Psychiatry: The Science of Lies

I’ve gone down a lot of rabbit holes since finding myself an unwitting psychiatric survivor, and I don’t use that term lightly. Having never bought into the idea that mental disorders are chemically based (without diving in prior to my unfortunate experience, I suppose I got lucky and always just assumed that mental illness was usually attributed to the highly creative and unruly) Thomas doesn’t rally to defend those that become victims in the psychiatric system, he goes much further. He demands utmost responsibility.Malingering and hysteria are the topic of the first half of the book, explaining the once adhered to diagnosis of those that are now labeled mentally Ill. Throughout the book, he weaves in equal measure, the doings (or undoings) of Freud and his grand role in tipping psychiatry over the edge to where it is today: a behemoth of power, coercive control, and of course, lies.Szasz didn’t leave many stones unturned, his connecting the dots of other psychiatrists, researchers, neurobiologists and doctors also weave in and out fluently, culminating in a very clear picture of where we are today: caught in a web of lies, myth, and much manipulation.Yes, it confirmed my bias that the disease of mental illness doesn’t exist, but, he is so firm, lucid, and coming from such a place of integrity, that anyone, even those convinced of the lie, cannot go away thinking the same.Please read this book, if you have any doubts about psychiatry’s validity in this matter and give it to those who have fallen prey to its talons, though, they may not want to read it. They would have to take responsibility for the role they played in the lie and few can admit such error,Thomas Szasz remains, one of the iconoclasts of the 20th century. Although he doesn’t reiterate it in this book, he is true to the physicians vow, “Do no harm” a vow that has been all but buried in modern psychiatry, sadly.

This is a great book. I found it to be funny, honest, courageous, intelligent, interesting, and enjoyable to read. If my memory serves me (I read it cover to cover not longer after it was released) in it, Thomas Szasz advocates for outlawing civil commitment and the insanity defense, the foundations of institutional psychiatry and psychiatric slavery.

I am a counseling student and read this book looking for another opinion besides what the DSM and "professionals" are telling me.Szazs's book criticizes the history of psychiatry rather then mental illness itself. Mendacity is his primary assumption and the word that occurs most frequently throughout this book. Szazs seems to believe that if you can't see mental illness then it is not real and it must not be influencing that person's behavior (didn't people feel the same way about bacteria and virus?).In earlier times humans believed that sickness was brought upon by God, demons, sin, or by the way that the sun was in the sky or what star was over your head. Psychiatry is in it's infancy and of course there are going to be abuse of power by people who desire it.In the end Szazs makes a compelling argument for personal responsibility and freedom. We as human are always looking beyond ourselves and for another place to place responsibility for the choices that we and others makes. It is impossible for a person to ever become an expert on mental illness and people! It is strange how we seem to worship and adore those who have recovered from "illness".My only real complaint and disappointment with the book was that it cited Wikipedia!

great addition to my library. glad i purchased it. worth the read. looking forward to other additions. love to collect.

This collection goes beyond Szasz's other books in discussing what actually goes on in psychotherapy, absolving neither patient (so-called) or analyst (ditto). A little (though not completely) disjointed, but always thought-provoking; includes material on the modern system of "this drug must do this because the patient does thus as long as we give it to him." Interesting to compare with Theodore Dalrymple's observations on drugs and the rational calculations of supposedly irrational actors (and therapists who pretend to believe them).And, like Dalrymple, a model of clear, effective prose writing. Highly recommended for the open-minded.

This is one of the most enlightening, profound, and important books I have ever read. Pithy and devoid of fluff, Dr. Szasz' words resonate with the undeniable ring of truth. If my electronic highlighter could be worn out, it would have met its doom with these pages. The emperor stands naked indeed.

I liked this book. First time I’ve been exposed to the term ‘malinger’

Dr. Szasz makes a case that psychiatrist have tried to make a science out of the study of mental illness and failed. Dr. Szasz has been attacking the profession for 30 years or more. This short book can probably be looked at as his final effort to show why the profession should not be considered a science. He directs his attack at those claiming mental illness and those in the psychiatic profession who legitimatize their 'illnesses'.I ordered this book after having just finished Anatomy of An Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America by Robert Whitaker. This is another attack on psychiatrists along with their collusion with the pharmaceutical industry.Psychiatrist would not want you to read either book.