I have been reading works of feminist psychologists such as Jess Taylor and critical works of people such as Joanna moncrieff.
the argument is:
- Trauma responses to abuse are normal, rational, and proportionate to what someone has experienced.
- What is often labelled as “mental illness” can actually be understandable reactions to violence and oppression.
- The mental health system has a history of pathologising women’s responses, especially after abuse, instead of addressing the trauma itself.
- This can become a form of victim blaming, where women are judged for their reactions (e.g. being “too emotional,” “unstable,” or “making bad choices”).
- These patterns are shaped by broader systems like patriarchy and racism, which influence how people are diagnosed and treated.
- Common narratives shift responsibility away from perpetrators and subtly place it on victims (e.g. questioning behaviour, choices, or credibility).
- Widespread rape myths reinforce this—such as believing it’s not “real” rape without physical resistance or injuries, or that men “didn’t mean to.”
- theyre given drugs which don’t actually have good success rates (see moncrieff)
I see this countless times working with women and child victims.
Have you experienced this to?