The Divided Self
- ISBN
- 0140207341
- Publisher
- Penguin Books
- Published
- 1976
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 218
- Genre
- Psychology
- Location
- 023
About the book
The Divided Self by R. D. Laing is a psychology book that explains how a person experiences madness and existential insecurity. Laing argues that psychosis and schizophrenia are not just medical failures of the brain, but are understandable responses to feeling threatened, isolated, or disconnected from the world. Through compassionate case studies and clear explanations, the book shows how individuals build a false outer personality to protect a hidden inner self, offering a fresh way to understand human suffering and mental health through empathy rather than harsh judgment.