Sexy But Psycho - by Taylor (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Angry, opinionated, mouthy, aggressive, hysterical, mad, disordered, crazy, psycho, delusional, borderline, hormonal . . . Women have long been pathologized, locked up and medicated for not conforming to whichever norms or stereotypes are expected of them in that time and space. Sexy But Psycho is a challenging and uncomfortable book which seeks to explore the way professionals and society at large pathologize and sexualise women and girls.

Utilising decades of research, real case studies and new data from her own work, Dr Taylor's book will critically analyse the way we label women with personality disorders. Why are women and girls pathologized for being angry about oppression and abuse? How have so many women been duped into believing that they are mentally ill, for having normal and natural reactions to their experiences? Sexy But Psycho argues that there is a specific purpose to convincing women and girls that they are mentally ill, as the world avoids addressing violence against women and their centuries of ignored trauma.

From the Back Cover

'[Shows] the vital importance of listening carefully to what women have to say' Independent

Angry, opinionated, mouthy, aggressive, hysterical, mad, disordered, crazy, psycho, delusional, borderline, hormonal . . .

Women have long been pathologised, locked up and medicated for not conforming to social stereotypes.

Why are women who report violence against them likely to be diagnosed with personality disorders? Why are women and girls pathologised for being angry about oppression and abuse? How have so many women been duped into believing that they are mentally ill, for having natural reactions to traumatic experiences?

In Sexy but Psycho, Dr Jessica Taylor draws on case studies, new data and cutting-edge research to analyse the ways in which society labels women as sexy but psycho, and what we can do about it.

Psychiatry is the patriarchy with a prescription pad - but it's time for that to change.

Dr Jessica Taylor is a working-class feminist author, senior lecturer, speaker and researcher with a PhD from University of Birmingham in Forensic Psychology. In 2019, she was awarded a Fellowship of Royal Society of Arts for her contribution to feminism and psychology. She is the founder and director of VictimFocus, VictimFocus Resources, VictimFocus Academy and the VictimFocus Blog.

About the Author

Dr Jessica Taylor is a working-class feminist author, senior lecturer, speaker and researcher with a PhD from University of Birmingham in Forensic Psychology. In 2019, she was awarded a Fellowship of Royal Society of Arts for her contribution to feminism and psychology. She is the founder and director of VictimFocus, VictimFocus Resources, VictimFocus Academy and The VictimFocus Blog.