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A review by boodlez
Sane New World: Taming The Mind by Ruby Wax
1.0
Mental health is a sensitive and important subject, which Ruby Wax bludgeons in order to leave her fame-grabbing mark.
Unfortunately, Wax attempts to adopt an 'expert' position, presents a medicalised account of 'illness' and uses little research to back up her (often completely mis-stated) claims. I hope that readers cast a critical eye (or ear, as I did listening to it on audiobook) when broaching this book, rather than passively accepting the ill-informed diatribe presented as fact. I'm saddened by the sweeping generalisations made, which were not evidence-based, yet overstated with forceful conviction.
The biggest disappointment for me was the heavy reliance on the medical model of mental health. Despite lengthy discussions of the distressing elements of her life and repeatedly recalling trauma she had experienced, there was no acknowledgement of the psychosocial factors which influence mental health and emotional wellbeing. Why did I have to endure a rigid, biased and defensive recount of Ruby's own life, only for this all to be dismissed and the impact upon mental health minimised with a 'depression is when something goes wrong in the brain' message? Wax describes herself as a psychoanalyst, yet I'm sure many psychoanalysts are befuddled and bemused by this.
Ruby's reductionist rant repeatedly refers to her negative childhood experience of her mother - often at inopportune moments which jar the flow of the book rather than adding quality description - yet has no insight into the way she dismisses, abandons and rejects her own children. Wax uses this opportunity to slate those she sees as having wronged her and indulges in seething rants which she rounds off with irrelevant talk of synapses and neurons.
I am left with the sense that Ruby Wax is still trying to find her way, still in internal conflict with many anxieties and still working towards resolution of her issues.
This could be a wonderful opportunity for a reflective, open and insightful piece, which would engage many and help bring about a paradigm shift in the way emotional health is perceived. Thoughtful formulation of how Ruby's experiences have impacted upon her would have helped readers to understand that mental health problems are a product of wide and varied factors, including traumas, losses, relationships, culture, society, spirituality, physical health et al., and relate to this. Instead, it is presented as a mysterious medical illness which makes people with mental health issues seem defective, different or scary, and raises a barrier between those affected and those with better emotional health.
I am utterly disappointed and thoroughly concerned about the damaging messages which are conveyed throughout. Littered with errors and inaccurate statements, at best, this book is an insight into Wax's dark world. Dubbed as a self-help book, I can't imagine anyone wishing for support around mental health would gain anything positive from this. I recommend that you do not bother reading this book.
Unfortunately, Wax attempts to adopt an 'expert' position, presents a medicalised account of 'illness' and uses little research to back up her (often completely mis-stated) claims. I hope that readers cast a critical eye (or ear, as I did listening to it on audiobook) when broaching this book, rather than passively accepting the ill-informed diatribe presented as fact. I'm saddened by the sweeping generalisations made, which were not evidence-based, yet overstated with forceful conviction.
The biggest disappointment for me was the heavy reliance on the medical model of mental health. Despite lengthy discussions of the distressing elements of her life and repeatedly recalling trauma she had experienced, there was no acknowledgement of the psychosocial factors which influence mental health and emotional wellbeing. Why did I have to endure a rigid, biased and defensive recount of Ruby's own life, only for this all to be dismissed and the impact upon mental health minimised with a 'depression is when something goes wrong in the brain' message? Wax describes herself as a psychoanalyst, yet I'm sure many psychoanalysts are befuddled and bemused by this.
Ruby's reductionist rant repeatedly refers to her negative childhood experience of her mother - often at inopportune moments which jar the flow of the book rather than adding quality description - yet has no insight into the way she dismisses, abandons and rejects her own children. Wax uses this opportunity to slate those she sees as having wronged her and indulges in seething rants which she rounds off with irrelevant talk of synapses and neurons.
I am left with the sense that Ruby Wax is still trying to find her way, still in internal conflict with many anxieties and still working towards resolution of her issues.
This could be a wonderful opportunity for a reflective, open and insightful piece, which would engage many and help bring about a paradigm shift in the way emotional health is perceived. Thoughtful formulation of how Ruby's experiences have impacted upon her would have helped readers to understand that mental health problems are a product of wide and varied factors, including traumas, losses, relationships, culture, society, spirituality, physical health et al., and relate to this. Instead, it is presented as a mysterious medical illness which makes people with mental health issues seem defective, different or scary, and raises a barrier between those affected and those with better emotional health.
I am utterly disappointed and thoroughly concerned about the damaging messages which are conveyed throughout. Littered with errors and inaccurate statements, at best, this book is an insight into Wax's dark world. Dubbed as a self-help book, I can't imagine anyone wishing for support around mental health would gain anything positive from this. I recommend that you do not bother reading this book.