Reclaiming Agency and Autonomy: A Philosopher’s Perspective on Psychosis Recovery

Abigail Gosselin, a philosopher who has personally experienced psychosis, argues that recovery is only possible when individuals regain agency and autonomy within a therapeutic relationship built on mutual trust. In her groundbreaking book, Mental Patient, Gosselin uses her unique perspective to explore the often-overlooked psychiatric ethics surrounding psychosis and recovery.

The Impact of Psychosis on Agency and Autonomy

Psychosis can severely impair an individual’s agency and autonomy, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected from their own lives. Gosselin argues that clinicians play a crucial role in helping patients regain control by fostering a positive therapeutic relationship characterized by mutual trust.

To achieve this, patients must take an active role in their recovery. This includes giving testimony, constructing a narrative of their experience to instill meaning, making informed choices about treatment, and committing to participate in life activities.

The Importance of Empathetic Understanding

Gosselin emphasizes that a productive therapeutic relationship requires clinicians to possess an empathetic understanding of the patient’s experiences and perspectives. This empathetic understanding is essential for building trust and facilitating the recovery process.

The Ethics of Psychosis Recovery

Gosselin’s book delves into the complex psychiatric ethics surrounding psychosis recovery, including the development of epistemic agency and credibility, epistemic justice, the use of coercion, therapeutic alliance, the significance of choice, and the taking of responsibility.

Mental Patient is a unique blend of personal memoir and philosophical analysis, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of psychosis and recovery. By exploring the intricacies of the therapeutic relationship and the importance of agency and autonomy, Gosselin’s book provides a nuanced understanding of the recovery process.

Published by The MIT Press on December 13, 2022, Mental Patient is a 308-page paperback that promises to challenge readers’ understanding of psychiatric ethics and the recovery process.