The Myth Of Mental Illness Thomas Szasz Analysis

The article to critique is The Myth of Mental Illness By Thomas S. Szasz. Before getting into the critique, it is important to note that this was written in the 1960’s. During that period, the view of “mentally ill” differ greatly from the 2018’s mindset. People were not as open about speaking of those things, and the current acceptance that a person in the 2018’s time felt wasn't as apparent. Also, compared to now, the mental institution was more common. Bearing those background factors in mind as well as other 1960’s life factor. The main author point was to illustrate to the reader that “ mental illnesses do not exist.” Not to imply that the social and psychological occurrences aren’t real, but that’s mental illness isn't real in a sense

The main points to back up his claim were divided into 4 section called “MENTAL ILLNESS AS A SIGN OF BRAIN DISEASE,” “MENTAL ILLNESS AS A NAME FOR PROBLEMS IN LIVING,” “THE ROLE OF ETHICS IN PSYCHIATRY,” and lastly “CHOICE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND PSYCHIATRY.” In the first section, the main problem with the term mentally ill is that assumptions are being made that “some neurological defect, perhaps a very subtle one, will ultimately be found for all the disorders of thinking and behavior.” Since many scientists, physician, psychiatric hold that view, it leads it implies people “cannot have troubles -- expressed in what are now called "mental illnesses" -- because of differences in personal needs, opinions, social aspirations, values, and so on.” He further goes on to say “All problems in living are attributed to physicochemical

He talks significantly about how what’s taken for granted is how living is an “arduous process.” These hardships lie not so much from survival as much as struggles and stain in a society of complex human personalities. The term mental illness is seen as a deformity of personality, which leads to human disharmony. The author question “what hinds’ of behavior are regarded as indicative of mental illness and by whom?” An Illness itself, whether bodily or mental, is a deviation from a norm. He states either: a) the person himself or b) parents, relative, physician, psychiatrist, or society decides that standard. For example, the author explores how it is in the mindset of society to believe that only a mentally ill person would commit homicide. Furthermore, treatment is sought by medical measure, but the definition of a disorder and remedy are at ends with one another. He questions how drugs, tranquilizers and other medical action could be a solution to the problems of living