Myth of mental illness

Question 1

What is mental health?

Answer 1

States of mind and behaviour

Question 2

Examples of mental states (3)

Answer 2

• Pain
• Beliefs
• Intentions

Question 3

Mental health as a continuum

Answer 3

Ranges from positive well-being to mental disorders

Question 4

Common misconception of mental health

Answer 4

Only discussed in the context of negative states

Question 5

What is Thomas Szasz’s Argument?

Answer 5

Mental illness is a myth

Question 6

Counterarguments to Szasz (5)

Answer 6

• Mental problems can have physical underpinnings
• Mind and body aren’t entirely separate
• Mental illnesses cause real suffering and impairment
• Medicalisation can provide effective treatment
• Stigma

Question 7

Cognitive mental state

Answer 7

Represents something as true

Question 8

Examples of cognitive states: (3)

Answer 8

• Belief
• Knowledge
• Regret

Question 9

Non-Cognitive mental state

Answer 9

Does not represent something as true

Question 10

Examples of non-cognitive states: (3)

Answer 10

• Desires
• Emotions
• Bodily sensations

Question 11

According to Szasz, does mental illness exist?

Answer 11

While mental illnesses do exist, they should not be classified as such as they are not mental conditions like physical illnesses are.

Question 12

Szasz and Logical deduction (3)

Answer 12

• A disease is something that affects the body in a measurable way
• The mind is non-physical
• Therefore mental illness is a myth as it does not affect the physical body

Question 13

Counterfactual conditions

Answer 13

A statement that speculates about what would be the case if something were different from what it actually is

Question 14

Form of counterfactual conditions

Answer 14

If X had happened, y would have been true

Question 15

Mind-Body dualism

Answer 15

The mind and body are two distinct entities

Question 16

Who is the Mind-Body dualism idea associated with?

Answer 16

René Descartes

Question 17

How does mind-body dualism relate to psychiatry?

Answer 17

It becomes challenging to treat mental illnesses using the medical tools developed for physical illnesses

Question 18

Dysfunctions

Answer 18

A failure in a system or process to perform as expected

Question 19

When would slow walking or bad memory be classified as dysfunctions?

Answer 19

If they impede with someones ability to function in daily activites

Question 20

Mental illness and dysfunctions

Answer 20

Mental illness may be argued to be a dysfunction as it impedes with daily activities and impairs someones ability to live a normal life

Question 21

Counter argument to mental illnesses being a dysfunction

Answer 21

Subjective experiences - some people may still function adequately

Question 22

Brain in a vat Theory

Answer 22

Imagine the possibility that your brain is hooked up to a sophisticated computer program that can perfectly simulate experiences of the outside world.

Question 23

‘Evil demon’ scenario

Answer 23

created by Descartes that states a demon could be manipulating what you believe is true