Full Description
The myths of mental illness are numerous and negatively affect the lives of patients on a regular basis. For this reason they demand exposure and rectification, and this book proposes the means to accomplish both.
The focus of this book is the institution of professional mental health as it operates in America today, specifically addressing how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSMMD), the primary resource used in the mental health profession, has influenced much larger social issues.
Chapters are organized around the discussion of prominent myths of the mental health system. Case studies of mental health patients are presented to illustrate the serious misfortunes that befall individuals who have been mislabeled and mistreated. As the examples reveal, in many instances the patients' lives have been plagued by the designation of mental "disorders" that perhaps never existed. The book challenges the mental health system to evolve beyond the DSMMD focus on pathology and develop a more humane method of addressing the functional needs of patients. International perspectives are presented, and specific steps are outlined for providing mental health services that adequately serve individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Making the Case Against Diagnostic Labeling
Myth I: The Mental Health System Truly Serves the Public Good
Introduction: The Myth of Serving the Public Good
2. What We Believe About Helping Professionals
3. The Therapist Always Knows Best
4. What We Mean by Mental Health
5. The Medical Model
6. The World of Secrecy
7. Twin Sisters of Different Mothers: Disability or Disorder?
Myth II: The DSMMD Applies to Every Client
Introduction: When the DSMMD Just Doesn't Serve
8. Humpty Dumpty's Guide to the DSMMD:
Critical Issues in the Diagnostic Approach
9. About Fitting the Square Peg into the Round Hole
10. Looking Deeper into the Pond: Continuing the Case
Against Diagnostic Labeling
11. The Mental Health Paradox: Helping or Harming
12. Special Forever: A Kid's Worst Nightmare!
13. Everyone Needs a Label, Don't They?
14. Looking Beyond the Label to Serve Every Client
15. The Acknowledgment Approach
16. Assessment Approaches
17. The Role of the Therapist
Myth III: The Mental Health System is Accessible to the Disadvantaged
Introduction: No Clear Pathways to the System
18. Case: Joey
19. Case: Sally
20. Case: Barry
21. Case: Tammy
22. Case: Max
Myth IV: The System of Diagnostic Labeling Provides Solutions to Social Problems
Introduction: The Ultimate Betrayal
23. Understanding the Origins of Labeling
24. Defining What We Mean by Serious Mental Illness
25. Facing the Ultimate Challenge
Afterthoughts
Appendix: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
Notes
Bibliography
Index
