A1 Journal article (refereed)
Dialogue as a Response to the Psychiatrization of Society? Potentials of the Open Dialogue Approach (2021)

von Peter, S., Bergström, T., Nenoff-Herchenbach, I., Hopfenbeck, M., Pocobello, R., Aderhold, V., Alvarez-Monjaras, M., Seikkula, J., & Heumann, K. (2021). Dialogue as a Response to the Psychiatrization of Society? Potentials of the Open Dialogue Approach. Frontiers in Sociology, 6, Article 806437. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.806437

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: von Peter, Sebastian; Bergström, Tomi; Nenoff-Herchenbach, Irene; Hopfenbeck, Mark, Steven; Pocobello, Raffaella; Aderhold, Volkmar; Alvarez-Monjaras, Mauricio; Seikkula, Jaakko; Heumann, Kolja

Journal or series: Frontiers in Sociology

eISSN: 2297-7775

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 22/12/2021

Volume: 6

Article number: 806437

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.806437

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79300

Abstract

In recent decades, the use of psychosocial and psychiatric care systems has increased worldwide. A recent article proposed the concept of psychiatrization as an explanatory framework, describing multiple processes responsible for the spread of psychiatric concepts and forms of treatment. This article aims to explore the potentials of the Open Dialogue (OD) approach for engaging in less psychiatrizing forms of psychosocial support. While OD may not be an all-encompassing solution to de-psychiatrization, this paper refers to previous research showing that OD has the potential to 1) limit the use of neuroleptics, 2), reduce the incidences of mental health problems and 3) decrease the use of psychiatric services. It substantiates these potentials to de-psychiatrize psychosocial support by exploring the OD’s internal logic, its use of language, its processes of meaning-making, its notion of professionalism, its promotion of dialogue and how OD is set up structurally. The conclusion touches upon the dangers of co-optation, formalization and universalization of the OD approach and stresses the need for more societal, layperson competencies in dealing with psychosocial crises.

Keywords: psychiatry; mental disorders; psychiatric patients; psychiatric care; treatment methods; psychosocial support; dialogue; mental health services

Free keywords: psychocentrism; psychiatrization; professionalism; need-adapted; dialogical; medicalization; psychologization; sanism

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1