The Myth of Mental Illness

Fülszöveg

Himself an eminent American psychiatrist, Dr. Szász in this book poses a view of psychiatry so stimulating and provocative that it is likely to create both Professional and public controversy. For Dr. Szász believes that what is considered mentái illness has come to be defined as whatever psychiatrists say it is-and that psychiatry has, with increasing and misplaced zeal, called more and more kinds of behaviour "illness". With the most convincing evidence, the author shows how the public has learned that "it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease". He proceeds to examine and lay bare the social conditions that have led "suíferers" to develop what he calls "the language of illness". In dramatic opposition to most of his colleagues, Dr. Szász attempts to avoid the notions of mentái health and mentái illness. He maintains that a person can imitate sickness and play the role of a disabled person, but this does not obiige us to define him as ill. He makes a powerful case for the... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Himself an eminent American psychiatrist, Dr. Szász in this book poses a view of psychiatry so stimulating and provocative that it is likely to create both Professional and public controversy. For Dr. Szász believes that what is considered mentái illness has come to be defined as whatever psychiatrists say it is-and that psychiatry has, with increasing and misplaced zeal, called more and more kinds of behaviour "illness". With the most convincing evidence, the author shows how the public has learned that "it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease". He proceeds to examine and lay bare the social conditions that have led "suíferers" to develop what he calls "the language of illness". In dramatic opposition to most of his colleagues, Dr. Szász attempts to avoid the notions of mentái health and mentái illness. He maintains that a person can imitate sickness and play the role of a disabled person, but this does not obiige us to define him as ill. He makes a powerful case for the concept that patients must accept the morál responsibility for their own actions, that they must enrich their world through their own efforts. He urges psychiatrists to stop obscuring the issues. Psychotherapists "only look like other doctors''; in reality they are social engineers who define the morál rules of the game, sort out the players, and help somé to discover new life games to play. Here is an expert looking at his own field with wisdom and clear-sighted objectivity. The influence of psychiatry in modern life grows daily more important. Dr. Szasz's comments have exciting relevance to the current scene, and will be a matter of universal interest. Vissza