in the international Independent Publisher Book Awards 2015. After her journey through madness Mary O'Hagan realized the mental health system and society did more harm than good. 'Madness Made Me' is a myth-busting account of madness and our customary responses to madness through the lens of lived experience. O'Hagan's journey took her from the psychiatric hospital to the United Nations, and many places in between, as a leader in the international mad movement. Her fundamental message is that madness is a profoundly disruptive but full human experience. The trouble is most people don't see it that way, from the experts who make up clever theories about brain disease, to the people down the road who have irrational fears about mad axe-murderers. 'Madness Made Me' is a compelling and beautifully written book that uncovers widespread injustice. It ends with a vision for a world that holds hope for people with mental distress and treats them with respect and humanity.