The Cockroach Catcher II: Attempted Living---Review from Australia, Cade's Country.

 "Most of us see only what we expect to see... but ignore or fail to perceive the unexpected."                                                                             Lithium' Is A Homage To A Drug — And To The Renegade Side Of Science                           by Walter A. Brown

Cade, John Frederick Joseph (1912 - 1980)

Taking lithium himself with no ill effect, John Cade then used it to treat ten patients with chronic or recurrent mania, on whom he found it to have a pronounced calming effect. Cade's remarkably successful results were detailed in his paper, 'Lithium salts in the treatment of psychotic excitement', published in the Medical Journal of Australia (1949). He subsequently found that lithium was also of some value in assisting depressives. His discovery of the efficacy of a cheap, naturally occurring and widely available element in dealing with manic-depressive disorders provided an alternative to the existing therapies of shock treatment or prolonged hospitalization.

In 1985 the American National Institute of Mental Health estimated that Cade's discovery of the efficacy of lithium in the treatment of manic depression had saved the world at least $US 17.5 billion in medical costs.

Many shy away from Lithium not knowing that not prescribing it may actually lead to death by suicide. As such all worries about long term side effects become meaningless. 

Pauline M.

5.0 out of 5 stars Channelling Positivity

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on February 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

The Cockroach Catcher 11: Attempted Living by Am Ang Zhang reads like a fascinating blog from an author with a plethora of diverse interests and an insatiable curiosity about the world. His subject material reveals his keen interest in medical research, the environment, travels to exotic destinations and even savouring a wonderful meal accompanied by an excellent wine.

Zhang interweaves stories of his impoverished childhood in the New Territories after his family fled mainland China with details of his later life, particularly as a highly successful child psychiatrist in London. Permeating the book are several case histories (names changed) to illustrate the theme, "attempted living" which is continued through to a positive conclusion about the choices one makes.

In retirement Zhang pursues his interest in golf, snorkelling, photography and travel. Photos from his travels are scattered throughout the text. A pity the photos are not in colour.

One does not need a medical background to enjoy The Cockroach Catcher 11. It's an informative and entertaining read in an accessible, conversational style from a talented storyteller.

Will the new generation of psychiatrists come round to Lithium again? How many talented individuals could have been saved by lithium?

APA Nassir Ghaemi, MD MPH

• In psychiatry, our most effective drugs are the old drugs: ECT (1930s), lithium (1950s), MAOIs and TCAs (1950s and 1960s) and clozapine (1970s)
  • We haven’t developed a drug that’s more effective than any other drug since the 1970’s
  • All we have developed is safer drugs (less side effects), but not more effective
• Dose lithium only once a day, at night
• For patients with bipolar illness, you don’t need a reason to give lithium. You need a reason not to give lithium  (Originally by Dr. Frederick K. Goodwin)

The Cockroach Catcher II: Attempted Living---The Answer.

The Cockroach Catcher II: Attempted Living

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Cockroach Catcher-Seven Minute Cure

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