The Myth of Mental Illness

By diagnosing behaviour problems as mental illness, this book argues that psychiatry absolves the individual of responsibility for his actions, placing blame instead on the illness. It also argues that Freudian psychology is a dangerous pseudo-science, and critiques the overreach of psychology into the various aspects of modern life. Thomas Szasz's classic book revolutionised thinking throughout the world about the nature of the psychiatric profession and the moral implications of its practices. By diagnosing behaviour problems as mental illness, psychiatry, Szasz argues, absolves the individual of responsibility for his actions, placing blame instead on the illness. In The Myth of Mental Illness, he attacks Freudian psychology as a dangerous pseudo-science and critiques the overreach of psychology into all aspects of modern life.