The controversial Thomas Szasz claims that mental illness is really just a myth. What do you think? Why?
What would Goffman have to say about that?
2007-09-23 12:14:56 · 11 answers · asked by Lola 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
P.S. I am in no way claiming to support Szasz's or Goffman's views. I just think it is an interesting question and would like to know what others think... thanks :)
2007-09-23 12:24:26 · update #1
I wish it were but it is all too real.
2007-09-23 12:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by Sunny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish it were a myth. Purpose? I don't see an obvious one although some of the mentally ill are highly creative, but I think that's more of a random happening. And these creative people might be creative with out the illness, but who knows? Definition- hmm, maybe an illness of chemical deficiencies and or excesses in the brain which causes one sensory and or thinking distortions with ranging severity. I'm not happy with that definition attempt but that's the best I can do for now. Further thought, no human is void of some sort of mental quirkiness, even if it is far less severe compared to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder etc., so we will never have a true model to go by, it will never exist and that's not a bad thing.
2016-04-05 22:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mental illness has been around as long as people have. Mental illness is no more a myth than cancer or the flu. People can have things wrong with their legs, their hands, their heart, their spine, and any other part of their body. Why is it so hard to believe that not all brains are completely healthy?
2007-09-23 12:26:17 · answer #3 · answered by Heather 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who thinks mental illness is a myth is probably crazy themselves. These are not the dark ages science and medicine have proved there is mental illness.No they don't understand all the hows and whys but that doesn't mean they don't have proof of it's existence.
2007-09-23 12:30:22 · answer #4 · answered by onesickchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not a myth. For someone who thinks it is, talk to me. I suffer from it. Not convinced? Ask me about the 3 family members I lost to different variations of mental illness.
2007-09-23 12:23:05 · answer #5 · answered by Dana F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I LIVE with anxiety 24/7 I know for a fact it is a illness. Its very real to me.
2007-09-23 16:15:01 · answer #6 · answered by Lou Lou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a choice for many. I know people who are so incredibly negative and now they are sick all the time and full of hate. Bipolar not included. So some of it is self taught.
2007-09-23 13:07:28 · answer #7 · answered by theroadwetake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree 100% with Sunny. It may be easy for someone to make a claim when they haven't walked a mile in someone else's shoes. (Ahem... Tom Cruise?)
2007-09-23 12:26:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try telling my psychologist that after a 2 hr visit with me =D
2007-09-23 12:21:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I work in Mental Health, tell him to spend 8hours with me.
2007-09-23 12:19:01 · answer #10 · answered by staymay 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
MENTAL ILLNESS IS REAL.. OUR BODY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUT OUR BRAIN...AND SOMETIMES OUR BRAINS HAVE CHEMICAL IMBALANCES WHICH CAUSE MENTAL ILLNESSES....
2007-09-23 16:53:12 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋