Petrić, Ana.
(2017).
Mental health as a political issue.
Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology.
[mentor Pletenac, Tomislav and Špoljar-Vržina, Sanja].
Abstract
In this thesis the author maps out the changes within the biomedical conceptualization
of depression. By analyzing various explanatory models present throughout history, as well as
by reviewing the recent taxonomic changes in contemporary diagnostic manuals, the thesis
explains how medicalization of a broad spectrum of symptoms allowed for feelings of low
intensity to be interpreted as symptoms of mental illness - depression. Furthermore, two indepth interviews are used to illustrate the problems characteristic of contemporary psychiatric
diagnostics, while pointing to the often ignored social causes of symptoms typical for
depression. By connecting the interlocutors' experiences with the wider economical and
political context, the author calls for depathologization of depression and points to the
disastrous impact the neoliberal politics and deterioration of workers' rights can have on
mental health.
Actions (login required)
![View Item View Item](/style/images/action_view.png) |
View Item |