Behaviorism and Mental Health

Alternative perspective on psychiatry's so-called mental disorders | PHILIP HICKEY, PH.D.

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Reviving the Myth of Mental Illness: Another Interesting Article

November 24, 2012 By Phil Hickey |

I’ve just read Reviving the Myth of Mental Illness by Steven Morgan.  This article appeared in the Personal Stories section of Robert Whitaker’s website Mad in America, and is well worth reading.

Here are some quotes:

“Thus, it is important to note that mental illness in itself – the idea that a mind is ill, is actually a categorical error, like saying the sky is ill or the color green is healthy. “

“…there is not a single reliable test for any of the 297 disorders listed in the current diagnostic manual…”

Of particular relevance is the fact that Steven Morgan isn’t just writing about these matters, he is also the Executive Director of Another Way, a community center for psychiatric survivors, and is Project Developer for Soteria-VT.

Filed Under: A Behavioral Approach to Mental Disorders Tagged With: myth of mental illness

About Phil Hickey

I am a licensed psychologist, presently retired. I have worked in clinical and managerial positions in the mental health, corrections, and addictions fields in the United States and England. My wife Nancy and I have been married since 1970 and have four grown children.

 

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The phrase "mental health" as used in the name of this website is simply a term of convenience. It specifically does not imply that the human problems embraced by this term are illnesses, or that their absence constitutes health. Indeed, the fundamental tenet of this site is that there are no mental illnesses, and that conceptualizing human problems in this way is spurious, destructive, disempowering, and stigmatizing.

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The purpose of this website is to provide a forum where current practices and ideas in the mental health field can be critically examined and discussed. It is not possible in this kind of context to provide psychological help or advice to individuals who may read this site, and nothing written here should be construed in this manner. Readers seeking psychological help should consult a qualified practitioner in their own local area. They should explain their concerns to this person and develop a trusting working relationship. It is only in a one-to-one relationship of this kind that specific advice should be given or taken.

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