Rony Joe (1114337)

Rony Joe (1114337)

Early practices

The 16^th century saw the establishment of several institutions of a rather peculiar nature, asylums. Originally built as place to care for the mentally ill and the clinically insane, asylums eventually witnessed the death of many of its inmates owing to the inhumane nature of the procedures the patients were subjected to. The first of these institutions may be dated as far back as 1409 with the establishment of the Valencia Mental Hospital. However, very little is known about it.

In 1547 an old monastery was converted into what was called ‘Bedlam’, an asylum notorious for its practices, of displaying its inmates for money, making them beg, etc. Of course, similar stories are found across a range of early asylums. Treatments primarily consisted of electric shocks, powerful drugs, immersion into ice water. Etc. Held in extremely unhygienic conditions, they weren't allowed any visitors either. By the 18th century, there was a serious need for reform in mental hospitals both in Europe and in America.

Humanitarian reforms

In an experiment conducted by Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) he ordered the chains of the inmates to be removed. Dark rooms were replaced with brighter ones and abuse with peace. Of course, he ended up with happier roommates who were on a quicker path towards normalcy. What improved was not only the condition in which the inmates lived, but also the attitude of the public towards mental illnesses. Success of the humanitarian experiments revolutionized the treatment of mental patients throughout the western world. 

An important name in the humanitarian effort is that of William Tuke. He set up a house where mental patients lived and rested in a place called York retreat. He believed in treating all insanity with kindness. Kindness, they believed, would help the mentally ill people to recover. They went onto provide such services for 200 years. In 1841 Hitch introduced trained nurses.

Benjamin Rush, the first American to organize a course in psychiatry, whom some might call the founder of American psychiatry encouraged humane treatment of the mentally ill. He invented a device called "Tranquillizing Chair".

The theory of moral management was used to focus on a person’s social, individual and occupational needs. Moral management also emphasized on the patients moral and spiritual development. The non-usage of anti-psychotic drugs helped them achieve a high degree of effectiveness. However, moral management was later abandoned because of the rise of the mental hygiene movement that focused on the patient's physical well-being. Although the patients were better cared for, they received little or no help for their mental problems. Another cause was the advances made in biomedical science. This helped foster a notion that all mental disorders have biological explanations and may be biologically treated. They neglected the psychological and social environment of the patient.

20^th century

In The 20^th century Clifford beers and a few others influenced the rapid growth of mental asylums. Patients were hospitalized for many years treatment was not always humane. 1946 however, marked the beginning of an important period of change. From then on humane mental treatment was provided.

Between the 1950`s and 1960`s  the need for reforms in the psychiatric hospitals was most urgent. Many professionals were dedicated towards improving the condition in mental hospitals .The movement to change the environment of these hospitals was done by adopting scientific methods. The use of lithium in the treatment of manic depressive disorders is a good example.

The latter half of the 20^th century saw vigorous efforts being made to close down mental hospitals. It advocated that the psychiatrically ill must be with the community instead of being isolated .This came to be called “Deinstitutionalization.”  By the end of the 20^th century, inpatient mental care was replaced by community based care. From where we stand today, psychiatric care is likely to progress in the years to come.