“Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America” by Robert Whitaker Although the U.S. has made advances in psychiatric treatments, the number of disabled mentally ill has tripled over the past twenty years. In “Anatomy of an Epidemic,” Robert Whitaker tries to make sense of this paradox. Using scientific evidence as his tool, Whitaker provides a surgical analysis of the problem….and the results will shock you. By tracing the history of psychiatric treatments, Whitaker questions our current biological understanding of psychiatric disorders, and posits that the long-term effects of psychiatric drugs may actually be doing more harm than good—worsening the prognosis of the mentally ill. “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat” by Oliver Sacks Oliver Sacks was a prolific writer, authoring fifteen books. “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat” may be his best. Sacks, a neurologist, illustrates the art of medicine using vignettes of his clinical experiences with patients, as well as references from your favorite philosophers. Not only does Sacks humanize his patients, but he also reflects on their neurological afflictions to answer questions on memory, consciousness and, ultimately, what it means to be human. “America’s Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Backroom Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System” by Steven Brill “America’s Bitter Pill” is an enthralling read about an insurance system that we all use and, thanks to author Steven Brill, can now almost fully understand. By providing an insider’s look at how Obamacare was created, Steven Brill untangles the anxious network of twists and turns that point us to doctors, treatments, and co-pays. As you read, you’ll see how competing interests like pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurance companies and, of course, the federal government negotiate health care reform. “Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche” by Ethan Watters In the U.S., we have formed our own understanding of what depression is and how it’s treated. But, can our definitions of mental illness be used in other nations where cultures are very different? And, is it ethical to introduce western psychiatric drugs to societies that may not view mental illness in the same way we do? In “Crazy Like Us,” Ethan Watters answers these questions. Using examples of anorexia in Hong Kong, PTSD in Sri Lanka, and more, Watters reveals cultural differences in mental illness and exposes the harm in globalizing our American psyche. “Drug Dealer, MD: How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop” by Anna Lembke In “Drug Dealer MD,” Anna Lembke explains our nation’s opioid epidemic. Lembke, a psychiatrist, provides captivating accounts of patients who’ve experienced the crisis first-hand. She also traces the forces that have shaped the outbreak, including the increased availability of pain medications for patients. In all, “Drug Dealer MD” is bold and eye-opening, as Lembke makes sure to hold pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and healthcare professionals accountable for their roles in the epidemic. “How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America” by Otis Webb Brawley and Paul Goldberg Oncologist Otis Webb Brawley uncovers an unfortunate reality in “How We Do Harm”—he maps out disparities in our healthcare system and advocates for the use of evidence-based research to determine treatments. But, on the way, Brawley also explains his unique experiences as a black physician in Grady Memorial Hospital, the largest public hospital in the U.S. “Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic” by Sam Quinones The opioid epidemic is perhaps our greatest public health crisis. To put this in perspective, overdoses claim more lives in the U.S. annually than car accidents. As a doctor, you’ll very likely see patients who are struggling with addiction. In “Dreamland,” Sam Quinones humanizes these patients by depicting how powerful opioids lay claim on our nervous systems. Quinones also delves deep into the forces that have driven the epidemic, including pharmaceutical companies’ heavy reliance on barebones research to support the widespread usage of pain meds. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi Paul Kalanithi was an accomplished neurosurgery resident, well on his way to becoming a prominent surgeon-researcher. But, his life plans completely changed when he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. In “When Breath Becomes Air,” Kalanithi examines the meaning of life when on the brink of death. Although Kalanithi passed away in 2015, his memory lives on with his beautifully written, insightful memoir. “Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery” by Henry Marsh In “Do No Harm,” Henry Marsh talks about his life as a neurosurgeon. Aspiring doctors will learn a ton from this book, as Marsh goes into gritty detail on what it’s like to remove tumors from the most intricate parts of our brain. “What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine” by Danielle Ofri For doctors, practicing medicine can be emotionally draining. After putting your heart and soul into treating a patient, there are times when it, unfortunately, doesn’t pay off. In “What Doctors Feel,” physician Danielle Ofri talks about these situations. Using personal anecdotes from her medical career, Ofri details the emotional world of medicine, and offers ways to cope with both failure and success. “Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction” by Samir Okasha “Philosophy of Science” isn’t a book of medicine, but it’s an especially useful book for future doctors who are also interested in pursuing research. In his book, Samir Okasha discusses both the concept and practice of science—which is the foundation of medicine. A number of concepts are explained, including scientific reasoning, realism vs. anti-realism, and conflicts between science and religion. “Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients” by Ben Goldacre For doctors, prescribing medications is commonplace. And, most of the time, we don’t really stop to think about where these drugs came from, or the research studies that evaluated their safety and efficacy. In “Bad Pharma,” Ben Goldacre takes a deep dive into how pharmaceutical companies misuse clinical trials to get their drugs on market. Goldacre’s evaluation is well-supported and eye-opening. After reading, you’ll want to uncover more about our drugs—which is exactly what Goldacre intended. Source
