They discuss the discovery of chlorpromazine and the development of the
chemical imbalance theory of mental illness, including the dopamine theory of schizophrenia and the serotonin theory of depression.
The contributing authors explore evidence of environmental influence and the developing brain to try to counteract the pervading myth of the "
chemical imbalance theory." Also discussed is the relationship between a parent's cell phone use and early brain development.
Some readers may take issue with her contention that
chemical imbalance theory "is on just as shaky ground as Charcot's elusive lesion" (305).
David Oaks (letters, July 30) argues in support of Tom Cruise's claim that the
chemical imbalance theory, and psychiatry in general, are merely pseudoscience.
In June, actor Tom Cruise criticized the
chemical imbalance theory of psychiatry as pseudoscience.