Critical psychiatry is a broad critique of mainstream psychiatry that has emerged in recent years which challenges some of psychiatry's most deeply held assumptions. It draws on philosophy, history, anthropology, social science and mental health service users' experiences.
There is no definitive 'critical psychiatry position'. It is a collection of critical perspectives intended to produce a more reflective, sceptical and patient-centred approach to the theory and practice of psychiatry.
In this module, we will define critical psychiatry and examine the understanding of and the responses to mental disorder.
