The Conscience of Psychiatry

This is the story of a heroic professional career that should inspire anyone who wants to live a principled life. For fifty years Peter R. Breggin, MD has been "the Conscience of Psychiatry." In the 1950's, as a Harvard undergraduate, he ran the most innovative volunteer program in the history of psychiatry. After his medical and psychiatric training were complete, in the early 1970s he conducted an international campaign that stopped the return of lobotomy and psychosurgery. Since then Dr. Breggin has been the world's most effective critic of electroshock treatment, the overuse of psychiatric drugs, the diagnosing and drugging of children, and the psychopharmaceutical complex. He is the author of dozens of scientific articles and more than 20 books including Talking Back to Prozac, Toxic Psychiatry and Medication Madness. In this first biography, more than fifty years of media excerpts about Dr. Breggin's work are combined with well over 100 contributions and commentaries about his influence from outstanding leaders in the fields of mental health, education and social reform including Candace Pert PhD, Jonathon Kozol, William Glasser MD, Al Siebert PhD, James Hillman PhD, Daniel Goleman PhD, Arianna Huffington, Kate Millet PhD, James Gordon MD, John Horgan, and members of the US Congress and Senate. From Time Magazine He has earned impressive academic credentials, published a string of books and shown up on Today and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Many patients rave about the doctor. "He's a wonderful person," says one satisfied customer. "He cares so much about his clients. He gave me the will to get better..." Breggin didn't start out to be a renegade... his background is pure establishment: Harvard College, Case Western Reserve Medical School, a teaching fellowship at Harvard Medical School. But early in his career, he became deeply disturbed by the treatment of psychiatric patients... In 1971 Breggin declared his rebellion, launching [his effort] to push for reform. Dr. Peter Breggin is one of the most amazing, wise and compassionate human beings I have ever known. ... Peter is a warrior of course, but as his core he is fueled much more by love, kindness and a genuine compassion than anger. Peter WANTS to help people, he LIVES to help people and that is the source of his power. Candace Pert, PhD; author, Molecules of Emotion In short, Peter Breggin has made a difference in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and mental health treatment...including thousands of people who would otherwise have been lobotomized, and to many more in creating hope that one can receive and one can practice treatments that actually help people. Bertram Karon, PhD; Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University Every child needs a hero-a champion who will speak truth to power. That hero is Peter Breggin. Jeffrey Moussaieff Mason, PhD; former Projects Director of the Freud Archives and best-selling author