Advance Praise
for When Healing Harms
“In When Healing Harms, Eric Caplan reexamines one of the most influential legal cases in the history of American psychiatry. Osheroff v. Chestnut Lodge has been written about before but never with the care and thoroughness that Caplan brings to the story. What emerges from his research is a poignant medical and legal drama—and a new understanding of a turning point in modern psychiatry and the patient who brought it about.”
“A masterful job... Written with verve and style and using a dazzling array of novel source material, Eric Caplan documents a striking but often misunderstood example of psychiatric malpractice.”
“A fascinating dive into the world of Raphael Osheroff, whose lawsuit over his inept treatment at a famed psychiatric hospital sealed the fate of psychoanalytic models of care for serious mental disorders... an engrossing account that humanizes the person behind the lawsuit, illuminating his suffering and vividly portraying the end of an era in psychiatry.”
“A compelling exploration of all aspects of this story, legal and personal... an in-depth biography of nephrologist Ray Osheroff, telling of how his life was upended by depression and his subsequent legal battles with Chestnut Lodge.”
“A must-read! This book masterfully explores the landmark Osheroff v. Chestnut Lodge case that transformed American psychiatry. Through rigorous research and compassionate storytelling... an invaluable resource for professionals and laypersons alike.”
“Masterful exploration... an urgent meditation on psychiatry’s enduring dilemmas. Through meticulous research, Eric Caplan reveals how even well-intentioned practitioners can inflict profound harm when ideology overshadows evidence... This is more than historical documentation; it’s a roadmap for transcending the destructive binaries that have long prevented truly integrated, humane treatment.”
“Raphael Osheroff’s treatment at and subsequent legal action against Chestnut Lodge are seminal events in the history of modern clinical medicine, not just mental health... With comprehensive access to the medical and legal records and correspondence between the key players, in When Healing Harms Eric Caplan offers the definitive account of the interplay of factors before, during and after the headline events.”
“As President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital—the institution where Dr. Osheroff finally received the treatment that Chestnut Lodge had refused—I have long felt that the full story of this case deserved to be told. Eric Caplan has told it brilliantly, letting the details reveal something far more important: the enduring dilemma at the heart of psychiatry itself. This is a story the field urgently needs, told with the nuance it deserves. More histories like this would serve us well as we navigate the challenges psychiatry faces today.”