Loren Richard Mosher was an American psychiatrist, clinical professor of psychiatry, expert on schizophrenia and the chief of the Center for Studies of Schizophrenia in the National Institute of Mental Health.
15 Facts About Loren Mosher
1.
2.
Progressively vocal in his opposition to the prevailing psychiatric practices of the time and the increasing reliance on pharmaceuticals for treatment, Loren Mosher managed to anger and isolate himself from many of his colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health, and was finally dismissed from his position in 1980.
3.
Loren Mosher was born on September 3,1933, in Monterey, California, to the married couple of a teacher and boat builder.
4.
Loren Mosher earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Harvard University, starting work at NIMH in 1964.
5.
Loren Mosher undertook research training at the Tavistock Clinic in London from 1966 to 1967 and developed an interest in alternative treatments for schizophrenia.
6.
Loren Mosher believed that the violent and controlling atmosphere of psychiatric hospitals and the over-use of drugs hindered recovery.
7.
Loren Mosher is said to have had a far more nuanced view of the use of drugs than has been generally thought, and did not reject drugs altogether but insisted they be used as a last resort and in far lower doses than usual in the United States.
8.
Loren Mosher was the founder and first editor in chief of Schizophrenia Bulletin.
9.
Loren Mosher edited or co-authored some books, including Community Mental Health: A Practical Guide, and published more than 100 reviews and articles.
10.
Loren Mosher held professorships and ran mental health programmes on both the US coasts.
11.
Loren Mosher headed his own consulting company, Soteria Associates, providing research, forensic and mental health consultation and cooperated for years with numerous advocacy groups, including the psychiatric survivor group MindFreedom International.
12.
Loren Mosher wrote a preface to Peter Lehmann's book Coming off Psychiatric Drugs.
13.
Loren Mosher worked as a clinical professor of psychiatry for the University of California at San Diego medical school.
14.
Loren Mosher was married to, and later divorced, Irene Carleton Mosher.
15.
Loren Mosher's work is archived at Stanford University and can be accessed via their website.