MENTAL ILLNESS: A HISTORY OF BIGOTRY AND PREJUDICE

(SEE POST:  PROBLEMS PLAGUING THE PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH)

WOMEN'S TREATMENT FOR HYSTERIA

I believe in many cases, people who were labeled as "crazy" or "lunatics" were people who were unique, non-conformists, and outside the "bell curve".  They were just deviant enough for reasons of class, gender, or education to be labeled "disturbed."

Women. especially, suffered greatly over the last centuries because of laws allowing a husband, with the verification of a medical doctor, to put them into asylums (that were places of horror, torture, and neglect).  Just imagine the reasons husbands could use to justify getting rid of their wives!  Inheritances come to mind first...and a myriad of other evil reasons.

A CURRENT MEN'S ASYLUM IN PARAGUAY

The history of psychology is a history of bigotry and prejudice!  Unfortunately, despite the advances in the mental health field, that stigma still holds true today! 

Why should mental illness be considered any less serious, worthy of attention, validation, and treatment?  Why should the mentally ill be looked down upon and be a source of fear, more than someone suffering from a physical illness?

 

WOMEN'S ASYLUM, Painting by Pinel
 

We like to think that there is no more cruelty in the treatment for the "insane."  However, I have anecdotal evidence of horrible treatment at a state mental hospital right here in the US.