Scientia Sexualis and Gender Bias in the History of Psychiatry

Phyllis Chesler’s (2018) book Women and Madness, originally published in 1972, marks a pivotal moment in the discussion of gender bias in psychiatry. This paper examines how psychiatry has historically pathologized women’s behavior through a gender-biased lens, perpetuating power dynamics and societal norms. By analyzing both historical and contemporary texts, including works by Foucault and Krafft-Ebing, this study highlights the persistent gender bias in psychiatric diagnoses and treatments. The paper argues for the necessity of adopting a gender perspective in psychiatric practice to mitigate these biases.