Behaviorism and Mental Health

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

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Tell Your Story
  • Submit Your Story
  • Moderation Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for case study

DSM-5 And Somatic Symptom Disorder

March 17, 2014 By Phil Hickey | 16 Comments

Under DSM-IV, a “diagnosis” of somatization disorder entailed a history of physical symptoms for which, despite thorough medical evaluation, no satisfactory physical etiology could be established.  In DSM-5, this “diagnosis” was replaced by somatic symptom disorder.  This is essentially similar to DSM-IV’s somatization disorder – with one critical difference.  The newer “diagnosis” can be assigned… Continue Reading

A Psychiatric Case Study. A Sad Story

October 24, 2013 By Phil Hickey | 9 Comments

One of the criticisms that I routinely make of psychiatry is that its primary agenda during initial evaluations is the assignment of a “diagnosis,” and that ongoing “treatment” consists of 15-minute “med checks,” during which drug regimens are changed and adjusted.  The essence of my criticism is that this kind of approach inevitably oversimplifies human… Continue Reading

Conversion Disorder

April 14, 2013 By Phil Hickey | 2 Comments

In DSM-IV, conversion disorder is described as distressful symptoms (or symptom) of voluntary motor or sensory function that “suggest” a neurological or other illness even though no actual pathology is present, and there is reason to believe that the problem is psychological in origin.  It has sometimes been called hysterical blindness, hysterical paralysis, hysterical anesthesia,… Continue Reading

Involuntary Commitment – A Case Study

February 28, 2013 By Phil Hickey | 8 Comments

Years ago I was director of a county mental health center in an Eastern state.  Shortly after taking the position, I became concerned that clients were being involuntarily committed too readily and without exploration of other options.  I issued an instruction that all such activity had to be approved by a middle manager before it… Continue Reading

Don’t Call Yourself That: The Harmful Effects of Negative Self-labeling

February 25, 2013 By Phil Hickey | Leave a Comment

When we were young, most of us devoted a good deal of time and energy to squabbling with other children.  To the dismay of our parents, we because adept in the use of impolite language, and kept our stock of insulting words and phrases up-to-date.  As adults we are more socially sophisticated.  We no longer… Continue Reading

If Depression Is Not An Illness, What Is It?

February 12, 2013 By Phil Hickey | 27 Comments

Elsewhere on this site, I have argued that depression is not an illness, but rather is an adaptive mechanism that encourages us to make changes in our habits or our circumstances. I have written about what I call the seven natural anti-depressants:  good nutrition; fresh air; sunshine (in moderation); physical activity; purposeful activity; good relationships;… Continue Reading

 

fb-share-icon
Visit Us
Follow Me
Tweet

Recent Articles

  • Torture at Lake Alice “Hospital”, New Zealand
  • Dr. Pies’ Non-Apology
  • Dr. Pies and The Chemical Imbalance Deception
  • Don’t Believe Everything You Read: Words Matter Desperately
  • Is Anti-Psychiatry Harmful?
  • Celebrating the Anti-Psychiatry Movement
  • Dr. Pies:  Still Going Wrong
  • A Psychiatrist Critiques Psychiatry, And Does A Great Job!
  • Dr. Aftab Interviews Dr. Pies
  • Is Psychiatry Dangerous?

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.

Disclaimer

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.

Privacy Policy

Recent Comments

Popular Topics…

abuse ADHD akathisia alcohol alcohol/drugs antidepressants antipsychotics anxiety benzodiazepines bipolar books worth reading case study chemical imbalance theory conflict of interest dealing with problems of daily living dependence depression drug DSM DSM-5 ECT expansion of psychiatric turf IF THEY'RE NOT ILLNESSES WHAT ARE THEY? involuntary commitment Mad in America major tranquilizers myth of chemical imbalance myth of mental illness neuroleptics over-medicalization of everyday life parenting pharmaceutical industry placebo posttraumatic stress disorder Psychiatric "spin" research corruption schizophrenia shock "treatment" side effects somatic symptom disorder SSRI's suicide survivors of psychiatry violence war on drugs

© 2009–2021