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A review by noodal
Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness by Roy Richard Grinker
4.0
Picked this up in light of Mental Health Awareness month. Grinker explores the cultural elements that drive the negative stigma of mental illnesses, which he argues have stemmed from outdated Neoliberal/capitalist ideologies of productivity that relegate mental illnesses as deficiencies and weaknesses as if it was black and white, normal vs abnormal. Grinker presents a strong case for a spectrum that blurs and perhaps eliminates the divide between "normal" and "abnormal".
Though clearly thoroughly researched with several insightful anecdotes and case studies, I found it could have been much more succinct. As harrowing as the history of psychiatry seems in retrospect and as inspiring as these success stories where people with severe mental illness overcame their stigma are, it was very repetitive throughout the book.
At the same time, I would have liked to have had more discussion on the extent to how cultural factors have influenced the more recent phenomenon described by Dr. Rachel Yehuda:
I have seen this surface a lot in many American teens from both millennials and Gen Z. Many millennials still look fondly on (or appreciate that the difference from) their “emo” days, which glorified self-harm and broody behavior. Even when I was a teenager, I obsessed over "abnormal psychology" - in part, likely thanks to Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 hit movie The Dark Knight. I even convinced myself of having a shallow interpretation of schizophrenia; there was something so powerful about existing outside the norm, by instilling fear through unpredictability. (It was a weird, rebellious time in my life that I am long past.)
Yet we see somewhat similar examples more recently as well: the TikTok trend of users pretending to have Tourette’s syndrome or falsely diagnosing others with ADHD. While in some cases they were attempts to scam followers out of “donating” to support them, I am under the impression that such behavior signals an underlying motivation to seek the validation of their individuality (by demonstrating 'abnormality' as a proxy) or to gain entrance into the "kingdom of the sick". But I'm no expert, and this is just a presumption (one that I am open to changing).
But that does not mean we should perpetuate the distinction of mental illness from 'normalcy'. We should continue to learn and understand more about the various ways in which we communicate with one another and how our brains and bodies contribute to that.
Though clearly thoroughly researched with several insightful anecdotes and case studies, I found it could have been much more succinct. As harrowing as the history of psychiatry seems in retrospect and as inspiring as these success stories where people with severe mental illness overcame their stigma are, it was very repetitive throughout the book.
At the same time, I would have liked to have had more discussion on the extent to how cultural factors have influenced the more recent phenomenon described by Dr. Rachel Yehuda:
"Sometimes I wonder if we have swung the pendulum too far in reducing stigma, making some diagnoses far too broad and also glamorizing some mental illnesses, and perhaps even suicide."
I have seen this surface a lot in many American teens from both millennials and Gen Z. Many millennials still look fondly on (or appreciate that the difference from) their “emo” days, which glorified self-harm and broody behavior. Even when I was a teenager, I obsessed over "abnormal psychology" - in part, likely thanks to Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 hit movie The Dark Knight. I even convinced myself of having a shallow interpretation of schizophrenia; there was something so powerful about existing outside the norm, by instilling fear through unpredictability. (It was a weird, rebellious time in my life that I am long past.)
Yet we see somewhat similar examples more recently as well: the TikTok trend of users pretending to have Tourette’s syndrome or falsely diagnosing others with ADHD. While in some cases they were attempts to scam followers out of “donating” to support them, I am under the impression that such behavior signals an underlying motivation to seek the validation of their individuality (by demonstrating 'abnormality' as a proxy) or to gain entrance into the "kingdom of the sick". But I'm no expert, and this is just a presumption (one that I am open to changing).
But that does not mean we should perpetuate the distinction of mental illness from 'normalcy'. We should continue to learn and understand more about the various ways in which we communicate with one another and how our brains and bodies contribute to that.