Vice and Psychiatric Diagnosis {AIBH Exclusive}

Product Full Description

In Vice and Psychiatric Diagnosis, John Z. Sadler explores the complex interplay between concepts of vice—such as immorality and criminality—and psychiatric diagnoses. He begins with a fundamental question: why do certain mental disorder categories incorporate immoral or criminal behaviors as diagnostic criteria, while most do not? This inquiry leads to a broader examination of how notions of "madness and morality" have evolved throughout intellectual history and how they influence contemporary mental health policies and practices.​

Sadler's analysis sheds light on the challenges faced in mental health and social care systems, particularly concerning the fragmentation of services for individuals with mental illnesses, criminal offenders, and those with intellectual disabilities. He discusses the implications of integrating vice concepts into psychiatric practice, addressing issues like the insanity defense, the management of mentally ill offenders, and the ethical considerations in forensic psychiatry. By providing a historical perspective and examining current cultural attitudes, Sadler offers a nuanced understanding of the moral dimensions embedded in psychiatric diagnosis and their impact on social welfare systems.​

Key Features

• Interdisciplinary Analysis: Combines insights from psychiatry, philosophy, law, and social policy to examine the moral underpinnings of psychiatric diagnoses.
• Historical Context: Traces the evolution of the concepts of vice and mental illness from prehistory to the late 20th century.
• Contemporary Relevance: Addresses current issues in mental health care, including the treatment of criminal offenders and the ethical challenges in forensic psychiatry.
• Critical Examination: Questions the incorporation of moral judgments into psychiatric classifications and their implications for diagnosis and treatment.
• Scholarly Contribution: Offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the intersection of morality and mental health, contributing to ongoing debates in the field.​