Overview

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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Kristie Madsen ,  Peter Leech
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.286kg
ISBN:  

9780786428724

ISBN 10:   0786428724
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   15 February 2007
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of 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     

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Author Information

Kristie Madsen is a medical social worker at Mendocino Coast District Hospital in Fort Bragg, California. She lives in Fort Bragg. Peter Leech is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. He lives in Fort Bragg, California.

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