RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Psychiatric diagnosis, psychiatric power and psychiatric abuse.
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 135
OP 138
DO 10.1136/jme.20.3.135
VO 20
IS 3
A1 T Szasz
YR 1994
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/20/3/135.abstract
AB Psychiatric abuse, such as we usually associate with practices in the former Soviet Union, is related not to the misuse of psychiatric diagnoses, but to the political power intrinsic to the social role of the psychiatrist in totalitarian and democratic societies alike. Some reflections are offered on the modern, therapeutic state's proclivity to treat adults as patients rather than citizens, disjoin rights from responsibilities, and thus corrupt the language of political-philosophical discourse.