Galenskapsstudier

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to introduce Mad Studies as a theoretical field for Swedish gender studies. The text aims to provide a historical and activist background to Mad Studies, introduce Mad Studies as a theoretical field, and position it in relation to gender studies. Furthermore, the article seeks to discuss the translation of Mad Studies into “galenskapsstudier” and examine what consequences a translation might have. The aim is also to discuss the term mentalism and provide a Swedish definition for it. The article also examines the terms consumer/ex-patient/psychiatric survivor, and discusses Swedish corresponding words. The text is theorydriven and does not aim to analyze a given material, but seeks to discuss and introduce Mad Studies to a Swedish audience.