Media madness: public images of mental illness

Otto F. Wahl

Rutgers University Press, 1995 - Psychology - 220 pages

Winner of the 1996 Gustavus Myers Award for an Outstanding Book on Human Rights in North America "Media Madness is a most timely, readable, and useful book, exposing, as it does, the myths about mental illness that most of us live by--myths that are as destructive as they are pervasive. Wahl is especially good at showing, in detail, the many ways in which false views of mental illness, purveyed in the media, shape the ways even the most enlightened of us view the world around us. A most thoughtful, stimulating book, from which I learned a great deal." --Jay Neugeboren, author of Imagining Robert: My Brother, Madness, and Survival--A Memoir "An outstanding book . . . well-researched . . . it is 'must reading.'" --Laurie Flynn, former executive director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill "The rampant inaccuracies about mental illnesses in newspapers, magazines, movies, and books make it clear that this is not merely stereotyping, but rather a pervasive ignorance. Dr. Wahl's book goes far to explain where the errors are and to educate and sensitize the reader to frequent inaccuracies. In addition, the book is very readable." --NAMI Advocate "What do the media have to do with one's perception of mental illness? Wahl takes an in-depth look a how unfavorable public images of mental illness are often inaccurate. Statistics show that one out of every five people in the U.S. will experience a psychiatric illness. With boldness and sensitivity, Wahl takes a powerful look at the inaccurate stereotypes created by the media."

What people are saying

Review: Media Madness: Public Images of Mental Illness

User Review  - Tammra - Goodreads

This is a great book that discusses how film, television, other forms of media have shaped public perception of and the misconceptions and stigma surrounding the mentally ill. Read it and wake-up. Educate yourself!

Review: Media Madness: Public Images of Mental Illness

User Review  - Jennifer - Goodreads

"Media images of mental illness are just as inaccurate and defaming as the worst stereotypes of any [other marginalized group]. The depictions of mental illness that have found their way into almost ...

Contents

• Chapter Two Words and Laughter: 14
• Chapter Three A Breed Apart: 36
• Chapter Four Murder and Mayhem: 56
• Chapter Five So What?: 87
• Chapter Six So Why?: 110
• Chapter Seven Future Images: 132
• Chapter Eight Exit Lines: 164
• Appendix B Television Shows about Mental Illness: 180
• Notes: 195
• Index: 209

Bibliographic information

• Title: Media madness: public images of mental illness
• Author: Otto F. Wahl
• Edition: 2, illustrated
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press, 1995
• ISBN: 0813522137, 9780813522135
• Length: 220 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Mental Illness; Social Science / Media Studies