Our lexicon of mental illness is immense: There currently are hundreds of classified disorders and an extensive assortment of medications and therapies. This course explores the history of this productive science -- its discoveries, classifications, and treatments of psychiatric distress. The excursion begins with a general introduction and proceeds to explore 4 kinds of mental illness: neurasthenia, depression, attention deficits (ADD/ADHD), and narcissism. Each kind is examined in terms of its scientific research and classification; treatments developed to cure or alleviate its symptoms; lived-experiences of those so diagnosed with the disorder; and critical reflection on the diagnosis.
This course departs from histories that mainly chronicle scientific achievements and, instead, invites you to investigate how the scientific discoveries and therapies were deeply informed by cultural conditions of the time. The cultural influences on psychiatric science include ideals of individual happiness; conceptions about what is ‘normal’; notions of rational personhood; and existing social, gender, and racial hierarchies/biases. We investigate these cultural dynamics and then look at the lived experiences of those who were diagnosed or living with the condition. Paying attention to culture and lived experiences accords with the perspective of “mad studies,” a recent movement to foreground the people who suffer and the socio-political conditions surrounding their experiences. Exploring cultural dynamics and lived experiences along with the scientific milestones prepares us to critically reflect on world of psychopathology and on psychopathology in the world. In our reflection classes we will ask, for instance, about the forces behind incredible increases in depression and attention deficit disorder; racial and gender biases in research and treatment; the apparent happiness epidemic; and the prospects of neurodiversity.
Status: Cultural Diversity
Cultural Diversity
Status: Mental and Behavioral Health
Mental and Behavioral Health
Beginner·Course·15 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 11, 2024
The courses reaches a full depth and coursera proven a best platform that is every been to access and attempting the best courses online.
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 6, 2025
Extremely informative and easy to follow along, but the quiz has too many irrelevant questions
5.0
·Reviewed May 5, 2022
Such a good course, so thought enticing. I would recommend it, especially to those working in mental health.
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 29, 2023
History of Mental Illness is very informative course
4.0
·Reviewed Jan 1, 2025
A good beginner's course which takes one back in time to understand how the current views came into being!
5.0
·Reviewed Jan 15, 2025
I really loved this course and ma'am explained so clearly.....I really learned a lot of things
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 18, 2022
The course and the teacher have been very effective in helping me to learn about the history of mental illness. Thank you!
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 21, 2022
Excellent information and course lessons. Very informative.
All reviews
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M
Mary
3.0
·Reviewed Aug 31, 2021
Compared to other coourses Ive taken thru Coursera including the 1st course in the Abnormal Psychology Specialization; I found this Professsor to be hard to understand and confusing. The subject matter was interesting but I felt it could have been presented in a more organized and concise manner. Was actuelly relieved when I finished because couldn't listen to this lecturer any longer; I'm not a novice at attending lectures either - I'm an MD.
E
Elena
5.0
·Reviewed May 6, 2022
Such a good course, so thought enticing. I would recommend it, especially to those working in mental health.
P
Peach
2.0
·Reviewed Nov 27, 2024
The course material was extremely interesting, and it is important that we learn the history of the field of psychology and various disorders and conditions which are prevalent in the modern world. However, the execution was very poor and off-putting. The professor does a horrible job of "teaching" the material as it is quite obvious she's blindly reading a script. She makes multiple mistakes while reading, which is normal, but they are left in instead of being edited out of the videos. As someone who relies on subtitles, the videos are not very accessible to people with hearing or reading problems. The delivery of the professor is, to be frank, quite boring and made me uninterested in completing this course (I did finish it though). There is too much reading material. The PDFs are not compatible with screen readers which makes them inaccessible for people with attention issues, dyslexia, the visually impaired etc. Nonetheless, I still recommend this course to anyone who wants to pursue a future in Psychology, as it is informative and thorough.
V
Volodymyr
1.0
·Reviewed Nov 11, 2024
Although, the subject is hugely interesting, unfortunately I can't recommend this course because of the lecturer, who is obviously unprepared with this specific material and speaks very unclearly
H
Habeeba
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 25, 2022
Dr. Jill Morawski, in her lectures, explained how we reacheed, and where we are now in the field of psychological pathologies. i thouroughly enjoyed the course especially the 'the lived experiences' sections. Thank you, Professor. I am eagerly waiting for more lectures from your side.
I
Ishola
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 12, 2024
The courses reaches a full depth and coursera proven a best platform that is every been to access and attempting the best courses online.
S
Suzanne
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 19, 2022
The course and the teacher have been very effective in helping me to learn about the history of mental illness. Thank you!
P
Paola
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 29, 2023
Lo disfruté muchísimo, ojalá realicen alguno sobre Autismo. Muy recomendado. Perspectiva critica maravillosa
D
Digyat
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 7, 2025
Extremely informative and easy to follow along, but the quiz has too many irrelevant questions
B
Bhoomika
5.0
·Reviewed Jan 16, 2025
I really loved this course and ma'am explained so clearly.....I really learned a lot of things
M
Monika
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 3, 2024
Very informative and valuable to see the changes over the years.
Α
Αggeliki
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 9, 2021
Mrs. Morawsky has one of the best courses I have ever attended.
J
Jean
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 22, 2022
Excellent information and course lessons. Very informative.
A
Azra
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 30, 2023
History of Mental Illness is very informative course
