Explains what madness is, to show that it can be understood in psychological terms, and that by studying it we can learn important insights about the normal mind. This book argues that traditional approaches to madness must be abandoned in favour of an approach which is more consistent with what we know about the human mind.

A revised edition of Madness Explained, Richard Bentall's groundbreaking classic on mental illness

In Madness Explained, leading clinical psychologist Richard Bentall shatters the modern myths that surround psychosis. Is madness purely a medical condition that can be treated with drugs? Is there a clear dividing line between who is sane and who is insane? For this revised edition, he adds new material drawing on the recent advances in molecular genetics, new studies of the role of environment in psychosis, and important discoveries on early symptoms preceding illness, among other important developments in our understanding.

'Madness Explained is a substantial, yet highly accessible work. Full of insight and humanity, it deserves a wide readership.' Sunday Times

'Will give readers a glimpse both of answers to their own problems, and to questions about how the mind works' Independent Magazine

Richard P. Bentall holds a Chair in Experimental Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester. In 1989 he received the British Psychological Society's May Davidson Award for his contribution to the field of Clinical Psychology.