Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness

Wow. This book - every single page - has been an amazing experience. I originally picked this up as a high school student who needed a "pulitzer prize winning non-fiction book" to read as an independent reading assignment. I was expecting myself to get caught in another period of laziness as I always did, where I simply spark-noted or shmooped the book, never gaining the actual experience of it. I was wrong. As soon as I read the first couple of chapters (I always have the intention of reading the full book, but many times I never get around to it) I was captivated, and knew I would read the entire thing. It was horrifying and shocking to me that this book was reporting things that were going on in the United States of America, where I lived. Of course I had heard of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder before, but this gave me another level of insight on not only the people affected by it, but the system which they have to deal with. I remember before reading this book, I would go out and see a homeless person talking to themselves, and I would be legitimately frightened, as it was something of the unknown. What was wrong with them? That was all I could think of. Nowadays in society everyone has this belief that "crazy" people are "crazy" as a result of some traumatic experience of the past, whether it was child abuse, drug abuse, or rape. When parents see a homeless person, they often say "that's what drugs do to you." This book shows how wrong these assumptions can be. Pete Earely has given me so much knowledge on mental health and the mental health system and I truly appreciate it. I have a completely different view of the issues presented in this book now. This is a great read, and everyone should read it. And I promise they won't regret it.

I preface that this is not meant to be a hope-filled, happy-ending sort of text. This is a true account of what the mental health care system has been for dozens of individuals, both those with mental illness and those dedicated to their betterment and safety. This is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those who want unto read something light and move on. This will stay with you and impact you in some way. Truly revolutionary. This is an important manifesto calling for action in the treatment of those who have been mistreated for centuries - those with mental illness. This was a combination of fact-based journalism, memoir, op-ed, and biography - wrapped in a narrative nonfiction bow. The writing was beautiful and tugged at emotions while also being an informative, complex informational text that makes one rethink the many highs and lows of the mental health movement. I am better for having read this and that is all I could ask. Thank you, Pete Earley, for sharing a story that didn’t have to be told - but made an impact in a way that motivates advocacy and compassion from those read it. Thank you Mike, for being a voice in change as well and allowing your story to be told.

We desperately need to revamp the mental health system. This book is excellent and eye opening. Thank you Pete Earley.

As a former bondsman the U.S. Jail system is no place for the mentally ill. No one wants the warehouse state hospitals back although some state hospitals are needed. Just as I read this book a California women who was mentally ill was awarded 1.5 million for fighting against a CHP officer for pulling her out of traffic on a highway. This book does a great job of showing the battles a family goes through trying to get their loved one care in current legal setting. The research is extensive and the work appreciated by me. I only hope legislatures read this book. It's easy to read and the relationships the author has with the subjects keep you wanting to know more about there stories. I'm glad I read it.

I found two problems with this 361-page book. First, it was written in 2006; and there have been many advances in mental health care in the intervening years. Second, the book has a somewhat narrow focus, i.e., relatively mild mental illness and its intersection with our criminal justice system. That said, it is an excellent introduction to the way that we deal with mental illness in America. The book is written from a personal perspective. The author was a reporter for The Washington Post. His college-age son was arrested for breaking into a house in New York, using the bathtub and generally damaging the property. Although mental health experts said that this event was the result of a bipolar condition of the brain, criminal charges were brought against the author's son. Pete Earley tried to get psychiatric help for his son but he soon discovered that he had no power to determine the medical treatment of his adult son. In the meanwhile, the criminal proceeding worsened. Earley then decided to conduct an investigation of the circumstances that confronted him. His search for knowledgeable authorities led him to Miami, and Dr. Joseph Portier, Judge Steven Leifman, Rachel Diaz, Judy Robinson and Tom Mullen. He describes the experiences of those persons, and then follows the actual experience of approximately eight inmates of the Miami mental health program. The descriptions are explicit. Earley offers the opinion that much of the present problem originated when the federal courts adopted a policy of "deinstitutionalization" which closed large mental health hospitals and unleashed many mentally ill persons into an environment that provided no mental health care. Earley argues - convincingly - that mentally ill persons do not belong in the criminal system, but there is no other place for them because the mental hospitals have been closed. The book repeatedly refers to the cause of mental illness as being a "chemical imbalance" in the brain, whereas the existing policies were developed under the assumption that mental illness was brought about by environmental factors. After the publication of this book, there have been additional studies that indicate neurological deficiencies as causes of mental illness. In fact, my attention to this book was brought about by an article in USA Today in which the National Institute of Mental Health stated that "mental disorders are biological disorders involving brain circuits." Pete Earley's comment was, "For too long, psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry have focused on finding ways to alleviate symptoms of severe mental disorders . . . we need a cure." I agree.

Because of the mental illness of his son, this author begins to investigate the legal system around ”crazy” people. What he had found was a broken one. Right to not take any medication or any treatment are examples of a dysfunctional legal act. The comes and goes from hospital to prison in a kind of a revolving door is another example. Some individuals histories and perspectives written inside, helps the reader understand some everyday difficulties involving ”nuts”. Patience, love, companionship, friendship, and hard work are all the tools that people with mental illness need to fight for minimal support to get ahead in their lives. The book also shows that the worst thing that could happen to those with mental health problems is to be let alone, to live or die by themselves. Excellent book, five stars for sure.

We all should be informed of the info contained in this book.

This was a really enjoyable read for anyone who is interested in mental illness. Early's first hand experience and expert writing allow this to be a highly informative but easy read.