Robert Whitaker

Robert Whitaker is an award-winning author of non-fiction books and non-fiction articles about history and the life sciences. He is best known for his work in public health, mental health, and health policy. His 2015 book Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America won the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award.

Robert Whitaker was born in 1952 in Washington, D.C., and has a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1981, he received a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Whitaker's writing career began at the Providence Journal newspaper in Rhode Island, where he rose to become a medical writer and editor. During this time, he exposed a scandal involving a hospital that was performing unneeded heart surgeries on children. He earned a Pulitzer nomination for his in-depth reporting.

Whitaker also wrote for the Boston Globe for 11 years. He wrote about issues ranging from public-school overcrowding to the booming market for “smart drugs” like Adderall. During this time, he began to further focus on mental health issues and research.

In 1999, he began work on the book Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill. Published in 2002, this remains a landmark book about mental health. He continued to research and share his findings about psychiatric drugs and the mental health industry in Anatomy of an Epidemic, which was published in 2010.

Anatomy of an Epidemic is a highly-detailed account of psychiatric drug use in America in the past few decades. It was an eye-opening and controversial book, as it delves into the scientifically-backed side effects that come with long-term use of medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics. With fact-packed chapters, Whitaker exposes the lack of research that serves to support the long-term efficacy of these drugs.

In addition to being an award-winning non-fiction writer, Whitaker also frequently speaks on topics of mental health, drug efficacy, and public health. He has appeared on TV networks around the globe and frequently lectures at universities. His website includes an extensive list of appearances, publications, projects, and awards.

Whitaker recently published a book titled The Other Side of Normal: How Biology Is Providing the Clues to Unlock the Secrets of Normal and Abnormal Behavior, a follow-up to Anatomy of an Epidemic. This book continues the focus on modern day mental health topics but also delves into historical research and case studies.

Robert Whitaker is a tireless worker in the field of non-fiction writing and research on public health, mental health, and health policy. His books and lectures provide the public with valuable information about the world of mental health, medications, and the pharmaceutical industry. Whitaker's work is thought-provoking and controversial – it requires readers to open their minds and consider information that may be contrary to what is traditionally taught about mental health.