Psychosis across place: The madding crowd—urban living and psychosis

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses the changing demographics across the Global South, with an increase in urban living. It examines associations between exposure to urban life and incidence rates of psychotic disorders. The scope ranges from local to global, and the lens attempts to be both descriptive and critical. It reviews the historical and contemporary evidence for variation in incidence rates, goes on to consider major limitations of epidemiological research and the extent to which this supports a causal association between place and psychosis, and finally balances the available evidence in the context of public mental health and whether prevention strategies are viable.