Psychiatry and the control of dangerousness: on the Apotropaic function of the term "mental illness".: An article from: Journal of Social Work Education

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From the author: The term "mental illness" implies that persons with such illnesses are more likely to be dangerous to themselves and/or others than are persons without such illnesses. This is the source of the psychiatrist's traditional social obligation to control "harm to self and/or others," that is, suicide and crime. The ethical dilemmas of psychiatry cannot be resolved as long as the contradictory functions of healing persons and protecting society are united in a single discipline.

Citation Details
Title: Psychiatry and the control of dangerousness: on the Apotropaic function of the term "mental illness".
Author: Thomas Szasz
Publication:Journal of Social Work Education (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 2003
Publisher: Council On Social Work Education
Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Page: 375(7)

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