More than one in five Americans now takes a psychiatric medication. Yet, as our use of these medications has soared, so too has the burden of mental disorders in our society. Why would this be so? Unfortunately, research has shown that long-term outcomes for medicated patients are poor. As a result, new initiatives are emerging that lessen the use of medications and focus instead on creating supports that help children and adults struggling with mental difficulties get well and stay well. Photo: [Cappi Thompson on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/34637679@N04/40258997254)
Robert Whitaker is the prize-winning author of _Anatomy of an Epidemic, Mad in America_, and co-author of _Psychiatry Under the Influence_. He is also the founder of the resource/info organization Mad in America.com. Mr. Whitaker has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for _The Boston Globe _that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, _Mad in America_, was named by _Discover_ magazine as one of the best science books of 2002. _Anatomy of an Epidemic_ won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. He is the publisher of madinamerica.com.