Better Than Normal

December 19, 2011
Concerned about the mental health trend of “Overevaluating. Overdiagnosing. And most important of all, overmedicating,” psychiatrist Archer identifies the dominant trait of each of eight disorders and says they exist on a spectrum in everyone, from absent to superdominant. He argues that if someone exhibits a trait associated with a disorder but the trait is not “superdominant” and is properly managed, it can be seen as a strength, not a mental disorder, and may make the person “better than normal.” For instance, someone may be adventurous, hence restless and easily bored, but they do not have ADHD. Similarly, someone may be a perfectionist and not have obsessive-compulsive disorder. Other disorders he covers include narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality, and schizophrenia. As the title suggests, this is an upbeat book. Archer tends to rely too heavily on the experiences of people he has treated or known, and on his own personality and experiences

February 1, 2012
A psychiatrist and CNN regular examines commonly held notions of mental-health disorders and their potentials for "normalcy." Frustrated with today's "overdiagnosed, overmedicated, and undertreated society," Archer attempts to destigmatize eight common psychological ailments by quantifying the dominance level of their inherent traits. In uniquely defusing disorders ranging from ADHD and OCD to anxiety and schizophrenia, the author believes the mental-health industry has been somewhat "glamorized." Throughout his chatty, anecdotal book, Archer convincingly argues that we can actually function normally with mildly influential characteristics of narcissism, social anxiety and bipolar disorder. When these traits are within the lower (harmless) end of the continuum and don't become a "superdominant" mannerism, they can be seen as beneficial behavioral enhancements--e.g., high energy and enthusiasm doesn't always mean a bipolar personality; sensitivity and deliberation shouldn't equal social anxiety disorder. Archer's creative redressing of these pathologically considered conditions is compelling and will definitely capture the attention of readers eager to "re-diagnose" themselves using his spectrum scale. The author, who admits to being a hyper-intuitive "world-class poker player," does gamble a bit, however, with the free association of some of the more volatile psychological conditions in considering their lighter traits as derivatives of normalcy. Drawing heavily on his own experiences, Archer proudly advances his beliefs with episodes from his psychiatric practice, website queries and travels throughout the country. There are some fresh, modern and mildly amusing associations here; however, contrasting self-assessed symptoms of a disorder as significant as schizophrenia with the idiom of "magical thinking" will surely raise eyebrows. Optimistic and creatively inspired assessments that occasionally overreach.

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