Jincy Jose, 1114362

Abnormal behavior in ancient times 

TIME PERIOD:10000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.

 "During the 16th century, there are few writing about the early interest in the treatment of diseases and behaviour disorder. Two Egyptian papyri, talks about such information.For example,Edwin Smith papyrus contains details about treatment, while Ebers papyrus has details regarding medicine and circulatory system. They have given more information on incantations and magic for explaining and curing diseases". (Mineka, 2003)

Edwin Smith papyrus Ebers papyrus Prehistoric Times
"During this period paleolithic people saw no distinction between medicine, magic, and religion. Archaeologists have uncovered skulls with holes drilled in them dating back as far as 8,000 B.C.Researchers have determined that, for some, bone healed near these holes indicating that the procedure may have been surgical and that the person survived."(Eric Snitchler) "Many theories have been developed as a means to explain the purpose behind this surgery, called trephining. Some anthropologists theorize that the holes may have been drilled into the skull as a means of releasing “evil spirits” that were trapped inside the head causing abnormal behavior.Other anthropologists believe that trephining was used to treat medical problems (e.g., removal of a tumor).However, the true purpose for trephining during the Stone Age remains unknown. Trephining continues to be practiced today among certain African tribes for the relief of head wound" (Eric Snitchler)

Demonology, God and magic and psychology ????? 

               

"Often abnormal behaviour was attributed as the possession of demon or god. If the behaviour appeared to be good, then they would be considered to be possessed by a good spirit o god and were treated with respect.Most possession were considered to be of an angry god or an evil spirit. Hebrews considered possession has a punishment of god.
The primary type of treatment for demonic possession was Exorcism.Exorcism was the task of shamans or a person with healing power,later it was taken over by priests who were considered psychologists, physicians,magicians and holy people" (Mineka, 2003)

Ø Hippocrates’ Early Medical concepts

During this period there was considerable progress made in the understanding and treatment of mental disorders. The Greeks considered the human body sacred and there was restriction to studying the human anatomy or physiology. (Mineka, 2003)

Hippocrates is referred has the father of modern medicine, became famous during this period. He made substantial contributions to the field. He denied the deities and demons were the reason for development of illness and mental disorders. He said that mental disorders had some natural causes and they also needed treatment like other illness. He considered mental disorder were due to brain pathology. Heredity, predisposition and head injury were considered has the reasons for sensory and motor disorders. Mania, melancholia and phrenitis were the three categories and gave details regarding specific disorders. Dreams played a very important role according to Hippocrates. It helped him to understand a patient’s personality. He also believed in importance of environment and often removed his patients from his family. Hippocrates emphasis on diseases, clinical observation and brain pathology were a true revolution. Hippocrates, recommended marriage as the best remedy (Mineka, 2003)

Brian pathology was the cure to mental disorder

with the development and progress in the medical field we see that scinetics started to focus on the diseased body organs for the problems of physicial ailments. the researchers assumed that the mental disorder was an illness based on pathology of an organ in this case the brain. (Rohit, 2011)

Albrecht von Haller 

In the year 1757 Albrecht von Haller ,in his element of physiology, emphasized the importance of the brain in psychic functions and advocated postmortem dissection to study the brain of the insane. (Rohit, 2011)

Ø Early Philosophical conceptions of consciousness and mental discover

Plato, Greek philosopher, studied individuals who have committed criminal acts. He said that these people were in some obvious sense and cannot be considered responsible for their act. They shouldn't receive punishment for their crime unlike a normal mans crime. He said that these people in the community must be cared for. (Mineka, 2003)

Greek philosopher, Aristotle also has contributed to this field. His work on descriptions of consciousness is still considered very important. He rejected the question of whether mental disorder could be caused by psychological factors such as frustration and conflict. (Mineka, 2003)

Ø Later Greek and Roman thought

Greek and Roman physicians developed medical practices to a high level. The temples dedicated to Saturn were first rate sanatoriums. 

One of the most influential Greek physicians was Galen, Who practiced in Rome .although he elaborated on the Hippocratic tradition; he did not contribute much that was new to treatment or clinical descriptions of mental disorders. Rather, he contributed concerning the anatomy of the nervous system. Galen also took a scientific approach to the field, dividing the causes of psychological disorders into physical and mental categories. . (Rohit, 2011)

Roman medicine reflected the characteristic pragmatism of the Roman people. Roman physicians wanted to make their patients comfortable and used pleasant physical therapies such as warm bath and massage. They also followed the principle of contraries- contraries ( opposite by opposite) for eg, having their patients drink chilled while they were in a warm tub (Rohit, 2011)

Bibliography

• Eric Snitchler, K. H. (n.d.). History of Psychology. Retrieved july 16, 2013, from http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/History/mainsheet.htm
• Mineka, C. B. (2003). Abnormal psychology and modern life. Delhi: Pearson Education.
• Rohit. (2011). Everything About Psychology. Retrieved july 16, 2013, from bloggers: http://everythingaboutpsychology-rohitgurung.blogspot.in/2011/11/later-greek-and-roman-thought.html