the grade only

the grade only

3

The History of Psychiatric Institutions

The History of Psychiatric Institutions

I. Introduction

a. Understanding the origination of psychiatric institutions helps us to better see how the attitudes, services, and treatment of the mentally ill have changed over time.

b. Through this understanding, we can shape and change treatment of the mentally ill

II. 18th Century

a. Introduction: Zeitgeist (Geller, 2006)

i. Conceptions of madness as originating in sin or satanic possession

dominant prior to18th century

ii. Enlightenment strongly shaped culture of 18th century

iii. Faith in reason, humanism, democracy, science-hallmarks of 18th century

iv. Reshaped conception and treatment of madness

v. England as dominant model for social and political institutions

vi. Extended to practices concerning mental illness

b. Views of madness in 18th Century (Geller, 2006)

i. Mad seen as animals

ii. Creativity and madness linked

iii. Conception of disease as violation of natural law

III. 21st Century

a. Post-Deinstitutionalization: Today’s view of deinstitutionalization (begun in the 1950s

(Hamelin, 2011)

b. Long-term consequences of deinstitutionalization are still relatively unknown

and will emerge throughout the 21st century (White & Whiteford, 2006)

c. Prisons used as modernized asylums (White & Whiteford, 2006)

d. Proposed solutions to problem and implications for the future (White & Whiteford,

2006)

i. Effects of advancements in technology

ii. Programs designed to reintegrate prisoners with mental health issues

into society and decrease recidivism

iii. Effects of return to community-style approach to treating mental illness

e. Recent increase in mental health awareness (White & Whiteford, 2006)

IV. Conclusion

a. Research on the history of psychiatric institutions and improvement in the

treatment of the mentally ill ongoing

b. The zeitgeist of the era has a significant effect on society’s

stance on policy regarding mental illness and psychiatric institutions.

References

Geller, J. L. (2006). A history of private psychiatric hospitals in the USA: From start to almost finished. Psychiatric Quarterly, 77 (1), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-006-7959-5

Hamelin, J. (2011). Meta-analysis of deinstitutionalization adaptive behavior outcomes:

Research and clinical implications. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability,

36 (1), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2010.544034

White, P., & Whiteford, H. (2006). Prisons: Mental health institutions of the 21st century? Medical Journal of Australia, 185 (6), 302-303. https://doi.org/10.5694/J.1326-5377.2006.TB00581.X