Troubled Persons Industries

This book critiques the use of psychiatric labelling and psychiatric narratives in everyday areas of institutional and social life across the globe. It engages an interpretive sociology, emphasising the medial and individual everyday practices of medicalisation, and their role in establishing and diffusing conceptions of mental (ab)normality. The reconstruction of psychiatric narratives is currently taking place in multiple contexts, many of which are no longer strictly psychiatric. On the one hand, psychiatric narratives now pervade contemporary public discourses and institutions though advertising, news and internet sites. On the other hand, professionals like social workers, teachers, counsellors, disability advisors, lawyers, nurses and/or health insurance staff dealing with psychiatric narratives are becoming servants of the psychiatric discourse within "troubled person's industries". Abstract academic categories get turned into concrete aggrieved victims of these categorisations and academic formulas turned into individual narratives. To receive support it seems, one must be labelled. The practice-oriented micro-sociological field with which this volume is concerned has only recently begun to integrate itself into public and academic debates regarding medicalisation and the social role of psychiatry. Discussions on the evolution and expansion of official diagnoses within academia, and society in general, frequently overlook the individualised roles of psychiatric diagnoses and the experiences of those involved and affected by these processes, an oversight which this volume seeks to both highlight and address. Martin Harbusch works at the University of Siegen and at the University of Hagen in Germany. His teaching and research address the sociology of mental health, with a specific focus on the use of categories of mental health and illness in contexts of social work. He also teaches Qualitative Methods at the University of Lüneburg, Germany.

This book critiques the use of psychiatric labelling and psychiatric narratives in everyday areas of institutional and social life across the globe. It engages an interpretive sociology, emphasising the medial and individual everyday practices of medicalisation, and their role in establishing and diffusing conceptions of mental (ab)normality. The reconstruction of psychiatric narratives is currently taking place in multiple contexts, many of which are no longer strictly psychiatric. On the one hand, psychiatric narratives now pervade contemporary public discourses and institutions though advertising, news and internet sites. On the other hand, professionals like social workers, teachers, counsellors, disability advisors, lawyers, nurses and/or health insurance staff dealing with psychiatric narratives are becoming servants of the psychiatric discourse within “troubled person’s industries”. Abstract academic categories get turned into concrete aggrieved victims of these categorisations and academic formulas turned into individual narratives. To receive support it seems, one must be labelled. The practice-oriented micro-sociological field with which this volume is concerned has only recently begun to integrate itself into public and academic debates regarding medicalisation and the social role of psychiatry. Discussions on the evolution and expansion of official diagnoses within academia, and society in general, frequently overlook the individualised roles of psychiatric diagnoses and the experiences of those involved and affected by these processes, an oversight which this volume seeks to both highlight and address.

A unique and groundbreaking collection of 54 articles organized in 11 thematic sections, SOCIAL PROBLEMS: READINGS WITH FOUR QUESTIONS 2e takes a structural/conflict approach yet lets the voices of those impacted by social problems be heard. The articles are a mix of classic and contemporary readings, covering a wide range of issues in the United States and the world. The introductory article, written by Joel Charon, focuses on four questions that students are urged to apply throughout the reader: What is the problem? What makes the problem a "social problem"? What causes the problem? What can be done? This four questions approach gives students a consistent sociological framework within which to analyze social problems. The articles have been painstakingly selected to hold student interest, highlight contemporary social problems, and help professors show students how to think sociologically about the social problems around us.

Representatives from management and labor, from university campuses, the fields of medicine, psychology, psychiatry, and government presented papers upon which these essays are based at a conference on "The Emotionally Disturbed Employee." Sponsored by the South Oaks Foundation and the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, an attempt was made to establish meaningful communication amongst various disciplines about the expensive problem of the emotionally troubled employee. Published by the South Oaks Foundation and the Medical School of the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

This powerful critique of youth justice based on lived experience, theory and practice looks at the topic through a refreshing new lens, suggesting that some existing ways of dealing with children and young people may do more harm than good. After making readers aware of Risk Relation Paradox, the author shows that positive outcomes cannot be imposed or directed but that they can stem from ‘presence, attunement, connection and trust’ (PACT). Then priority should be given to buffering the impact of familiar but questionable relationships in a youngster’s own ‘village’ that may have led to toxic stress, complex trauma, criminal or anti-authority attitudes and other adverse childhood experiences. In arguing for change, Andi Brierley brings his extensive experience on both sides of the justice fence as prisoner and professional to bear — and whilst he champions the engagement skills of others who have travelled a similar journey, he also explains how the approach can be used by anyone. Reviews ‘This important and engaging text will be of great value to those working within the youth justice sector and educators alike… Andi Brierley crafts a new framework that facilitates pathways to positive outcomes. And offers a rich and insightful account of the key components of effective relationship-based practice.’-- Dr Sean Creaney, Edge Hill University, UK. ‘This book sits at the intersection between personal lived experience and professional practice and … makes it a hugely valuable contribution to the discourse … Brierley not only contextually articulates his experiences but seeks to provide a new framework through which youth justice can effect change.’-- Lisa Cherry (From the Foreword). Author Andrew Brierley is a Youth Justice Specialist with 15 years of experience working with the most prolific, serious, vulnerable and complex youngsters involved in offending behaviour. He is the author of Your Honour Can I Tell You My Story? (Waterside Press, 2019) which made a difference for other incarcerated young people and professionals working with young people in trouble concerning the relational issues many such children experience — and how they bounce back.

This book is about helping troubled young people who are searching separately for security, identity, and purpose in their lives. Childhood and adolescence are pivotal stages in the quest to belong, to become somebody, and to be worth something. Children need stimulation, affection, and guidance in order to develop their potentials, but many are reared in environments that deprive them of these nutriments. Adolescents approach the threshold of independence with only the experiences gained from childhood; many lack the support of significant actions. Those who encounter difficulty in navigating through these turbulent years are to be identified by society as troubled or troublesome. These children and youth present challenges that do not yield to simple panaceas. Although no simple approach holds all the answers, bridging various concepts of education and treatment offers the best opportunity for creating positive changes. The authors refer to this process as -re-education- with full awareness that this term has been used in a variety of philosophical contexts including behavioral, ecological, and psychodynamic views.