Concepts of MI

Question 1

Madness is caused by the gods; can be recognized by specific systems, mentally ill should not be killed, families/communities provided care; could be good or bad possession by spirits (good = prophetic, mystic, erotic)

Answer 1

Poetic-Religious Model of MI

Question 2

Rejected the supernatural for the most part; thought there were two illnesses to the soul-body, and that illness was due to clouded consciousness/altered reason; catharsis is the cure for pent up emotions

Answer 2

Philosophical Model of MI

Question 3

Rejected the supernatural; looked for a unitary hypothesis to explain everything; theory drove medicine rather than empirical observation

Answer 3

Medical Model of MI

Question 4

Liver as the natural spirit, heart as the vital spirit, brain as the psychical spirit; earth = dry, air = cold, fire = warm, water = moist
Diseases of the soul require physical tx
Contraries 
Rectify the passions
Use the passions to restore balance

Answer 4

Galen’s pneumatic theory

Question 5

Melancholia as the result of temporary imbalances in the humors (excess of black bile)

Answer 5

Hippocrates’ view of melancholia

Question 6

Melancholy as the disease of heroes

Answer 6

Poetic tradition’s view of melancholy (later in 5th century)

Question 7

Melancholy as pathological

Answer 7

Plato’s Phaedrus (view of melancholy)

Question 8

Melancholy as a disposition, linked to creative frenzy

Answer 8

Aristotelian view of melancholy

Question 9

Thought that the wise man could not become mad (due to the power of reason), but he can be overcome by melancholy

Answer 9

Stoic view of melancholy

Question 10

Melancholy as a sin, Christians should rejoice in their salvation

Answer 10

Church position on melancholy