Take a Journey of Discovery into Madness and the Deeper Realms of Human Experience . As the recovery research continues to accumulate, we fnd that the mainstream understanding of schizophrenia and psychosis has lost nearly all credibility: t Afer over 100 years and billions of dollars spent on research looking for schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders in the brain, we still have not found any substantial evidence that these disorders are actually caused by a brain disease. t We have learned that full recovery from schizophrenia and other related psy- chotic disorders is not only possible but is surprisingly common. t We’ve discovered that those diagnosed in the United States and other “developed” nations are much less likely to recover than those in the poorest countries of the world; furthermore, those diagnosed with a psychotic disor- der in the West today may fare even worse than those so diagnosed over 100 years ago. t We’ve seen that the long-term use of antipsychotics and the mainstream psychiatric paradigm of care is likely to be causing signifcantly more harm than beneft, greatly increasing the likelihood that a transient psychotic epi- sode will harden into a chronic psychotic condition. t And we’ve learned that many people who recover from these psychotic disor- ders do not merely return to their pre-psychotic condition, but ofen undergo a profound positive transformation with far more lasting benefts than harms. In Rethinking Madness, Dr. Paris Williams takes the reader step by step on a highly engaging journey of discovery, exploring how the mainstream understanding of schizophrenia has become so profoundly misguided. He reveals the fndings of his own pioneering research of people who have fully recovered from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, weaving the stories of these participants into the existing literature and crafing a surprisingly clear and coherent vision of the entire psychotic process, from onset to full recovery. As this vision unfolds, we discover… …a deeper sense of appreciation for the profound wisdom and resilience that lie within all of our beings, even those we may think of as being deeply disturbed. …ways to support those struggling with psychotic experiences while also com- ing to appreciate the important ways that these individuals can contribute to society. …that by gaining a deeper understanding of madness, we gain a deeper under- standing of the core existential dilemmas with which we all must struggle, arriving at the unsettling realization of just how thin the boundary really is between madness and sanity. More Acclaim for Rethinking Madness “In this eye-opening book, Paris Williams efectively challenges the prevailing myths about the origins and treatment of psychosis, suggesting that it is a natu- ral, although precarious, process of self-restoration that should be protected, rather than a hopeless lifelong degenerative brain disease to be managed and medicated. Te mounting evidence for the abject failure of the medical model to treat psychosis is presented alongside six case studies of people who fully recovered despite psychiatric treatment and who felt more deeply in touch with hope, meaning, a sense of aliveness and the interconnectedness of life as a re- sult of their difcult journeys. Williams also ofers an innovative and profound model that synthesizes current Existential theory, attachment theory and Bud- dhist mindfulness perspectives. Rethinking Madness is an important and hope- ful book.” John J. Prendergast, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology, senior editor of Te Sacred Mirror and Listening From the Heart of Silence, and editor-in- chief of Undivided: Te Online Journal of Nonduality and Psychology “With his groundbreaking new book, Rethinking Madness, Paris Williams takes us into a world in which he joins psychology with Buddhism and Western phi- losophy to give us a panoramic view of how madness is born, matures, and may be resolved. Backed by an extensive and engaging survey of historical and con- temporary views of psychosis and its etiology, Williams presents an integrative, deep and ultimately humane body of theory and practice that will be of great use to anyone working in this intriguing and difcult area.” Joe Goodbread, Ph.D., author of Living on the Edge and Befriending Confict “Every page of this book was exciting to me, ofering clear, profound insights not only into the processes of psychosis/alternative realities, but also into philo- sophical views about human experience, including the spiritual elements of the psychotic process. While Dr. Williams never trivializes the anguish and psychic and sometimes physical pain mentally ill people endure, he is never without hope for their relief. His help/harm equation in the recovery process had me enthralled with its truth. Tis book should be a part of the training of every physician, psychiatrist, and pastoral counselor, and owned by the family and friends of every mentally ill person as well as the suferers themselves.” Joanne Greenberg, author of the international bestseller I Never Promised You a Rose Garden “Tis book contains a brave, well-researched, and invaluable new approach to the vexing subject of psychosis. Te case studies and the conclusions are novel and unique in their formulations. Te insights and theoretical postulates de- rived from this research are important and likely to move the feld forward in unexpected ways. For people who have experienced psychosis or altered states, it is a ray of hope in their struggle to thrive.” Peter Stastny, M.D., lecturer of Epidemiology and Co-Author of Te Lives they Lef Behind—Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic “Paris Williams has written a much needed and extremely thoughtful critique of the major approaches to psychosis. Current psychiatric treatment, while helpful for some, has proven inadequate for most psychotic patients. Tis book helps us to understand why. But beyond ofering a critical appraisal of current methods, Williams also ofers a powerfully hopeful vision of new possibilities for the treatment and transformation of this puzzling disorder.” Brant Cortright, Ph.D., professor of psychology, and author of Psychotherapy and Spirit and Integral Psychology “Dr. Paris Williams presents a clearly written comprehensive treatise on mad- ness. Deceptively easy to understand, yet thought provoking and challenging, his work ofers plausible reasons to overcome the too simple historical medical approaches that ignore the richness of the human experience and the positive potential inherent in one’s journey through madness. Dr. Williams’ book will expand the reader’s view of this quintessential and ubiquitous human experi- ence that we have come to call madness.” Ronald Bassman, Ph.D., author of A Fight to Be: A Psychologist’s Experience from Both Sides of the Locked Door “Tis is an important book. It states boldly what many of us working in the feld and following research based on lived experience have come to suspect: ‘the mainstream vision of psychosis currently held in the West is somehow se- riously missing the mark.’ Tis book provides compelling research evidence to support this conclusion as well as gathering and developing more hopeful alternatives that ofer real healing.” Isabel Clarke, author of Madness, Mystery and the Survival of God, and editor of Psychosis and Spirituality “Rollo May once said, ‘One does not become fully human painlessly.’ Dr. Paris Williams’ search for what it really means to be human and how to fully reinvent oneself afer being diagnosed with a so-called mental illness echoes May’s as- sertion. Moreover, Williams’ book teaches us that there is a person behind the label of madness and that madness can just be one’s motion towards healing. Tis book brings hope to many people who sufer from so-called mental illness and who struggle with the concept of illness, and opens up the dialogue in psy- chology beyond just the medical model.” Doris Bersing, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of clinical training at Saybrook University “Rethinking Madness is clear, thorough, fascinating and bold. It is written in easy to understand English, not postmodern jargon; it thoroughly examines and debunks the psychiatric model; and Williams is not afraid to make contro- versial afrmations. Anyone who is skeptical about the mental health system will be convinced afer reading Williams’ book: Tere is an alternative.” Seth Farber, Ph.D., author of Madness, Heresy, and the Rumor of Angels, and Te Spiritual Gif of Madness: Te Failure of Psychiatry and Te Rise of the Mad Pride Movement Rethinking Madness is one of those rare works that successfully challenges psy- chiatry’s widely accepted but objectively incorrect beliefs about the extremes of human experience, and does so in a manner that is both scholarly yet acces- sible. Williams is a wonderfully clear writer dealing expertly with a complex range of theory and deep human experience, and Rethinking Madness is an important book that cannot help but leave the reader with new insights and a sense of wonder at the self-healing power within each of us. Darby Penney, co-author of Te Lives Tey Lef Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic Rethinking Madness Towards a Paradigm Shif in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis Paris Williams, Ph.D. Sky’S EdgE SAN FRANCISCO 2012 Sky’s Edge Publishing 101 Vendola Drive San Rafael, CA 94903 www.skysedgepublishing.com Copyright © 2012 by Paris Williams All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy or reprint portions for noncommercial use only. No commercial use of the material is allowed without express written permission from the author. ISBN: 978-0-9849867-0-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2012901521 Library of Congress subject headings: Schizophrenia -- Treatment. Psychoses -- Treatment Schizophrenia -- Case studies Schizophrenia -- Etiology Ex-mental patients -- Case studies Contents (brief) Contents (detailed) x List of Tables xvii List of Figures xviii Acknowledgments xx Preface xxii Introduction: Te Case of Sam 1 Part One: Deconstructing the Myths of Madness 11 1.