the treatment descriptions to be almost unreadably boring owing to their obviousness and his verbose and repetitive manner of discussing them (someone living with a psychotic, however, might find this useful and much more interesting than I did).
June 22, 2010
This book is intense, so intense that I had to put it down for a month. The intensity and our aversion with dealing with such disordered minds is treated as one of the obstacles that therapists and caretakers have to confront and lean into. The treatment is painstakingly detailed yet boils down to being ever present, not imposing your own worldview, supporting those islands of clarity when they appear, and not being afraid to confront your own fears and aversions when the patient pushs you. This is not a book for anyone who advocates medicating depression or psychosis. The book is hopeful for anyone who is looking for a more compassionate approach to treating psychosis, mania, depression, and less intense mental disorders. The case studies show that it is possible for someone to work their way back to sanity if they are surrounded by mindful caregivers yet it takes a deep commitment and a lot of time and presence to provide such care.
February 1, 2022
Without a doubt the most grounded approach towards psychotic states I have ever read. Sometimes Podvoll’s Buddhism had some biases, as he occasionally stressed the importance of “mind training,” and “lojong,” which, if understood incorrectly, could probably cause more harm than good. I think the buddhist perspective was a useful container for contextualizing his practice and perspective, yet it seemed to get in the way of validating some of his claims. Overall, whether or not you’re buddhist, this should be a mandatory reading for any clinician.
For those currently in the midst of a psychotic episode, this book may not be of service if it’s your first time reading it. It can be rather technical, and since the subject matter is about the experience of madness, there could be a high possibility of misinterpretation. However, for those who have the capacity to reality test and reorient themselves to a semi-stable baseline, this book may be an immense blessing to you.
For those currently in the midst of a psychotic episode, this book may not be of service if it’s your first time reading it. It can be rather technical, and since the subject matter is about the experience of madness, there could be a high possibility of misinterpretation. However, for those who have the capacity to reality test and reorient themselves to a semi-stable baseline, this book may be an immense blessing to you.
October 3, 2012
Starts off with 3 engrossing biographies of people who suffered psychosis. Two of the three manage to overcome it. All of them kept good records of their experience. Then a chapter about the French man of letters and images, Henri Michaux, who uncovered some of the smaller cognitions that lead to full scale delusions.
The second half of the book lays out the philosophy and methodology for creating a therapeutic home and engaging in the habits of basic attendance.
Favorite quote: “Rare indeed are the madmen equal to madness.” -Henri Michaux
The second half of the book lays out the philosophy and methodology for creating a therapeutic home and engaging in the habits of basic attendance.
Favorite quote: “Rare indeed are the madmen equal to madness.” -Henri Michaux
July 18, 2015
some very specific, encouraging ways to support the mentally ill
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews