In this provocative and influential work, Szasz critically examines the history and practice of involuntary mental hospitalization, arguing that psychiatric commitment often functions as a tool of social control rather than a form of medical treatment. As a leading figure in the anti-psychiatry movement, Szasz challenges the legitimacy of institutional psychiatry and questions the ethical foundations of diagnosing and confining individuals against their will. Building on the themes introduced in his earlier works, such as The Myth of Mental Illness, this book contributes to ongoing debates in psychology, law, and social policy concerning civil liberties, medical authority, and the nature of mental illness.