The Myth Of Mental Illness Thomas Szasz Summary

The Myth of Mental Illness by Thomas Szasz is an article about mental illnesses being a socially constructed. The article argues that scientists have no source of what is a mental illness, where does it generates from and why is it considered to be a mental illness. For the reason above, in the article, Szasz stated that if an illness such as schizophrenia cannot be found in an autopsy then it is not a disease. To sum it up Szasz is saying that psychiatry should know the biological factors of things instead of labeling mental illnesses.

The Case of Involuntary Hospitalization of the Mentally Ill by Paul Chodoff is an article about a person being hospitalized against their will. Chodoff argues the morality reasons of hospitalization and the different approaches toward hospitalization such as utilitarian, deontological, right and

obligations. Chodoff stated that he agrees with the medical model approach because some patients can or cannot make a decision for themselves. Chodoff and Szasz took moral principle steps in making their decision even though it was in different approaches. Szasz argument focus on autonomy and civil rights. Chodoff argument focus on beneficence and medical model. The articles pertain to ethics because both Szasz and Chodoff demonstrate justice or conflict in their article.
The ethical principles that were being used in both articles were virtue ethics.

Virtue ethics is when you ask yourself “Am I doing what is best for my client?” In Chodoff article The Case of Involuntary Hospitalization of the Mentally Ill, he says that if a patient is not capable of making a decision the decision is now in his hands. Szasz opposes because he says that you should not give anyone consent whereas they have no involvement. Both articles also focused on principle ethics which is making sense of a situation, asking yourself “Is this situation ethical or unethical”? In Szasz, The Myth of Mental Illness article he says that he does not think the use of legal proceedings and involuntary hospitalization is ethical. Chodoff opposes because his argument somewhat includes the beneficence of the doctor and the medical ethics that doctors have to follow themselves. One ethical principles that was not potentially being violated was Non-maleficence because Szasz and Chodoff avoided harm when giving adheres. However the ethical principle that were mentioned above were violated when both authors they their input based on their feelings

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In conclusion, Szasz argues that mental illness is a myth and is socially constructed when Chodoff argues that involuntary hospitalization of the mentally ill is a way of help. The ethical principles that were illustrated in the articles from both authors were virtue ethics and principle ethics. As stated before virtue ethics is asking yourself “am I doing what’s best for my client" and principle ethics is asking yourself in the situation ethical or unethical. In the article. I agreed with Szasz when he said the mental illness is socially constructed because today many people claim to be bipolar or schizophrenic. I did not agree with Chodoff too much because suffering or not I do not think a doctor should be able to make any choices for you. The articles did not evoke any feelings in me as a future mental health/human services worker because I have my own morals and beliefs also because there are set rules to follow in any dilemma. The articles gave more of an understanding about the mentally ill not having any say so or bring labeled as mentally ill when it is not.