Notes From Prague: More Dichotomy, More Debate

By Natalie Timoshin, Managing Editor | March 7, 2012

NOTES FROM PRAGUE: A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

March 5, 2012

The two sides of Prague: Out one window are red roofs, ancient church steeples, and castles. Out the other, you see highways, high-rise buildings, and fast cars.

In more dichotomy news, a debate on whether the term "mental health" is misleading will take place at the 20th European Congress of Psychiatry. Dr Baker will present the pros for changing the designation from mental illness to brain illness. Dr Muijen will counter. Dolores Gauci will offer the patient's perspective.

by Ronald Pies | March 09, 2012 12:52 AM EST

Interesting reporting, and intriguing debate, Natalie...thanks!
As for the perennial "mind"vs. "brain" debate: the late R.E. Kendall argued that illness or disease is properly attributed to persons, not to minds or brains. It is the ill person we treat...so our labels should reflect that.

There are no perfect terms, alas, that capture such complexity, but I prefer "Neurobehavioral Disease", or simply "Psychiatric Disease" to either "mental illness" or "brain illness"...Best regards, Ron Pies

Notes From Prague: More Dichotomy, More Debate

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