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Today, we’re breaking down mental illness: what it is, where it comes from, and how it became defined by psychiatry, diagnosis, and the modern mental health industry.
This video essay explores the history of mental illness, the history of psychiatry in America, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), therapy culture, medication, and how “madness” has been shaped by colonialism, racism, sexism, capitalism, and eugenics.
In 2026, more people than ever are being diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. Therapy and psychiatric medication are more accessible than ever, yet many of us still feel broken, unstable, paranoid, exhausted, or “crazy.” So what if the problem isn’t just our brains?
This episode examines how mental illness became medicalized, institutionalized, racialized, gendered, and monetized, and why suffering is often treated as a personal defect rather than a rational response to an increasingly unstable world. We look at the rise of therapy culture and TherapyTok, BetterHelp and online therapy platforms, the American Psychiatric Association, Big Pharma, the chemical imbalance theory, and the political weaponization of “mental health” by both the left and the right.
We also explore lived experience with diagnosis, including bipolar II disorder, PTSD, depression, medication, rehab, and long-term therapy, and what happens when you start questioning whether your diagnosis explains you… or disciplines you.
Topics covered in this video essay include:
mental illness explainedhistory of psychiatryDSM and psychiatric diagnosistherapy culture & TherapyTokBetterHelp and online therapyBig Pharma and psychiatric medicationbipolar disorder & hypersexualityPTSD & traumathe Enlightenment concept of Reason (logos vs eros)How to Go Mad Without Losing Your Mind by La Marr Jurelle BruceDrapetomania and scientific racismeugenics in the United Statesforced sterilization in Californiaasylums, lobotomies, and electroshock therapyWomen and Madness by Phyllis Cheslerpsychiatric imperialism & neurosexismracialization of schizophreniaW.E.B. Du Bois and double consciousnessneuroleptics and antipsychoticsGen Z mental health statisticscapitalism, burnout, paranoia, and social collapsepsychosis vs spiritual awakeningDave Chappelle’s mental breakdown“snaps and clicks” theorymadness as political identity
If you’re searching for:
mental illness explainedhistory of psychiatrytherapy culture critiquebipolar disorder explainedDSM explainedpsychiatric diagnosisBig Pharma and mental healthmedication vs therapygen z mental healthis mental illness biological or social
this episode provides the historical, political, and philosophical context behind modern mental health.
Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bzB3ikEsOgkDz01G4EN4yCRzZdariwe91bqOEbJYbQk/edit?tab=t.0
#videoessay #mentalhealth #mentalillness #psychiatry #historyofpsychiatry #therapyculture #bipolar #ptsd #diagnosis #dsm #bigpharma #genz #capitalism #burnout #psychology #philosophy #culturalcritique #politicaltheory #therapy #medication #trauma #neurodivergent #madness #sanity #socialtheory #internetculture
Disclaimer: This video is for entertainment, journalistic, and educational purposes only. I do not own the rights to any clips, music, or images used. All third-party content is included strictly under fair use for purposes of commentary, criticism, analysis, and discussion.
Fiji (researcher, host, producer, editor)instagram: @s0wettwitter: @s0wettiktok: @fijithesirenyoutube: @fijithesiren
Jan 23 20261 h et 22 min