History of Mental Illness and Treatment
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History of Mental History of Mental Illness and Illness and Treatment Treatment
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History of Mental Illness and Treatment. Ancient Theories. Widespread belief in supernatural and magical forces as cause of mental illness Exorcism – removal of evil that resides in an individual, usually by counter-magic or prayer. Trephination Cutting a hole in the skull - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of History of Mental Illness and Treatment
History of Mental Illness and History of Mental Illness and TreatmentTreatment
Ancient TheoriesAncient Theories• Widespread belief in supernatural and
magical forces as cause of mental illness– Exorcism – removal of evil that resides in an
individual, usually by counter-magic or prayer.• Trephination
– Cutting a hole in the skullto remove pressure
– Evidence that peopleconsidered illness organic
Ancient GreeceAncient Greece• Hippocrates
– Looked to the brain as the explanation of our behavior• Egyptians had thought the heart was the core of mental life
– Studied epilepsy, depression, psychosis, irrational fears, and hysteria.
– Therapeutic techniques emphasized:• Rest, bathing, dieting
– Hippocratic Oath – taken by doctorswhen they graduate from medical school
Middle Ages Middle Ages Renaissance Renaissance• During a time dominated by the Catholic Church,
superstitious beliefs in devils and demons were very strong.– At the same time, Church charities often provided
care for the mentally ill.
• Idiot – inborn illness• Lunatic – mental disabilities
not from birth
Enlightenment (Age of Reason)Enlightenment (Age of Reason)• Reason and the scientific method finally
replaced superstition as primary way of understanding the world.– Anton Mesmer
• invention of hypnosis
Late 1700s – 1800sLate 1700s – 1800s• While research and treatment continued, society
placed an emphasis on removal of the mentally ill, which gave rise to insane asylums.
• Bedlam Hospital – after an investigation into the “madhouses of England,” Bedlam became the prototype of the injustices of mental hospitals.
RestraintsRestraints• “Straight Jacket”
RestraintsRestraints
Emerging TreatmentsEmerging Treatments
• Rocking Chair Therapy
Reform MovementReform Movement• Philippe Pinel – Moral Treatment
– Kind treatment– -minimum or restraint
• Benjamin Rush– Signer of the Declaration of Independence– Father of American Psychiatry
• Dorothea Dix– Civil War nurse, campaigned
against poor treatment of the mentally ill, especially restraints.
