Thomas Szasz on Psychiatry

“If you talk to God, you are praying; If God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.” –Thomas S. Szasz

Dr. Thomas Szasz, author of nearly forty books, has long been an outspoken critic of the field of psychiatry.  His books, which include Antipsychiatry: Quackery Squared and Psychiatry: The Science of Lies call into question the best practices of psychiatry.  Szasz believes that state government and the psychiatrists take away individual choice and autonomy by labeling people as being mentally ill and hence, unable to exercise responsible decision making and live meaningful and productive lives.

For more information on the work and beliefs of Dr. Szasz, visit his website at: www.szasz.com.

NOTE:  The views and beliefs of Thomas Szasz are NOT necessarily the views and beliefs of Effective Family Communication; nevertheless, Szasz has made significant (albeit controversial) contributions to the helping professions and his teachings are worth examining.

The following videos, many of which are both enlightening, informative, and entertaining, present a general overview of Szasz and his work.

• In this video, Dr. Szasz speaks about the dangers of labeling and “diagnosing:”

• In this video, Szasz speaks out against the direction psychiatry has taken, stigmatization, and diagnostics:

• In this video, Szasz presents a paper to The Drug Policy Foundation:

• In the following video, Szasz speaks about Drugs and Free Choice: