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A review by laynescherer
Ordinarily Well: The Case for Antidepressants by Peter D. Kramer
4.0
Ordinarily Well does an amazing job of illustrating the caution we should exercise when we see splashy headlines about psychopharmacueticals. There's a wealth of history about the development of the research methodology and the growth of an industry.
I really enjoyed the care Kramer took in explaining the differences in trials, statistical tools, and comparative analyses. He unpacks concepts like placebo effect, additivity, efficacy, diagnostic scales (Hamilton), effect size, and counterfactuals in an accessible and compelling way.
The structure of the book also allows for a sense of contemplation and reflection- what have the decisions made by the research community, pharma companies, medical professionals, and media done to shape our understanding of mental health? What could it have been like if other ideas had flourished?
Like many non-fiction books I read, I do felt like I ran out of juice toward the end. Still worth a read, although I suspect if you put it down 2/3 of the way through, you'll still take away the big picture.
I really enjoyed the care Kramer took in explaining the differences in trials, statistical tools, and comparative analyses. He unpacks concepts like placebo effect, additivity, efficacy, diagnostic scales (Hamilton), effect size, and counterfactuals in an accessible and compelling way.
The structure of the book also allows for a sense of contemplation and reflection- what have the decisions made by the research community, pharma companies, medical professionals, and media done to shape our understanding of mental health? What could it have been like if other ideas had flourished?
Like many non-fiction books I read, I do felt like I ran out of juice toward the end. Still worth a read, although I suspect if you put it down 2/3 of the way through, you'll still take away the big picture.