Topic 3 - Key Research - Szasz - The Myth Of Mental Health

Question 1

Overview of his argument

Answer 1

He argued that mental health was a harmful myth without a demonstrated basis in biological pathology and with the potential to damage current conception of human responsibility

Question 2

What were the conclusions?

Answer 2

The medicalisation and politicisation of psychiatry over the past 50 years has led to a dehumanised model of care - mental illness should be regarded as a metaphor - the moral legitimacy of psychiatry should be rejected as it involves violating human liberty