Thomas Szasz claimed that the labels used to describe mental disorders reflected ways of controlling individuals suffering problems in living.

Thomas Szasz argued that mental disorders were not objectively determined medical conditions, but rather societal constructs used to control and regulate individuals who were perceived as deviant or problematic. He believed that the diagnostic labels used to describe mental disorders were often arbitrary and had little scientific basis, and that the real issue was how society responded to those who exhibited behavioral or emotional difficulties.