Madness and the Political Divide.               

Madness and the Political Divide draws on psychiatry, ethics and the human condition in an attempt to understand and bridge the political divide. 

Allen R. Dyer explores meanings of ‘madness’ in different contexts, from the medical world to a contemporary society of ‘alternate realities’. Underlying the denial of reality is the fear of unpleasant realities: existential threats such as global climate change, pandemics, and war increase anxiety and our vulnerability to the false promises of authoritarian leadership and to the erosion of democracy. With reference to psychoanalytic theory, psychology, ethics and philosophy, Dyer explores how we can balance emotions with reasoned action, not overwhelmed by fear nor underwhelmed by denial.

Madness and the Political Divide will be of great interest to readers interested in ethics, justice and human values.  It will be highly relevant to psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and those in other mental health disciplines as well as to academics and scholars in philosophy, history and literature.

Endorsements:  

With brilliant insight into the current political muddle, Allen Dyer’s Madness and the Political Divide provides cogent explanations informed by his years of experience as a mental health authority and his deep spiritual core. Wildly creative Interludes based on fairy tales, Shakespeare plays and archetypal figures add lively commentary. If you’ve been struggling with the daily barrage of nonsensical speech and events, this is for you.

      The Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, Episcopal priest, musician, librettist and author of Preaching to the Choir: Claiming the Role of Sacred Musician

Drawing upon his training and extensive experience in both psychiatry and
ethics, Allen Dyer shows us how various forms of madness have infected
our understanding of ourselves, our politics, and our world. Anyone
interested in living in the real world rather than the simplistic and comforting
fantasies of our times will relish Dyer’s most insightful book.

      Larry R. Churchill, PhD, Stahlman Professor of Medical Ethics, Emeritus ,Vanderbilt University

Madness and the Political Divide merges philosophical inquiry with real-life narratives, distilling urgency from the epidemic of social fragmentation. As an Episcopal priest, I see its relevance not only for mental health professionals but also for every institution seeking reconciliation and hope. Dyer’s engagement with justice and care provides a timely roadmap through fractured cultural terrain.

      The Rev. John T. Harwood, Ph.D., Emeritus, Penn State, Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church,        Lewistown, PA

Table of Contents

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Global Mental Health Ethics, Allen R Dyer, Brandon Kohrt, Philip Candilis, eds.  (2021, Springer).

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Dyer, A. (2013). One More Mountain to Climb: What My Illness Taught Me about Health. 

 Available on Amazon                                         

Cancer is a complex illness with biological, psychosocial, and spiritual facets. This book follows the odyssey of a physician who was diagnosed with a virulent blood cancer, multiple myeloma, and came to a new understanding of health and wellness as he underwent bone marrow transplant with massive chemotherapy, navigated the hazards of the health delivery system, learned to cope with the illness and then the treatment, and finally emerged into a whole new life with a new appreciation of the relationship of illness, health, trauma and resilience.

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Weiss, L & Dyer, A. (2004). Concise guide to ethics in mental health care. American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC.  

    Selected as one of the top books by American Psychiatric Press..

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Dyer, A. (1988) Ethics and psychiatry: Toward professional definition (Order from Amazon)

1988 Ethics and Psychiatry Toward Professional Definition (read here)  American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC.     

    A profession is defined by its ethics as much as by its technology.

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Dyer, A. ed. (1985)  The Humanities and the Profession of Medicine.  National Humanities Center, Research Triangle Park, NC.

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Robbins, DA & Dyer, A (1982) Ethical dimensions of clinical medicine. Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd: Springfield, IL.

Distinctive in the way it blends ethics with practical aspects of clinical medicine, this volume offers a multidisciplinary perspective of the quandaries facing medical practitioners.  Prominent professionals from the fields of medicine, nursing, ethics and law clarify issues, formulate problems statements, and offer solutions

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Dyer, Allen Ralph (1980) Idealism in Medical Ethics: The Problem of the Moral Inversion Duke University, PhD Dissertation. (CONTENTS)