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Sociology of Mental Disorder
Offering a review of the field of mental health from a sociological perspective, this text incorporates the most current data and research findings available, including the latest edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-IV).
372 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 11, 2017
Not my favorite text ever as far as readability goes, but I feel like I have learned a lot from this book. Sociology of Mental Disorder did a great job of covering the different sociological aspects of mental illness starting with a look into the history of mental health and how it has been perceived by society, going into classification of mental illnesses in the DSM editions, to a brief overview of the different types of mental illness that are within this classification system, then on to discuss studies and research done on sociological factors which might have a correlation with mental illness, international statistics, a history of treatment plans, current treatment options, mental healthcare, and mental health and the law. I feel that the text does a good job at looking at both past and currently developing social response to mental health care, both the things that have worked and those that have not and discussing underlying issues/concerns on the forefront of mental health care.
I certainly appreciate all of the many cited sources used throughout the text, discussing a great number of studies and court cases old and new. The last few chapters of the book were particularly interesting for me, in which mental healthcare in the US and also internationally, was discussed. I learned a lot on how different countries approach health care in general differently but then also how mental health care is managed. Considering the great sociological/cultural effect on mental health, it is interesting to look into how different treatment plans arise from the values of different cultures and the results they produce. Reflecting on this can also provide insight into how US society reflects upon our current mental health care options and what things we need to improve on in order to continue progressing down the path of community and outpatient care. Some big issues with mental health care are the stigma in the community, the unwillingness to get treatment, the lack of resources, and the lack of funding. With other countries that were looked at, a national insurance coverage plan seemed to mitigate many of these issues, especially when these health care plans include proper coverage for mental health.
Outside of this, in order to progress the state of US mental health, the importance of education on: mental health, options for treatment, drug and substance abuse, and community involvement, are all paramount. Creating initiatives which can connect the different resources of a community in a combined effort for these preventive, treatment, and educational measures is the task that community mental health care must accomplish, while finding a way for funding.
I certainly appreciate all of the many cited sources used throughout the text, discussing a great number of studies and court cases old and new. The last few chapters of the book were particularly interesting for me, in which mental healthcare in the US and also internationally, was discussed. I learned a lot on how different countries approach health care in general differently but then also how mental health care is managed. Considering the great sociological/cultural effect on mental health, it is interesting to look into how different treatment plans arise from the values of different cultures and the results they produce. Reflecting on this can also provide insight into how US society reflects upon our current mental health care options and what things we need to improve on in order to continue progressing down the path of community and outpatient care. Some big issues with mental health care are the stigma in the community, the unwillingness to get treatment, the lack of resources, and the lack of funding. With other countries that were looked at, a national insurance coverage plan seemed to mitigate many of these issues, especially when these health care plans include proper coverage for mental health.
Outside of this, in order to progress the state of US mental health, the importance of education on: mental health, options for treatment, drug and substance abuse, and community involvement, are all paramount. Creating initiatives which can connect the different resources of a community in a combined effort for these preventive, treatment, and educational measures is the task that community mental health care must accomplish, while finding a way for funding.
September 30, 2023
Tldr: Didn't learn anything, questionable information, highly stigmatizing language with no excuse as the book was published in 2021.
(I showed my therapist who has a MSW and he literally said "the fuck?!" To what he was reading.
I have a Bachelors in psychology, had this book for a sociology graduate course, and honestly, there's nothing new here besides the authors theory of the experience of mental disorder.
That theory is based on qualitative work without actually conducting interviews or doing the research on the experiences of mentally ill people themselves. Seeing as how the author does not cite a separate peer reviewed paper around this study, I can assume they took the book route because there would be less critique of the empirical nature of the theory. "Although not all mentally ill persons may fit this model or go through all the phases or each phase in the order presented..." Then what's the point of the theory? If it can not predict or give an accurate overall understanding, then how useful is it really? I'm all for its development to continue and become better, but to be honest, after reading this book, I don't want this guy interacting with my mentally ill siblings.
In the "concepts of causes and cures" chapter, the author has the medical model down (though since it's a sociology book maybe looking at the sociology of the more controversial aspects of medical treatment for mental illness would have been more useful). When it comes to psychology, it focuses on psychoanalysis and behaviorism, two types of methods and therapies that are rarely practiced as of the current day and were mainly used in the 1900s. Yet are listed as two important psychological methods to mental illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (different from behavior modification alone as it works to change cognitive processes over time as the source of behavior) is hugely used today yet does not get a mention. Instead, I get psychology 101 and rewelcome my intense hatred of Freud.
As of today, it is my understanding that psychology stresses the biopsychosocial model. It tries to take holistic approaches to understanding individual behavior. This book does not do that justice and acts like it's only sociologists who think of social forces on individual behavior. Social psychology literally exists as it does so.
Most importantly, to me, the author uses the terms madness and insane/insanity liberally. On page 30, there's even "the minds of disturbed people" like that's in any way okay. The theory I mentioned earlier? "Madness as a method of coping" and the use of madness outside of the title again and again. On page 45, there's an "image of dissociative identity disorder" that looks like a dude leaving his own body. And in the context of professionalism, when you are not coming from a disability activist standpoint, person first language is best. That's not used here.
Most readers would be better off reading the work of Goffman. It's older and has stigmatizing language, but at least it has the time period to excuse it on. Rutledge has publications about Mad Studies and actual critiques of psychiatry from psychiatric survivors that will teach you something that psychology will not. Social psychology has plenty of information out there. There's no doubt a book about the social aspects of psychopathology. You have plenty of options, do not go with this one.
(I showed my therapist who has a MSW and he literally said "the fuck?!" To what he was reading.
I have a Bachelors in psychology, had this book for a sociology graduate course, and honestly, there's nothing new here besides the authors theory of the experience of mental disorder.
That theory is based on qualitative work without actually conducting interviews or doing the research on the experiences of mentally ill people themselves. Seeing as how the author does not cite a separate peer reviewed paper around this study, I can assume they took the book route because there would be less critique of the empirical nature of the theory. "Although not all mentally ill persons may fit this model or go through all the phases or each phase in the order presented..." Then what's the point of the theory? If it can not predict or give an accurate overall understanding, then how useful is it really? I'm all for its development to continue and become better, but to be honest, after reading this book, I don't want this guy interacting with my mentally ill siblings.
In the "concepts of causes and cures" chapter, the author has the medical model down (though since it's a sociology book maybe looking at the sociology of the more controversial aspects of medical treatment for mental illness would have been more useful). When it comes to psychology, it focuses on psychoanalysis and behaviorism, two types of methods and therapies that are rarely practiced as of the current day and were mainly used in the 1900s. Yet are listed as two important psychological methods to mental illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (different from behavior modification alone as it works to change cognitive processes over time as the source of behavior) is hugely used today yet does not get a mention. Instead, I get psychology 101 and rewelcome my intense hatred of Freud.
As of today, it is my understanding that psychology stresses the biopsychosocial model. It tries to take holistic approaches to understanding individual behavior. This book does not do that justice and acts like it's only sociologists who think of social forces on individual behavior. Social psychology literally exists as it does so.
Most importantly, to me, the author uses the terms madness and insane/insanity liberally. On page 30, there's even "the minds of disturbed people" like that's in any way okay. The theory I mentioned earlier? "Madness as a method of coping" and the use of madness outside of the title again and again. On page 45, there's an "image of dissociative identity disorder" that looks like a dude leaving his own body. And in the context of professionalism, when you are not coming from a disability activist standpoint, person first language is best. That's not used here.
Most readers would be better off reading the work of Goffman. It's older and has stigmatizing language, but at least it has the time period to excuse it on. Rutledge has publications about Mad Studies and actual critiques of psychiatry from psychiatric survivors that will teach you something that psychology will not. Social psychology has plenty of information out there. There's no doubt a book about the social aspects of psychopathology. You have plenty of options, do not go with this one.
April 22, 2025
The Sociology of Mental Disorder promises a sociological lens on mental health, but so far, the execution feels underwhelming. While it offers a decent overview of psychological models and historical developments, the sociological perspective often takes a backseat. Which is frustrating for a 400 lvl course content.
The text relies too heavily on psychological frameworks without clearly articulating why these models are significant from a sociological standpoint. That is beyond brief, somewhat vague summaries at the end of each chapter. In chapter 4, there is a statement on the medical being important to sociological research but I would have liked to see some data, statistics and implementations of this. Not to review Freud for the 300th time. BUT, I am only part way through the book so perhaps this is skewed.
For a book marketed as sociological, the content feels surprisingly rudimentary and occasionally overly broad, suited more for an introductory course; which is fine, and necessary. Many critical concepts are introduced, but not deeply explored or critically connected to sociological theory in a way that feels meaningful, again, better suited for an introduction course rather than a later undergraduate class.
Thus far, it reads more like an introductory mental health survey than a deep dive into the sociology of mental illness. I appreciate the foundational information on the DSM-3 and the naunce, criticism and information on the development of each installment but am not particularly fond of the verbiage or the articulation of psychosexual development or further explanation on newer psychological models that are far more effective. Or... More rooted in evidence.
However, with all of this said: this is a tentative review based on the first five chapters. There’s still time for the book to deliver on its premise. But at this point, I’m left wanting a clearer, or perhaps more robust explanation of how and why sociology contributes to understanding mental Disorder. And why medical sociology would even be relevant to applied clinical psychology beyond the absolute basics and understanding of WHY sociology is a relevant field at all (which it is). Upper division text should not be addressing master labels with so much intensity, it should be a given at this point but I digress.
There is interesting information within the text. I am optimistic this will expand in later chapters. But I am currently burnt on many topics that I am already familiar with. The way it addresses cluster disorders feels outdated, and lacks consideration for the trauma based aspect of disorders like BPD. But, for foundational text it is fine if yoy ignore some of the clear signs of bias.
The text relies too heavily on psychological frameworks without clearly articulating why these models are significant from a sociological standpoint. That is beyond brief, somewhat vague summaries at the end of each chapter. In chapter 4, there is a statement on the medical being important to sociological research but I would have liked to see some data, statistics and implementations of this. Not to review Freud for the 300th time. BUT, I am only part way through the book so perhaps this is skewed.
For a book marketed as sociological, the content feels surprisingly rudimentary and occasionally overly broad, suited more for an introductory course; which is fine, and necessary. Many critical concepts are introduced, but not deeply explored or critically connected to sociological theory in a way that feels meaningful, again, better suited for an introduction course rather than a later undergraduate class.
Thus far, it reads more like an introductory mental health survey than a deep dive into the sociology of mental illness. I appreciate the foundational information on the DSM-3 and the naunce, criticism and information on the development of each installment but am not particularly fond of the verbiage or the articulation of psychosexual development or further explanation on newer psychological models that are far more effective. Or... More rooted in evidence.
However, with all of this said: this is a tentative review based on the first five chapters. There’s still time for the book to deliver on its premise. But at this point, I’m left wanting a clearer, or perhaps more robust explanation of how and why sociology contributes to understanding mental Disorder. And why medical sociology would even be relevant to applied clinical psychology beyond the absolute basics and understanding of WHY sociology is a relevant field at all (which it is). Upper division text should not be addressing master labels with so much intensity, it should be a given at this point but I digress.
There is interesting information within the text. I am optimistic this will expand in later chapters. But I am currently burnt on many topics that I am already familiar with. The way it addresses cluster disorders feels outdated, and lacks consideration for the trauma based aspect of disorders like BPD. But, for foundational text it is fine if yoy ignore some of the clear signs of bias.
April 20, 2016
Still relies a little too much on dated studies.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews