History of Mental Illness Treatment in U.S.

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term “mentally ill?”

17th Century People with mental illnesses were compared to animals It was thought they could not reason “barely human”

17th c cont’d “treatment” consisted of torture Doctors thought they could “tame” mentally ill people Examples: whipping, starving, bleeding…

Reform efforts in 18th Century In U.S. Quakers began reform No cure Alternative: make life better Examples: calm environment, no doctors, no physical violence

Reaction to Quakers Doctors felt threatened esp because Quakers did have success Next wave in 18th C--explosion psychiatric hospitals From 18 in 1840 to 139 in 1880 Diverse groups (alcoholics, homosexuals, people w/ STDs) all lumped together

1900-1950 “The Darkest Period” Mentally ill were seen as burden on society Eugenics movement led to: Forced commitments to state mental institutions Laws prohibiting the mentally from: Marrying Having children (forcibly sterilized)

Treatment in the early 20th century Insulin coma Metrozol Convulsive (induced seizures) Electroshock Lobotomy (frontal lobes are where higher order processing occurs) Discovered b/c of Phinneas Gage

Reforms after WWII Conscientious Objector service in hospitals Raised awareness Hard to forcibly commit More oversight of hospitals

DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) 1st DSM published in 1952 Seeks to distinguish different mental disorders Most recent DSM IV published in 1994

The State of Mental Health Today Advances in care due: New drugs with fewer side effects More knowledge about science of mental illness Access to care & stigma remain problems