Political abuse of psychiatry.

Punitive psychiatry and political abuses within the field of mental health are deeply concerning issues that have been prevalent in repressive and totalitarian regimes throughout history. Such abuses often involve misusing psychiatric diagnoses and treatments to control individuals, including those who dissent or live peacefully according to their own beliefs and identities. The victims of these abuses extend to not only the patients but also the professionals who may be compelled to comply with orders that harm their patients. These practices may target specific groups, including religious minorities, ethnic communities, or marginalized populations. Instead of only individuals advocating for human rights, these targeted collectives may simply be living their lives peacefully and seeking to express their identities without facing repressive measures.

An infamous example of punitive psychiatry is the historical medicalization of homosexuality, where same-sex attraction was classified as a mental disorder. This led to the pathologization of LGBTQ+ individuals and subjected them to involuntary psychiatric treatments, like conversion therapy, perpetuating discrimination and marginalization. Similarly, religious minorities and indigenous communities who challenged the mainstream or advocated for their rights were falsely diagnosed with "religious mania" or "delusions of grandeur." This served to stigmatize and marginalize them, leading to confinement in psychiatric facilities or re-education camps, branding their beliefs as "deviant" or "dangerous."

Apart from targeting homosexuality, religious minorities, and ethnic communities, even low-level dissent faces punitive psychiatric practices. Women who challenge traditional gender roles and strive for equality have historically been accused of mental instability or "hysteria," silencing their voices and marginalizing their efforts. Dissident groups, advocating for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, are also subjected to psychiatric labeling to suppress their opposition and dissent, discrediting their calls for social justice and cultural preservation.