Background- Historical Views of Mental Illness

Question 1

What is the supernatural explanation of mental illness?

Answer 1

• Witchcraft, religion, demonic possession

Question 2

What were the treatments available for the supernatural explanation?

Answer 2

• Prayers
• Immersing in holy water
• Exorcisms
• Stretching and starving

Question 3

What was the Greek culture- humoral theory of mental illness?

Answer 3

Imbalance of the four essential bodily fluids

Question 4

Name an example of an imbalance of one of the humors which led to mental illness

Answer 4

Too much black bile led to sadness

Question 5

What were the treatments available during the humoral theory period?

Answer 5

-Purge patient using Laxatives
- Bloodletting
- Changes to lifestyle

Question 6

What was the psychogenic approach to mental illness?

Answer 6

Focus on the psychological factors of mental illness.
Freud suggests it’s the result of unconscious processes

Question 7

What was the treatment available for mental illness during the time of the psychogenic approach?

Answer 7

Psychoanalysis- accessing unconscious thoughts through free association (talking about thoughts as soon as they enter the mind)

Question 8

What was the somatogenic approach towards mental illness?

Answer 8

• Physical focus
• Abnormal brain structure , abnormal levels of neurotransmitters
• Medical model

Question 9

What treatments were available for mental illness during the view of somatogenic approach?

Answer 9

Physical treatments
Electroconvulsive therapy
Psychopharmacology
Lobotomy