Short. Sharp. Shocking

Patrick McGrath's latest psychologically astute novel is a haunting account of what happens when our basic human need for security is violated. It is published at an intriguing time in the world of psychiatry. With wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the eyes of the world on Zimbabwe, Darfur, or Sichuan, and with the twin towers a not-too-distant memory, the current thinking about how to treat anyone who has endured trauma is hotly debated. The general view about treating sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder is that supportive psychological debriefing and psychotherapy offer the surest road to recovery. However, American research last month suggested that people who do not talk about traumatic experiences can fare better than those who undergo a talking therapy. Charlie Weir, McGrath's psychiatrist... [read full story]