Thomas Szasz’s Views of Psychological Disorders

Thomas Szasz’s Views of Psychological Disorders

Numerous criticisms were stated by Thomas Szasz regarding the medical model. One of the criticisms will focus on psychiatric interventions that have undergone proliferation following the use of the medical model. This has been highly seen in the interventions practiced to help control the individual suffering from a mental or psychological disorder. My view regarding this particular criticism will be in support of Szasz’s views. The medical model has been regarded by some as highly efficient when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of an individual suffering from mental disorders. However, the medical model does pose a problem when it comes to the patient. No room will be left for the medical personnel to understand the patient. The medical model will focus more on controlling the patient based on the scientific understanding of how he or she behaves (Weiten, Dunn, & Hammer, 2014).

According to Szasz, the medical model will have various implications that will be related to underlying values that will have been kept hidden by some psychiatrists. Szasz managed to point out the flaws in psychoanalysis and psychiatry. He stated that the underlying values that can be found under psychoanalysis and psychiatry have been kept hidden. He also managed to provide an example of Freud, who kept his moral values a secret during the development of psychoanalysis since he wanted to appear neutral when it comes to the subject and to show that he was relying on scientific evidence. This particular argument is highly valid since there have been situations where the medical model has focused more on moral values rather than scientific evidence. This can be highly seen in the adoption of homosexuality, which had been previously regarded as a psychological condition by the American Psychiatric Association. This serves as an example of value implications that will be seen in the medical model. Moral values highly existed during the adoption of homosexuality as a mental illness. Hence, there are numerous works under the medical model that will have underlying values that are directly related to morality (Dammann, 1997).

Psychological disorders should not be treated the same way as other diseases are treated. The treatment of psychological disorders through the use of the medical model will focus on medication, which will be given to control the patient with the disorder. However, the medical model will not understand the reasons as to why the patient is behaving in a particular way. Furthermore, medication, which can be used to treat other diseases, may be effective during the treatment of such diseases. However, that does not mean that they will be effective in treating psychological disorders effectively.

References

Dammann, E. J. (1997). “The Myth of Mental Illness:” Continuing controversies and their implications for mental health professionals. Clinical Psychology Review, 17(7), 733-756.

Weiten, W., Dunn, D. S., & Hammer, E. Y. (2014). Psychology applied to modern life: Adjustment in the 21st century. Cengage Learning.