The Cultural Sociology of Mental Illness: A Comprehensive Guide

Recent reports suggest a staggering rise in mental illness, prompting crucial questions: Are there truly more mentally ill people, or are more individuals being diagnosed and treated? What roles do economics and the pharmacological industry play in this controversy?

At the heart of the issue lies cultural sociology: how diverse cultures approach mental illness and, conversely, how mental health patients are affected by their cultural context. This multidisciplinary reference delves into the culture of mental illness from non-clinical perspectives, including sociology, history, psychology, epidemiology, economics, public health policy, and the experiences of mental health patients themselves.

Key Themes and Perspectives

• Cultural comparisons of mental health disorders
• Cultural sociology of mental illness around the world
• Economics and the mental health industry
• Epidemiology and the prevalence of mental illness
• Mental health practitioners and their role in diagnosis and treatment
• Non-drug treatments and alternative approaches
• Patient perspectives and experiences
• Psychiatry, psychology, and the intersection of both
• Psychopharmacology and the use of medication
• Public policy and its impact on mental health care
• Social history and the evolution of mental health care
• Sociology and the cultural context of mental illness

A Comprehensive Reference Guide

This two-volume A-Z work features nearly 400 in-depth articles from renowned experts in their respective fields, covering a wide range of topics related to the cultural sociology of mental illness. The reference guide includes:

• An introduction providing context and background information
• A thematic reader’s guide to help navigate the topics
• A glossary of key terms and concepts
• A resource guide featuring key books, journals, and associations, along with their websites
• A chronology placing the cultural sociology of mental illness in historical context
• 150 photographs bringing concepts to life

This invaluable reference is a testament to the intellectual vitality of the field and will make a significant contribution to the next generation of sociological research on the cultural sociology of mental illness.