Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

How Mad Studies and the Psychological Humanities are Changing Mental Health: An Interview with Narrative Psychiatrist Bradley Lewis

Oct 11, 2023

Bradley Lewis, a narrative psychiatrist and humanities professor, explores the transformative intersection of psychiatry and the humanities. He discusses the importance of narrative in mental health care, emphasizing meaning-making over objective truths. Lewis critiques the biomedical model, advocating for inclusive practices that honor diverse voices. He highlights the power of metaphors in reshaping identities and the role of art in fostering understanding. By promoting a collaborative approach, he envisions a more humane and empathetic mental health landscape.

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ANECDOTE

Interdisciplinary Journey

Bradley Lewis initially trained in medicine and psychiatry, experiencing the clash between biomedical and psychoanalytic models.
This led him to explore philosophy, arts, and anthropology, culminating in an interdisciplinary PhD.

INSIGHT

Post-Psychiatry's Perspective

Post-psychiatry views psychiatry as a meaning-making practice, not a search for objective truth.
It questions who participates in this meaning-making and the underlying power dynamics.

INSIGHT

Diverse Possibilities

Psychiatry offers diverse possibilities, not a single "right" way.
Post-psychiatry challenges mainstream psychiatry's dominance and advocates for broader perspectives.

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Bradley Lewis works at the intersections of medicine, psychiatry, philosophy, the psychological humanities, mad studies, and disability studies, balancing roles as both a humanities professor and a practicing psychiatrist.

Lewis earned degrees in psychiatry (MD) and Interdisciplinary Humanities (PhD) from George Washington University, and he currently holds an associate professorship at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. He also has affiliations with NYU’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis, the Department of Psychiatry, and the Disability Studies Minor. Additionally, he serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Humanities.

His books include Moving Beyond Prozac, DSM, and the New Psychiatry: The Birth of Postpsychiatry, Narrative Psychiatry: How Stories Shape Clinical Practice, and Depression: Integrating Science, Culture, and Humanities. He has two books forthcoming: Experiencing Epiphanies in Literature and Cinema and a co-edited Mad Studies Reader. His writing offers unique insights into the hegemonic foundations of mental health and champions the role of narrative in therapy.

His work also actively bridges the gap between academia and on-the-ground initiatives. A founding member of the Institute for the Development of Humane Arts (IDHA), Lewis champions a paradigm shift in mental health by facilitating collaboration between advocates, service users, and clinicians.

His profound appreciation for the humanities guides his exploration of mental health, often through the lens of art and literature. By analyzing the lives of figures like Vincent Van Gogh or dissecting Chekhov’s narratives, Lewis encourages us to rethink and expand our understanding of psychological experiences.

Join us as we explore the philosophical foundations, practical implications, and transformative potential of his work.

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