Repairing Our Broken Mental Health Care System: Advice for Policymakers
January 17, 2020
Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) routinely have no access to adequate medication, psychological counseling, social support, and/or housing.
Allen Frances, MD
Advice to Families Coping With Psychiatric Problems
October 21, 2019
This third in the series provides advice to families on how best to cope with the psychiatric problems of a family member.
Advice to People Who Have Psychiatric Problems
October 8, 2019
Recently DSM-IV Chair Allen Frances, MD wrote 50 pieces of advice to clinicians on how best to help their patients. It seems fitting, then, to provide an equal portion of advice for patients who seek help from those clinicians.
Advice to Young Psychiatrists From a Very Old One
October 4, 2019
Here it is—the 50 most important things Allan Frances, MD, has learned in over 50 years studying psychiatry.
Dungeons and Back Alleys: The Fate of the Mentally Ill in America
October 4, 2019
The “deinstitionalization” movement was meant to correct a stream of neglected patients, a demoralized and disengaged staff, and disappearing doctors. That didn't happen.
Restoring Respect to People With Mental Illness
July 31, 2019
It takes decisive action, not words, to really end stigma.
Mental Illness, Civil Liberty, and Common Sense
July 3, 2018
More than any other medical specialty, we sometimes feel compelled, and empowered, to treat patients against their will. With this comes two great responsibilities.
Privatizing Mental Health Has Led To ‘Insane Consequences’
June 16, 2017
We have criminalized mental health problems—a barbaric throwback to the dismal conditions before the Enlightenment.
Psychiatry and Anti-Psychiatry
February 26, 2016
In the opinion of the author, the psychiatry/anti-psychiatry rift has had a devastating effect on the lives of people with severe psychiatric problems.
Setting the Record Straight on Antipsychotics
February 17, 2016
Setting the record straight on what the literature does and does not say about long-term use of antipsychotics.
