Thomas Szasz Analysis
Introduction
Thomas Szasz begins by asking, does mental health even exist? As mental illness as a notion is widely used these days, it is extremely important to investigate the ways in which it is employed. As mental illness does not have a physical basis; it is as good as other theoretical concepts. But often these theories end up posing as ‘objective truths’ quite like the theories of witches and devils which come up as explanations for a variety of events. According to him, this is what has been happening in today’s world where mental illness is being used to explain away innumerable events. He argues that the concept of mental illness has far outlived the purpose it was supposed to achieve and today has degenerated into a convenient myth.
Role of Psychiatry
He questions the role of Psychiatry which claims to cure ‘mental illness’ when no such thing exists in the first place. He argues that most of what they claim to be mental illnesses are actually diseases of the brain, which are largely the domain of neurology. Also, Psychiatry claims to draw parallels with physical medicine by seeking a physiochemical cause for all behavioural problems denying the role of people’s needs,
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