Sarah Chaney, Psyche on the Skin

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Summary

Historiographical work on the impact of political, socioeconomic situations and dominating psychological theories on changing conceptualizations of different behaviours and diagnoses associated with physical self-harm. The focus on a specific physical expression of psychological distress allows for an analysis of the development of medical mental health provisions and understandings of mental health. Specifically, it sheds light on the development of patient-professional relations from the nineteenth century onwards.

Sources used by author

Medical records of self-harm as well as patients’ accounts that had been admitted into asylum care (19th century), hospitals or reached out to specific mental health services (20th century).

Methodology

Takes gender as a lens into the historical development of patient-professional relations. Also focuses on changing conceptions of a specific mental health "disorder" (self-harm) as either a symptom or a pathology in itself.

Historiographical Context

Acts as a point of intersection between gender history and the history of emotions and history of the body. It unpacks the concept of medicine and psychology as gendered fields. Builds on work published in her article "Self-control, Selfishness and Mutilation: How ‘Medical’ is Self-Injury Anyway?".

Publication details

Chaney, S., 2017. Psyche on the skin : a history of self-harm, London.

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