What Is Mental Illness?
Mental illness encompasses disorders that affect emotions, thoughts, and behavior, leading to impaired social interactions and daily functioning. Various theories offer explanations, including the biomedical model, which links mental illness to brain chemistry, and the social constructionist model, which sees mental illness as a societal label. This paper examines these approaches, highlighting their differences and the importance of integrating both perspectives in understanding and treating mental health issues effectively.
References
Conrad, P & Barker, KK 2010, ‘ The Social Construction of Illness: Key Insights and Policy Implications’, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, vol. 51, no. 1suppl., pp. S67-S79.
Gorenstein, EE n.d., Debating Mental Illness Implications for Science, Medicine, and Social Policy. Web.
Holstein, JA 1993, Court-Ordered Insanity: Interpretive Practice and Involuntary Commitment, Aldine, New York.
National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) 2012, What is Mental Illness: Mental Illness Facts. Web.
Perring, C 2001, Mental Illness. Web.
Reference
StudyCorgi. (2025, April 8). What Is Mental Illness? https://studycorgi.video/what-is-mental-illness/