Discourse analysis and 'mental health'

This paper briefly reviews discourse analytic work of clinical relevance (eg. on psychotherapy, professional talk and diagnosis) and illustrates the use of one kind of discourse analysis within a social constructionist theoretical framework and a practical deconstructionist political stance by providing an analysis of excerpts from interviews with a professional and a user of mental health services relating to the issue of psychiatric diagnosis. It is argued that such methods and theories lead to the reconceptualisation of clinical 'problems' and a deconstructive and discursive framework is briefly proposed as an alternative to traditional conceptions. The implications of this for the practical organisation and delivery of services are considered.