Historical Context Flashcards
How was mental health historically viewed?
through a stigmatised lens
What was the consequence of social stigma surrounding mental health?
ineffective treatment
What are the key time periods?
1- Prehistoric
2- Ancient
3- Middle Ages
4- Modern (17th - 20th century)
What was the prehistoric belief about what caused mental health disturbances?
possession via an evil spirit
Who typically treated mental illness in the prehistoric era?
local town ‘doctors’
What were some treatments in the prehistoric era?
trepanation (drilling a hole into the skull)
What was the Ancient belief surrounding the causes of mental disturbances?
imbalanced 4 humours
What are the 4 humours?
- blood
- phlegm
- black bile
- yellow bile
What is an example of a correlation drawn by Ancients about the 4 humours and mental disturbances?
increased levels of black bile cause depression / melancholy
Who typically treated mental disturbances in the Ancient period?
monasteries and apothecaries for natural remedies
What are some examples of treatments in the Ancient period?
- urine testing
- blood letting
What was believed in the Middle Ages as the cause for mental disturbances?
possession by demons
Who typically treated mental disturbances during the middle ages?
priests
What was the treatment of mental disturbances in the Middle Ages?
exorcisms
What were the believed causes of mental disturbances in the Modern era (20th century)?
social tensions e.g., disliking a family member, practicing a different religion
NO CLEAR CAUSE
Why did there not have to be a clear cause of mental disturbance in the 20th century?
those who were deemed mentally ill were just sent to psychiatric hospitals with no proper treatment and were just confined from wider society
What was the term that describes the ‘cause’ for mental health issues in the 20th century?
neurosis of the mind
Who treated patients during the 20th century?
- doctors / nurses
- psychiatrists
What are some examples of treatment in the 20th century?
- psychiatric hospitals
- electro shock therapy
- ECTs
- malarial treatment
- lobotomy’s
What are the three branches of neurosis of the mind - how did 20th century explanations evolve?
1- Asylums = no treatment just imprisonment
2- Terrible Treatments
3- Hospital Treatments
Which of the historical explanations can be considered scientific?
- 4 humours (slightly)
- neurosis of the mind (all 3 except asylums)
Which of the historical explanations can be considered reductionist?
ALL
Which scientific explanation is the least reductionist?
4 humours
Which of the historical explanations can be considered deterministic?
All explanations
Why can it be argued that historical explanations are NOT deterministic?
if a treatment is offered it suggests it can be changed and is not fixed
Which historical explanations offer no treatment and therefore are the MOST determinstic?
- witchcraft
- asylums
Which historical explanations are ethical?
- demons & exorcisms
- 4 humours & bloodletting (ONLY if leeches)
- neurosis of the mind & hospital treatments
Which historical explanations are valid?
neurosis of the mind & hospital treatments
Which historical treatments are reliable?
NONE
Which historical treatment is the MOST reliable?
Neurosis of the mind & hospital treatments - because it also has validity
What are the best comparison points across historical periods (similarities and differences)?
Similarities
- reductionism
- unethical
Differences
- scientific
- validity
