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MENTAL HEALTH
The Horrifying History of Treating the Mentally Ill
Your antidepressant might not be so bad after all
“I think that it is likely that in each generation, new views of the causes and mechanisms of psychiatric illnesses will emerge, and these ideas will lead to the testing of new treatments.” — John H. Krystal, MD, chairman of psychiatry and professor of neurobiology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven
We have come a long way in helping the mentally ill and now rely on a wide range of potential treatments to relieve the suffering of patients. This might primarily include psychotherapy and psychiatric medication but also social intervention, self-help, and lifestyle changes. If patients are at risk of harming themselves or others the absolute last resort is involuntary treatment or detention.
However, when we examine the treatments that used to be performed on the mentally ill throughout history we find abounding evidence of inhumane treatment of those vulnerable and helpless patients.
Trephination
