John Read Ph.D.

About

John Read, Ph.D., has published over 150 research papers, primarily on the relationship between adverse life events and psychosis. He also researches the negative effects of bio-genetic causal explanations on prejudice, the experiences of recipients of anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medication, electroconvulsive therapy, and the role of the pharmaceutical industry

John is on the boards of the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal and the Hearing Voices Network, England.

He has been the editor of the scientific journal Psychosis for 11 years and is the editor of several books, including Models of Madness (Read J, Dillon J, Routledge, 2013) and A Straight Talking Introduction to the Causes of Mental Health Problems (Read J, Sanders P, PCCS Books, 2012).

Recent Posts

International Survey of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Research on ECT typically relies on the assessments of the psychiatrists who prescribed it. This international survey asks the patients themselves and their relatives instead.

Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East

Considering cognitive dissonance and intergenerational trauma may help avoid one-sided responses to the tragedy in the Middle East.

Is It Time to Ban Electroconvulsive Therapy for Children?

Opinion: The case for ECT to be made illegal for children and adolescents.

The World Health Organization and the UN Unite on Mental Health

The UN and WHO have launched a blueprint for laws that prioritize the human rights of patients.

Findings From a Survey of 530 British Antidepressant Users

A survey of over 500 British antidepressant users found that most experienced severe withdrawal effects when they tried to stop, yet few received any help to come off safely.

Patients Are Still Misinformed About Electroconvusive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy has limited short-term benefits compared to placebo, and no long-term benefits. Are ECT patients being told the facts?

Services for People Withdrawing From Antidepressants

Hundreds of antidepressant users express dissatisfaction with their prescribing doctors regarding their recommendations for withdrawal from the drugs.

Celebrating Steps Toward Humane Approaches to Distress

2022 saw many successes in the ongoing struggle for effective mental health services.

Remembering a Quarter of a Million "Mental Patients" Murdered in the 1930s and 1940s

During World War II, an unsubstantiated genetic theory justified the killing of thousands of mental patients. What lessons should be learned from this for the treatment of mental health today?

An Alternative to Psychiatric Hospitals

With the UN and the World Health Organisation calling for alternatives to psychiatric labels, drugs, and hospitals, a psychiatrist in Israel has been getting on with the job.