ABSTRACT
This chapter gives a brief introductory overview of the theory before showing how it can be applied to mental health and how it challenges a narrow biomedical model. Symbolic interactionism therefore helps us to understand human experience as dynamic – constantly flowing and changing, as interactions multiply and new layers of symbolism are added. One of the particular themes associated with symbolic interactionism as a theoretical perspective is a focus on the significance of social deviance. An important aspect of deviance is the distinction between primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is the difference in conduct before its social recognition and labelling. Secondary deviance is the social response to that deviance and its consequences, once a person becomes a case of “schizophrenia” or “Tourette’s.” Labeling is an important part of symbolic interactionism as well as a central part of the psychiatric approach to mental health.
