Chapter 3 Chapter Overview

As the heading suggests, this chapter focuses on psychopharmaceuticals - drugs used to treat psychosis and similar disorders. Specifically, it examines the relationship between psychopharmaceutical medications, developments within psychiatry, and the changing conceptions about mental illness overtime.

Drawing on knowledge from historical evidence and contemporary practices, the chapter maps out trends that led to the emergence of psychopharmaceuticals, acknowledging its roots in mid-twentieth century (or even much earlier) treatment practices. Whilst exploring the shift in the conceptualization and use of psychiatric drugs between the mid and late twentieth century (from adjunctive to curative agent), it also draws a linkage between the success of psychopharmarceuticals and the rise, triumph and dominance of biological psychiatry. The chapter wraps up with a discussion of the controversies surrounding the production, marketing, and use of psychiatric medication, with a particular focus on the role of commercial agents.

It is clear from this chapter that despite the success and acceptance of psychopharmaceuticals by both practitioners and the public, a lot of controversy persist around its production, marketing, and use. Worthy of particular mention is the role of commercial actors within mental healthcare. Psychopharmaceuticals remain at the heart of mental healthcare and is core to our understandings of mental illness, its etiology, and treatment.