Dr. Thomas Szasz (1920-2012) was a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and author who was well known for his criticisms of the field of psychiatry and the concept of mental illness. He moved to the United States from Hungary when he was a teenager and pursued a degree in physics followed by a medical degree in 1944. In 1958, Szasz began discussing his theories on the history of mental illness and the moral and scientific foundations of psychiatry. He also explained modern day views on mental illness and psychiatry, explaining that the rights of individuals are sacrificed and psychiatrists are allowed excessive and unreasonable power, which is supported and perpetuated by various social, political, and economic factors (Roth, 1976).
Thomas Szasz discussed that mental illness is not real and is not the same as physical diseases. He explained that disease occurs as a result of the human body failing in its functions, but mental illness is characterized by behaviors and behaviors are not …show more content…
He stated that when the term Schizophrenia was created to describe a disease, it was not based on scientific or empirical research. In his text Schizophrenia-The Sacred Symbol of Psychiatry, Szasz (1976) stated that there is “no such thing as Schizophrenia.” He explained that if it was discovered that Schizophrenia had a biochemical cause and was cured, then it would no longer be a disease for which numerous individuals are involuntarily committed for inpatient treatment and psychiatrists would no longer be involved in the treatment of Schizophrenia. He believed that psychiatrists uphold and support supposed diseases, like Schizophrenia, in order to maintain their role in the field of mental health and sustain their
Thomas Szasz discussed that mental illness is not real and is not the same as physical diseases. He explained that disease occurs as a result of the human body failing in its functions, but mental illness is characterized by behaviors and behaviors are not …show more content…
He stated that when the term Schizophrenia was created to describe a disease, it was not based on scientific or empirical research. In his text Schizophrenia-The Sacred Symbol of Psychiatry, Szasz (1976) stated that there is “no such thing as Schizophrenia.” He explained that if it was discovered that Schizophrenia had a biochemical cause and was cured, then it would no longer be a disease for which numerous individuals are involuntarily committed for inpatient treatment and psychiatrists would no longer be involved in the treatment of Schizophrenia. He believed that psychiatrists uphold and support supposed diseases, like Schizophrenia, in order to maintain their role in the field of mental health and sustain their