First published 2016
Dr. David Kessler investigates why people behave against their own wishes. The New York Times bestselling author studied tobacco, food, and drugs for decades. His research revealed one shared mechanism behind various forms of human suffering. He calls this phenomenon "capture," the process where external forces hijack attention and commandeer the brain. Kessler tackles fundamental questions about mental afflictions, from daily unhappiness to addiction and depression. He explores how healing and transcendence relate to emotional experience. Drawing from psychology, medicine, neuroscience, literature, philosophy, and theology, he breaks down centuries of thinking about mental illness. Kessler questions traditional labels that have clouded understanding of these conditions. He illustrates capture through stories of both famous and ordinary people trapped by this mechanism. The book offers new insight into thought and emotion formation, trauma management, and healing processes. Kessler provides a framework for understanding not just mental illness but everyday worries and anxieties.
Genres: psychology, addiction, medical, non-fiction, health, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, personal-development
406 pages · Hardcover · Harper
Content warnings: mental-illness