Controversy Brews Over Laura Delano’s Memoir ‘Unshrunk’

NEW YORK, March 29, 2025 — The release of Laura Delano’s memoir, ‘Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance,’ is stirring intense debate in the mental health community, as critics argue it’s challenging the status quo of establishment psychiatry and its relationship with pharmaceutical companies. The book has garnered attention not only for its content but also for a critical review in the New York Times by reporter Ellen Barry, provoking a rebuttal from psychologist Bruce E. Levine.

Delano’s memoir, published by Viking, paints a candid picture of her experiences navigating the mental health system over fourteen years where she was labeled and treated as a ‘professional psychiatric patient.’ In her opening message, Delano asserts, ‘I was once mentally ill, and now I’m not… This book is a record of my psychiatric treatment, my resistance to that treatment, and what I’ve learned along the way about my pain.’

In Levine’s rebuttal, he defends Delano’s perspective against Barry’s characterization of her as ‘reductionist.’ He claims the New York Times fails to grasp the radical implications of Delano’s discoveries regarding psychiatric care and its associated treatments. ‘The simplest way to put it is that I became a professional psychiatric patient between the ages of thirteen and twenty-seven,’ Delano reflects.

Delano began her tumultuous journey into the mental health system at age thirteen while being an exceptional student and athlete. As she describes, the pressures of conforming to societal and parental expectations led her to challenge her perceived reality, which sparked her initial confrontations with psychiatric norms. ‘They controlled me… We’re just puppets,’ Delano wrote, summarizing the disempowerment she felt from the psychiatric system.

Barry’s review in the New York Times and its subsequent critical nature have not gone unnoticed. Levin contends that rather than engaging with Delano’s arguments, Barry’s piece seeks to undermine her authority by aligning her with fringe critics of psychiatry. He argues, ‘The job of the NYT… is to protect the status quo and the ruling class by marginalizing anyone who seriously challenges it.’

As the discussion evolves, public opinion appears to lean towards Delano’s calls for reform. A survey conducted by PsiAN surveyed over 1,500 adults, revealing that 88% preferred comprehensive therapy that addresses root causes over quick fixes. This aligns with Delano’s critiques about the shortcomings of modern therapeutic practices that often prioritize symptom management and insurance reimbursement over deep understanding.

One of the standout tenets of Delano’s narrative is her journey of reclaiming control over her treatment after experiencing significant harm from prescribed medications. She emphasizes the importance of informed choices, stating, ‘I decided to live beyond labels and categorical boxes.’ The memoir advocates for a paradigm shift in how society views mental health, urging for a focus on individual empowerment and critical engagement.

In a narrative threaded with personal and systemic critique, Delano’s ‘Unshrunk’ is poised to ignite conversations about mental health care, forcing readers to confront not just the processes of psychiatric treatment but also the motivations behind its mainstream acceptance and critique.