Whispers and Voices

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Sep 01, Kristyn rated it really liked it Shelves: I thought this was an interesting book. It's interesting what people will end up thinking, seeing, and believing when in a paranoid state. The cases in this book are about drug induces paranoia, so if you're looking for paranoia cases that aren't drug related, look elsewhere. Jul 08, Breanna Lockwood rated it liked it. Want a reason to not do cocaine? Oct 25, Jessica Mccoy added it.

Voices of Paranoia is an autobiography written by Dr. Who is a psychoanalysis enthusiast that helps with police cases that involve people with a mental break down, history of paranoia, or some type of narcotics that may have left that person without the ability to think coherently. First thing you should know is that there are 13 cases in this book that Dr. Siegel He is a Pharmacologist brings up in this book.

If I had to pick from these said cases and choose the most crucial and significant cases it would be as follows: These cases I think are the most in depth and the most informative in my opinion. I feel this book is not only for readers that like psychoanalysis, but also for people that like a nice trilling adventures story about people that have deep troubles and do some questionable activities. Siegel has the most intriguing and almost chilling writing style that I have not seen in my personal experience. He leaves out nothing; he adds so much detail and passion to his book. Whispers voices of paranoia by Ronald k Siegel is not only enthralling but it leaves a bigger message.

If you want something, go out and grab it. If you want to help somebody, go out and help them. If you want to be something, show the world you can be just that. This book taught me that anyone can be and do what they want to, in the most chilling and vivid way. Siegel is relatable, cunning, and all and all fantastic protagonist. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be fascinating. In my opinion, Whispers voices of paranoia, gets two thumbs up. Dec 25, Ashley rated it it was amazing. Definitely reminiscent of Oliver Sack's clinical tales of neurological anomalies, but with a slightly less sincere pursuit.

As a researcher vs. Although at times, he will half-heartedly attempt treatment, displaying the truth to subjects for reality testing, in hopes of instigating some sort of cognitive disso Definitely reminiscent of Oliver Sack's clinical tales of neurological anomalies, but with a slightly less sincere pursuit. Although at times, he will half-heartedly attempt treatment, displaying the truth to subjects for reality testing, in hopes of instigating some sort of cognitive dissonance But it was fascinating and never offensive; he always maintained a nonjudgmental and respectful stance.

I found the most intriguing cases were those not solely cocaine-induced or due to paranoid schizophrenia, as these are more well known. I liked the ones that were surreptitiously layered, a complex amalgam of influences, from hypertension-induced paraesthesias to disturbing dwarves in an obsessively viewed film. In these cases, the author would immerse himself in a nearly identical environment and circumstances to that of the subject to determine if the paranoia would emerge.

This is how he arrives at his conclusions expressed in the introduction: May 20, Kressel Housman rated it it was amazing Shelves: Most of this book is deeply disturbing, but absolutely riveting. Every time life forced me to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back. The author is a research psychologist at UCLA who wanted to explore paranoia.

Fiction, he found, did a better job of describing what it feels like to believe with every fiber of your being that evil forces are conspiring to destroy you. So he set out to fill the gap by writing a scientific account of Most of this book is deeply disturbing, but absolutely riveting. So he set out to fill the gap by writing a scientific account of paranoia that really captures the feelings of its victims.

Whispers: The Voices of Paranoia

This book achieves that goal. As I said, most of this book is deeply disturbing. With the exception of one old lady, "the sweetest paranoid you'd ever want to meet," this is a journey into the world of drugs, violence, and murder. The author is often called in as an expert witness in criminal trials, so that is where the bulk of his case studies come from.

But his thesis is that paranoia doesn't just happen to "crazy people;" we all have a paranoid streak which comes out under certain triggers. Just reading about these people is a bit of a trigger, which is why the book is so effective. I can understand why someone would want to avoid this book.

As for me, though, I'm going to try and get hold of more of this author's fascinating and human work.

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Jan 04, Jennifer rated it it was ok. I was really looking forward to this book. This is a subject that I am interested in and based on the prologue, it sounded as if the author was personally invested in and passionate about his research. Unfortunately, after the first 6 chapters, I got bored. There is a heavy emphasis on paranoia stemming from drug usage, which while interesting in itself, seemed like a lot of repetition after a while.

Writing style is easy and casual, which I thought kind of odd, but Siegel clearly states that th I was really looking forward to this book. Writing style is easy and casual, which I thought kind of odd, but Siegel clearly states that the book is a collection of paranoid experiences rather than an academic or medical analysis of paranoia and its treatment. Nov 10, Lesley rated it really liked it Recommends it for: This is a collection of case studies that detail a range of paranoid delusions varying in severity, content, and cause.

Though it may be tempting to believe paranoid delusions are reserved for the severely mentally ill, this book forces the reader to acknowledge that given the right combination of circumstances and stressors, anyone can fall victim to the devastating effects of paranoia. As with all case studies, reading this book is an exercise in voyeurism, disturbing and fascinating, frighten This is a collection of case studies that detail a range of paranoid delusions varying in severity, content, and cause. As with all case studies, reading this book is an exercise in voyeurism, disturbing and fascinating, frightening and illuminating.

View all 5 comments. Mar 31, Ami Kismet rated it liked it. Not what I was expecting. I thought this book would go more into the reasons behind paranoia or different triggers It was neither too jargon-heavy or written like a medical report. It was written more like someone who is really passionate about their work sharing funny and sometimes disturbing anecdotes. All in all, I liked it, but did not Love it. Nov 08, Autumn rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Anyone who is interested in paranoia. This is one of my all time favorite books. The author takes you on a wild adventure through crazy, even insane stories.

The book is told by a man's perspective, or also known as the author. He doesn't hold back when it comes to his thoroughly stated thoughts, and oppinions. If your interested in paranoia, and how it can horrifyingly damage your life dramatically, this is the book for you! I coudln't put this book down, it held a pretty tight grip around me until I finished it. Jan 16, Ellis Amdur rated it really liked it. Siegel is a true researcher. He knows the literature, he knows the science, and he puts himself on the line in a most remarkable way.

Sometimes he meets his research subjects wearing a bulletproof vest, and given his subjects, he needs the protection! His stories are outrageous, wonderfully written, and both compassionate and horrifying. One finishes the book well-educated about the paranoid state and enormously entertained. Mar 18, Sara rated it liked it Shelves: While reading the book, I felt so blessed about not having any sort of hallucinations like seeing things or hearing voices. I never thought about those people who struggle everyday in their lives because of Paranoia.

Apr 29, Jennifer rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was a truly fascinating read! The story that stays with me most since I read it in 2 years ago now is the case study of the cocaine-addicted ballerina and her dangerous paranoid, romantic obsession she had with the male waiter in the restaurant where she worked as a hostess. Aug 08, Adrienne Kiser rated it liked it.

Interesting case studies of paranoia Instead, we're left with a reasonably interesting book. I'm none the worse for reading it, although I do feel the author could have done a better job. Jan 05, Patty rated it it was amazing Shelves: Parts of this book are laugh out loud funny. The stories told about people with paranoia are often about people with drug addictions either currently or in the past. There is also a great deal of factual information about psychology and paranoia that I really appreciated learning. Oct 10, Lucinda K rated it really liked it. This book has a number of strong, compelling accounts of individuals' battles with paranoia.

When she visits the dentist and is put under the nitrous oxide, she no longer hears the whispers. The paranoia mixed with bad hearing and nitrous oxide was the cause of the alleged "whispers", and by exposing that, Siegel was able to help Miss Lillian return to a normal life.

There are thirteen chapters of these stories, each about a different person with a different story of their journey with paranoia and Siegel. Siegel includes a lot of allusions in the narrative in order to truly describe the feelings of not only his subjects, but the feelings of he himself as well. For example, he speaks a lot of composers like Vilvadi and his music in order to discuss his state of mind during his time with his patients.

The narrative is written through the viewpoint of Siegel himself, in order to outline his own journey of paranoia through the patients that he has studied. The book overall got good feedback.

Readers have reviewed that the narrative taught them a lot, and is described as a "page turner". Siegel's narrative is a perfect example of the genre of narrative medicine. Siegel demonstrates the importance of getting to know a patient's life, history and loved ones before setting a diagnosis. The reader can see clearly that without having knowledge of the patient, Siegel could not have been able to help the people he has written about at all. He also lives in Los Angeles, not only contributing to works of text, but also working for criminal cases.

In , Siegel was an expert witness for the defense in the Robert Blake murder trial. A lot of Siegel's work has been on the effects of drug use on the brain and paranoia.

Whispers and Voices

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