I don't deny that mental illness is real. I can't. I don't think most of us could honestly do that because we experience it... even though we may have or doubts in times of stability.

I have, however, had my a doubts about psychiatry. Google the accepted definition of a delusion and read the parentheses. The fact that psychiatry allows societal norms as opposed to harder science to dictate what is and is not considered psychotic is one reason why I have my occasional doubts. Though I suppose that is more of an issue with the research psychiatrists who define these things than with regular doctors we see on a regular basis. I do think that your average run if the mill psychiatrist is actually interested in helping us, for the most part.

As for the anti-psychiatry stuff, I'm not surprised. There seems to be a sort of anti-intellectual virus spreading around parts of the western world these days, esp. here in the states. People are denying facts in favor of superstition. To these people, we're not sick... we're POSSESSED! We're lazy. Many of these people also have this idea that we're merely parasites, as you mentioned Szasz seemed to believe, still_crazy. I'd say that, if anything, this is the myth of mental illness. If psychiatric care and meds were easier to get and more thorough than a quick check in, maybe we'd be making more contributions to society and enjoying our lives more. Alas, these services are hard to find for a lot of people, and the powers that be show no signs of making it any easier. Harder, maybe, but easier, no.

That's about all I'm gonna say for now. I certainly have some opinions on psychiatry as a weapon on the state and all that, but I'm short on time right now.