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The Debate of Diagnosis in "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"

In Joanne Greensberg’s "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden", the protagonist, who is based on Greensberg, is diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, in a 1981 New York Times article, two psychiatrists challenge this diagnosis using the diagnosis criteria in the DSM-3. Using the DSM-5’s diagnosis criteria, can it be argued that the protagonist suffers from schizophrenia?

  • I love Joanne Greenberg's work. I am so unqualified to write this topic but my fingers are crossed someone is ready to get their hands dirty in research. This has the potential to be a major analysis which could bring up other literature characters and the way mental illness is represented. However, if you were hoping to solely focus on Greenberg's novel, I think who writes this topic should include the film adaptation and speak on how it helps or hurts the diagnosis. – Emily 6 years ago
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  • I think the first point of research would be comparing the DSM-3 and DSM 5's diagnosis criteria for schizophrenia to the criteria used when Greenberg's protagonist was institutionalized in the late 1940's. – EvelynBlack1994 6 years ago
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