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Diagnosis as Part of a Large Social Emotional System

2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 34; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/01639625.2013.800428

1521-0456

Thomas J. Scheff,

Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

This article examines the diagnosis of mental illness as part of a process that can be more clearly understood if envisioned as part of a larger system that goes on in most social encounters. These encounters can go in three directions: Labeling, Enabling, and Normalization. Labeling is equivalent to stigmatization, the awarding of a shameful status. Enabling awards a prideful status: “There is nothing wrong with you.” Normalization takes a middle ground: you have a problem, but it's not shameful. These ideas are discussed as depicted in the film Lars and the Real Girl (2007). The film teaches a powerful lesson: how a community might manage mental illness without the social side-effects.