Infectious madness : the surprising science of how we "catch" mental illness
Book
First edition.
What causes mental illness? Traditionally, we've blamed bad parenting, stress, trauma, genetics, and brain-chemistry imbalances. But in recent years, a new theory has quietly achieved critical mass. In her astonishing new book, author Harriet Washington reveals that many instances of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's, Tourette's, bipolar disorder, and anorexia are likely caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses. That's right--you can "catch" mental illness. Weaving together cutting-edge research and startling case studies, Infectious Madness shows how strep throat can trigger OCD in a formerly healthy teen, how a pregnant woman's contact with cat litter can lead to schizophrenia in her child, and how gut bacteria that leak into the bloodstream may play a role in autism. Thanks in part to the sheer speed of their reproduction, microbes are beating us at a game of evolutionary chess; we must be vigilant if we hope to protect ourselves and our children from mind-altering infections. Washington shares innovative tactics from the front lines of medicine--like worm therapy, phages (viruses that infect bacteria), and the use of one microbe to fight another--and explains the dangers of carelessness, bad environmental policy, and misinformation. Rich in science, tantalizing medical mysteries, and practical advice, Infectious Madness pulls back the curtain on a new paradigm with profound implications for us all.--Adapted from book jacket.
Available copies
- 9 of 9 copies available at Westchester Library System. (Show)
- 0 of 0 copies available at The Field Library.
Current holds
0 current holds with 9 total copies.Location | Call Number / Shelving Location |
Barcode | Status / Due Date |
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LDR | 03405nam a2200361ci 4500 | ||
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001 | 3968594 | ||
003 | WEST | ||
005 | 20151013091206.0 | ||
008 | 150112s2015 nyua e b 001 0 eng d | ||
010 | . | ‡a 2015935999 | |
020 | . | ‡a9780316277808 ‡q(hardcover) : ‡c$28.00 | |
020 | . | ‡a0316277800 ‡q(hardcover) | |
035 | . | ‡a(OCoLC)900011975 | |
040 | . | ‡aYDXCP ‡beng ‡erda ‡cYDXCP ‡dBTCTA ‡dOCLCQ ‡dBDX ‡dWIM ‡dAZT ‡dOCLCQ ‡dGK8 ‡dPX0 ‡dON8 ‡dBUR ‡dCPL ‡dVP@ ‡dUtOrBLW | |
050 | 4. | ‡aRC455.4.B5 ‡bW373 2015 | |
082 | 0 | . | ‡a616.89/071 ‡223 |
100 | 1 | . | ‡aWashington, Harriet A., ‡eauthor. ‡0n 2005053748 ‡0http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2005053748 |
245 | 1 | 0. | ‡aInfectious madness : ‡bthe surprising science of how we "catch" mental illness / ‡cHarriet A. Washington. |
250 | . | ‡aFirst edition. | |
264 | 1. | ‡aNew York : ‡bLittle, Brown and Company, ‡c2015. | |
300 | . | ‡a292 pages : ‡billustrations ; ‡c25 cm | |
336 | . | ‡atext ‡btxt ‡2rdacontent | |
337 | . | ‡aunmediated ‡bn ‡2rdamedia | |
338 | . | ‡avolume ‡bnc ‡2rdacarrier | |
504 | . | ‡aIncludes bibliographical references (pages 255-279) and index. | |
505 | 0 | . | ‡aGerm theory redux : the acquisition of mental illness -- The fetus as battleground : early exposure and psychiatric fate -- Growing pains : "catching" anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's -- Gut feelings : the brain in your belly -- Microbial culture : pathogens and the shaping of societies -- Winning at evolutionary chess : strategies to outwit pathogens -- Tropical madness : infection and neglect in the developing world. |
520 | . | ‡aWhat causes mental illness? Traditionally, we've blamed bad parenting, stress, trauma, genetics, and brain-chemistry imbalances. But in recent years, a new theory has quietly achieved critical mass. In her astonishing new book, author Harriet Washington reveals that many instances of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's, Tourette's, bipolar disorder, and anorexia are likely caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses. That's right--you can "catch" mental illness. Weaving together cutting-edge research and startling case studies, Infectious Madness shows how strep throat can trigger OCD in a formerly healthy teen, how a pregnant woman's contact with cat litter can lead to schizophrenia in her child, and how gut bacteria that leak into the bloodstream may play a role in autism. Thanks in part to the sheer speed of their reproduction, microbes are beating us at a game of evolutionary chess; we must be vigilant if we hope to protect ourselves and our children from mind-altering infections. Washington shares innovative tactics from the front lines of medicine--like worm therapy, phages (viruses that infect bacteria), and the use of one microbe to fight another--and explains the dangers of carelessness, bad environmental policy, and misinformation. Rich in science, tantalizing medical mysteries, and practical advice, Infectious Madness pulls back the curtain on a new paradigm with profound implications for us all.--Adapted from book jacket. | |
596 | . | ‡a7 9 15 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 31 32 38 39 42 44 45 | |
650 | 0. | ‡aMental illness ‡xPathophysiology. ‡0BSLW 194349 ‡0(WEST)135502 | |
650 | 0. | ‡aMental illness ‡xEtiology. ‡0BSLW 22944 ‡0(WEST)15159 | |
650 | 0. | ‡aPsychiatric epidemiology. ‡0sh 85108348 ‡0http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85108348 | |
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901 | . | ‡a3968594 ‡bAUTOGEN ‡c3968594 ‡tbiblio |