Mad Woman Out of the Attic

Psychopharmacology

Lindsay Clancy and the Urgent Need for Conversation

Susanne Paola Antonetta on August 24, 2026

Personal Perspective: The prosecutor in Lindsay Clancy's murder case says it's "not a public debate about women’s mental health," but of course it is.

Personal Perspective: The prosecutor in Lindsay Clancy's murder case says it's "not a public debate about women’s mental health," but of course it is.

Genetics

The Soul of a New Eugenics

Susanne Paola Antonetta on July 2, 2026

Genetic profiles and the gene editor CRISPR threaten to bring a new eugenics of gene selection, but even eugenicist Foster Kennedy warned against limiting the diversity of the mind.

Genetic profiles and the gene editor CRISPR threaten to bring a new eugenics of gene selection, but even eugenicist Foster Kennedy warned against limiting the diversity of the mind.

Psychiatry

The "Psychotic" German Judge Who Changed Freud's Practice

Susanne Paola Antonetta on May 29, 2026

The memoirs of German judge Paul Schreber, who litigated his own asylum release, inspired Freud and still have a lot to teach doctors and patients about respect for the mind.

The memoirs of German judge Paul Schreber, who litigated his own asylum release, inspired Freud and still have a lot to teach doctors and patients about respect for the mind.

Psychiatry

Beyond the Body: Notes on a Post-Biological Future

Susanne Paola Antonetta on April 22, 2026

As the weaknesses of biological psychiatry grow, the field must consider evolving toward what works: less DSM focus, non-medical interventions, and respect for neurodiversity.

As the weaknesses of biological psychiatry grow, the field must consider evolving toward what works: less DSM focus, non-medical interventions, and respect for neurodiversity.

Psychiatry

Can Psychiatric Diagnoses Be Snap Judgments?

Susanne Paola Antonetta on November 24, 2025

Two men start fighting on a crowded plane. What happens next illustrates human complexity—and the dangers of snap diagnoses about the mind.

Two men start fighting on a crowded plane. What happens next illustrates human complexity—and the dangers of snap diagnoses about the mind.

Psychiatry

Improved Psychiatric Care, Through History

Susanne Paola Antonetta on October 20, 2025

The moral treatment, Soteria, trialogue—many experts have found great ways to treat mental distress. Just look at history.

The moral treatment, Soteria, trialogue—many experts have found great ways to treat mental distress. Just look at history.

Psychiatry

The Doctor Who Trained Nazis and Changed Psychiatry

Susanne Paola Antonetta on September 24, 2025

Emil Kraepelin trained Nazi doctors and helped shape the DSM.

Emil Kraepelin trained Nazi doctors and helped shape the DSM.

Psychiatry

Psychedelics, Psychiatry, and Moving Toward the Monstrous

Susanne Paola Antonetta on June 11, 2025

Personal Perspective: Psychedelics are used therapeutically to learn from all that the mind generates. Why is conventional psychiatry so opposed to taking thought seriously?

Personal Perspective: Psychedelics are used therapeutically to learn from all that the mind generates. Why is conventional psychiatry so opposed to taking thought seriously?

Consciousness

A Mind Greater Than an Alpine Mountain

Susanne Paola Antonetta on March 20, 2025

Could a neurodiverse mind be greater than an alpine mountain? The concept of a "Perception Box" help us value the richness of consciousness.

Could a neurodiverse mind be greater than an alpine mountain? The concept of a "Perception Box" help us value the richness of consciousness.

Psychiatry

On Consciousness, Psychiatry, and Thought That Isn't Thought

Susanne Paola Antonetta on January 14, 2025

Biologically based mind care has divorced states like despair and delusion from mind and consciousness. Putting them back together can be transformative.

Biologically based mind care has divorced states like despair and delusion from mind and consciousness. Putting them back together can be transformative.

Depression

Normal but Not Detectably Sane

Susanne Paola Antonetta on September 9, 2024

Normal life can read as depression on screening tools. In a culture of medicating, it's critical to define mentally well.

Normal life can read as depression on screening tools. In a culture of medicating, it's critical to define mentally well.

Neurodiversity

The Neurodivergent Brilliance of William Shakespeare

Susanne Paola Antonetta on July 29, 2024

Personal Perspective: As a young girl, I became obsessed with Shakespeare's King Lear. Now I realize it taught me the truths of transformative madness and pernicious sanity.

Personal Perspective: As a young girl, I became obsessed with Shakespeare's King Lear. Now I realize it taught me the truths of transformative madness and pernicious sanity.

Psychiatry

A Burning Brain: The Dark Side of Psychiatric Drugging

Susanne Paola Antonetta on April 9, 2024

Personal Perspective: Going down on psych meds set my brain on fire. Why has long-term use become the standard in psychiatric medicating?

Personal Perspective: Going down on psych meds set my brain on fire. Why has long-term use become the standard in psychiatric medicating?

Neuroscience

The Breathtaking Diversity of the Human Mind

Susanne Paola Antonetta on February 7, 2024

Talking about a transformative "perceptual diversity" with neuroscientist Anil Seth gives new ways to consider neurodiversity and the wild creativity of the human mind.

Talking about a transformative "perceptual diversity" with neuroscientist Anil Seth gives new ways to consider neurodiversity and the wild creativity of the human mind.

Gender

Britney Spears: The Pain of Misogyny, Not Mental Illness

Susanne Paola Antonetta on November 27, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, tells the story of her 13-year conservatorship—and what allowed it to happen.

A Personal Perspective: Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, tells the story of her 13-year conservatorship—and what allowed it to happen.

Psychiatry

Booby Hatches: The Crisis in Psychiatric Hospitalization

Susanne Paola Antonetta on September 25, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The crisis in psychiatric hospitalization goes back decades. A 1960 experiment conducted by psychologist David Rosenhan shows how far we haven't come.

A Personal Perspective: The crisis in psychiatric hospitalization goes back decades. A 1960 experiment conducted by psychologist David Rosenhan shows how far we haven't come.

Psychiatry

If You Want a Better Psychiatry, Go Back 200 Years

Susanne Paola Antonetta on July 31, 2023

The great reformer Philippe Pinel founded a humane psychiatry during the French Revolution. Today, we've forgotten the lessons of his moral treatment.

The great reformer Philippe Pinel founded a humane psychiatry during the French Revolution. Today, we've forgotten the lessons of his moral treatment.

Psychiatry

We Need an End to Psychiatry by Proxy

Susanne Paola Antonetta on June 7, 2023

Personal Perspective: For too long, people have relied on psychiatry by proxy, using scales and neat categories to diagnose and medicate. Here's why that doesn't work.

Personal Perspective: For too long, people have relied on psychiatry by proxy, using scales and neat categories to diagnose and medicate. Here's why that doesn't work.

Deception

Are Lying Politicians Mentally Ill?

Susanne Paola Antonetta on February 13, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The word crazy is low-hanging fruit in the insult world.

A Personal Perspective: The word crazy is low-hanging fruit in the insult world.

Relationships

Madness, Hallucination, Self-Love

Susanne Paola Antonetta on January 23, 2023

A Nazi survivor named Dorothea Buck taught me to make meaning out of madness.

A Nazi survivor named Dorothea Buck taught me to make meaning out of madness.