Being Mentally Ill: A Sociological Theory

Abstract

In incorporating social process into a model of dynamics of mental disorders, this text questions individualistic model favoured in current psychiatric and psychoanalytic theory. While conventional psychiatric viewpoint seeks causes of mental illness, Scheff views the symptoms of mental as violation of residual rules - social norms so taken for granted that they are not explicitly verbalized. The sociological theory developed by Scheff to account for such behaviour provides a framework for studies reported in subsequent chapters. Two key assumptions emerge: first, that most chronic mental illness is in part a social role; and second, that societal reaction may in part determine entry into that role. Throughout, sociological model of mental illness is compared and contrasted with more conventional medical and psychological models in an attempt to delineate significant problems for further analysis and research. This third edition has been revised and expanded to encompass controversy prompted by first edition, and also to re-evaluate developments in field. New to this edition are discussions of use of psychoactive drugs in treatment of mental illness, changing mental health laws, new social science and psychiatric studies, and controversy surrounding labelling theory of mental illness itself.