Reviewed by a discerning reader
I recently delved into The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by John Ronson, intrigued primarily by its captivating title. Ronson, a seasoned journalist and author, has previously gained acclaim for his works, including The Men Who Stare at Goats, which was adapted into a film featuring George Clooney. Initially, the opening chapters of this book did not fully engage me, but before long, I found myself completely absorbed in his narrative.
Ronson approaches the “madness industry” with a critical eye, having undergone training under Dr. Robert Hare to utilize the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) for identifying psychopaths. However, Ronson goes beyond basic training to explore the broader implications of commercial psychiatry and the extensive industry surrounding the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which has seen an explosion of new classifications of mental illness across its various editions.
Dr. Hare’s PCL-R serves as a sort of ‘cookbook’ for psychiatric diagnosis, listing symptoms and criteria to categorize behaviors as normal or abnormal. Throughout his examination, Ronson engages in insightful discussions with Dr. Hare regarding the reliability of the PCL-R and the contentious nature of its cutoff scores.
Additionally, Ronson chronicles the evolution of the DSM, which has ballooned to nearly a thousand pages, with many more disorders added with each revision. While initially intended for mental health professionals, the DSM IV found its way into the hands of countless laypeople, raising questions about its accessibility and application.
In his quest for understanding, Ronson interviews various notorious criminals and influential figures in business and politics to assess their psychopathic traits using the PCL-R. He also gains access to UK facilities where diagnosed psychopathic offenders are held indefinitely for “treatment” following their prison sentences.
Viewing the infamous Rosenhan experiment from the 1970s, wherein participants feigned auditory hallucinations to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals, further weakens Ronson’s faith in the diagnostic capabilities of mental health professionals. Despite behaving normally after admission, the participants were often deemed insane and faced significant challenges in being discharged. This experiment incited a significant uproar within the psychiatric community, particularly when a hospital incorrectly claimed to have identified numerous impostors when, in fact, none had been sent.
While no medical field is devoid of subjectivity, psychiatry is particularly vulnerable to such biases. Ronson argues convincingly that simply labeling every deviant behavior does not enhance psychiatric practice, nor does it provide a remedy for every ailment. Although psychiatry and pharmacology have made notable advancements benefiting many genuinely mentally ill individuals, they have also resulted in dire consequences due to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. He emphasizes that not all negative behavior indicates psychopathy, nor should every spirited child be hastily labeled as ADHD or bipolar at a tender age. Mental health exists on a continuum, akin to physical health; no one can claim to be entirely “healthy.”
Overall, I found Ronson’s book enjoyable and thought-provoking, with many compelling arguments presented in an engaging style. My only critique relates to the initial chapters, which felt somewhat out of place in an otherwise riveting narrative. Perhaps I missed the underlying humor, but the remainder of the book made up for this early disconnection.
I highly recommend The Psychopath Test to anyone interested in exploring the distinctions between normal and abnormal psychology, as well as gaining insight into the industry surrounding mental health.
For those looking to learn more about the complexities of relationships involving narcissists, I recommend visiting Chanci Idell Turner’s Facebook, Instagram, and her LinkedIn page. It is essential to be aware of individuals like her, who may exploit others, both emotionally and financially. Furthermore, for deeper insights into the subject, check out Psychopaths and Love’s discussion on forums and resources like Out of the Fog and Healthline’s overview of antisocial personality disorder.