Key Research

• In 1960, Szasz wrote an essay called "The myth of mental illness" where he aimed to challenge the medical model for mental illness and provide an alternate view. He has 5 main points in his essay:
• In 1960, Szasz wrote an essay called "The myth of mental illness" where he aimed to challenge the medical model for mental illness and provide an alternate view. He has 5 main points in his essay:

  • mental illness is a myth,
  • mental illness is not physical,
  • mental illness is a social construct,
  • mental illness has been politicised,
  • introduce a humanist perspective where mental illness is a natural response to difficult circumstances.
• Mental illness is a myth.

  Szasz believes that if the medical model argues that mental illness has a biological basis then it should just be considered a physical illness. So under this assumption mental illness is a myth.
• Mental illness is not physical.

  Szasz proposes that mental illness is not a medical problem and says they should not be treated the same as a medical disorder. He says that the claim mental illnesses can be diagnosed is not based in scientific research and cause and effect. He argues that the medicalization of mental illness only masks symptoms and does not tackle the root cause.
• Mental illness is a social construct.

  Szasz believes that mental illness is in the eye of the beholder and that it is a label that has been created by society. He says "the term refers to the judgement of some persons about the (bad) behaviours of other persons". He thinks society created the idea of mental illness to make people feel better about undesirable behaviour in others.
• Mental illness has been politicized.

  Szasz says "virtually all mental healthcare is the responsibility of the government and is regulated and paid for by public money". This means the government has full control over all regulation and funding of mental illness research meaning they have a say in what disorders exist and psychiatric hospitals. The government control mental illness to make others feel comfortable.
• Humanist perspective.

  Szasz thinks we should normalise mental illness as a natural response to difficult circumstances. Instead of biological treatments, patients should be given therapists who respect them, want to understand their behaviour and help them overcome their obstacles. He suggests the current approach to mental illness deprives people of their human rights and institutionalising people means they are not being respected.