Psychology 329FP - First-Person Narr. of Madness

Psychiatrists conceptualize "mental illness" in terms of the symptoms and diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). But how are psychological distress or unusual states of mind understood by the people who experience them? In this seminar, we analyze accounts (historical and contemporary) written by those who have first-hand experience of extreme states, intense emotions, or unusual perceptions or beliefs, to understand how these "counter-narratives" offer new insights into psychological life.

Prereq: 8 credits in Psychology and permission of instructor.