The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry

It is very sad to survive the consequences of a criminal act. But the approach that we as a society should take to criminal acts is that of prevention, not only focusing on the punitive part. This book is very revealing, because it does not justify or exempt violent people from responsibility, but it allows those of us who suffer its consequences to have a notion of the origin of this violence. We will never have a why. It does not exist. But it does show that it is important to prevent the generation of broken adults, rather than trying to put them back together, because many times this is not achieved. It is through the compassionate look of this doctor, but without being a pimp, because she does not justify, but she put some light on these existences to understand how these distortions were generated, which have generated so much pain and suffering in their own and others. Realistic, objective and very human.

I found the cases interesting, and I particularly enjoyed the detailed description of therapy sessions with patients. Dr. Adshead is a skilled and compassionate therapist, and I learned that it is valuable for the therapist to pay attention to her gut response to the patient. Most importantly, I developed compassion for the patients, despite their serious offenses, and I think is the signal accomplishment of the book. Some of the material does get a bit dry at times, as the authors go into detail about the UK mental health system, but for me this was a minor shortcoming of an otherwise excellent work.

A strangely beautiful collection of stories about human fragility in the face of "intolerable" emotions. Some parts may be hard to read, some of the stories are hard to "unsee." But the effect of this well-written set of therapeutic narratives is enlarging the reader's heart in new ways. In a world that is all too often frightening or sad, Gwen Adshead's book offers a new way of looking at people and their suffering. It's not just about those labelled as psychotic. It's about us, too. As Adshead mirrors back to her clients their own humanity and patiently helps them take responsibility for their lives and acts, she also opens another door -- to our own possibilities and capacity for compassion.

Absolutely superb journey through some of the significant forensic cases that Dr Gwen Adshead has handled in her distinguished career. No matter the offence committed by any of her clients she shows us how to be human, how to be empathetic in the most challenging of circumstances, and how to view perpetrators as victims too. The book is at times horrifying, but always moving. She shows us how to question ourselves, our assumptions and what we can learn from the misfortune of others. Essential reading.

Interesting insights into the world of psychoanalysis in there criminal justice system. Well written and informative but some of the reviews here make it sound like this is the book of the century. Don't get it. By all means worth reading but careful with the super reviews don't get your expectations up