The Myth of Mental Illness
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The Myth of Mental Illness: Foundations of a Theory of Personal Conduct is a controversial book by Thomas Szasz. It is highly influential in the anti-psychiatry movement. In it, Szasz argues that mental illness is a social construct created by doctors, and the term can only be used as a metaphor given that an illness must be an objectively demonstrable biological pathology, whereas psychiatric disorders meet none of these criteria. What psychiatrists label mental illness is in fact a deviation from the consensus reality or common morality, Szasz says.
The book extends the arguments of Szasz's paper The Myth of Mental Illness, first published in 1960. In it, Szasz argues that beliefs cannot be caused by brain disease, although such artifacts as visual (or hearing) defects can.
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This book extends Szasz's theory that mental illness, madness & even many crimes are created or defined by cultural controls, morals & "real world" views of big science, religion & government, similar to heretics, pagans, & sinners before the industrial revolution. In parts he agrees with Wilhelm Reich, Alexander Lowen, R.D. Laing, Arthur Janov & Peter Breggin. All are psychiatrists, except Janov, who is a psychologist. Their radical views, theories & psychotherapies, are opposed to & rejected by most MD & counselors in 20th century. Szasz asserts that a positive, present & honest relationship is the basis of his therapy. This may be considered superficial by many radical therapists, bodywork & spiritual healers now who differ in treatment methods. Now there are hundredss of radical, natural & spiritual therapies & healers, who may agree with Szasz that neurosis, fears & psychosis are caused by our early relationship, family, medicine & religion, that become buried in normal social role playing beliefs. This is the basis of most anti-psychiatry movements, using many different non medical treatments & support groups.
