[schluffinplan]

This makes me think of Michel Foucault's perspective on mental illness. That what we pathologize in society is related to what society values negatively in someone's personality and temperament. I agree that this has been historically true but may be changing more with the modern approach to mental illness.

The way the idea of pathology was taught to me when I took my introductory Psychology classes was framed more in relationship to the idea of healthy functioning. This meant being able to fulfill obligations like being able to work and take care of yourself but also recognizing conditions whose harm is more internally felt.

This definition presented to me doesn't entirely escape Foucault's view of your environment determining what is or isn't a pathology, but when it was taught to me it felt like a reflection of a less socially determined view of mental illness. Mental illness has gained a greater emphasis on helping to improve the personal mental state of the individual irrespective of social expectations. Maybe I am being more idealistic with this thinking.

It would interesting to hear from someone with more professional experience on this since I've only dabbled with a few college classes and books on the subject so my knowledge is quite limited.

[anon291]

> but may be changing more with the modern approach to mental illness.

The only thing that's changed is what we consider pathological.