History of Treatment of Psychological disorders

TREPHINATION:
As one of the earliest forms of mental health treatment, trephination removed a small part of the
skull using an auger, bore or saw. Dated from around 7,000 years ago, this practice was likely
used to relieve headaches, mental illness or even the belief of demonic possession. Not much is
known about the practice due to lack of evidence.

BLOODLETTING AND PURGING:

Though this treatment gained prominence in the Western world beginning in the 1600s, it has its
roots in ancient Greek medicine. Claudius Galen believed that disease and illness stemmed from
imbalanced humors in the body. English physician Thomas Willis used Galen’s writings as a
basis for this approach to treating mentally ill patients. He argued that “an internal biochemical
relationship was behind mental disorders. Bleeding, purging, and even vomiting were thought to
help correct those imbalances and help heal physical and mental illness,” according to Everyday
Health. These tactics were used to treat more than mental illness, however: Countless diseases
like diabetes, asthma, cancer, cholera, smallpox and stroke were likely to be treated with
bloodletting using leeches or venesection during the same time period.

ISOLATION AND ASYLUMS:

Isolation was the preferred treatment for mental illness beginning in medieval times, so it’s no
surprise that insane asylums became widespread by the 17th century. These institutions were
“places where people with mental disorders could be placed, allegedly for treatment, but also
often to remove them from the view of their families and communities,” Everyday Health says.
Overcrowding and poor sanitation were serious issues in asylums, which led to movements to
improve care quality and awareness. At the time, the medical community often treated mental
illness with physical methods. This is why brutal tactics like ice water baths and restraint were
often used.

INSULIN COMA THERAPY:

This treatment was introduced in 1927 and was used for several decades until the 1960s. In
insulin coma therapy, physicians deliberately put the patient into a low blood sugar coma
because they believed large fluctuations in insulin levels could alter the function of the brain.
Insulin comas could last anywhere between one and four hours. Patients were given an insulin
injection that caused their blood sugar to fall and the brain to lose consciousness. Risks included
prolonged coma (in which the patient failed to respond to glucose), and the mortality rate varied
between 1 and 10 percent. Electroconvulsive therapy was later introduced as a safer alternative
to insulin coma therapy.
METRAZOL THERAPY:
In Metrazol therapy, physicians induced seizures using a stimulant medication. Seizures began
roughly a minute after the patient received the injection and could result in fractured bones, torn
muscles and other adverse effects. The therapy was usually administered several times a week.
Metrazol was withdrawn from use by the FDA in 1982. While this treatment was dangerous and
ineffective, seizure therapy was the precursor to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is still
used in some cases to treat severe depression, mania and catatonia.

LOBOTOMY:
This now-obsolete treatment won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1949. It was
designed to disrupt the circuits of the brain but came with serious risks. Popular during the 1940s
and 1950s, lobotomies were always controversial and prescribed in psychiatric cases deemed
severe. It consisted of surgically cutting or removing the connections between the prefrontal
cortex and frontal lobes of the brain. The procedure could be completed in five minutes. Some
patients experienced improvement of symptoms; however, this was often at the cost of
introducing other impairments. The procedure was largely discontinued after the mid-1950s with
the introduction of the first psychiatric medications.

Difference in the treatment of PAST & PRESENT:

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TODAY

As we learn more about the causes and pathology of various mental disorders, the mental health
community has developed effective, safe treatments in place of these dangerous, outdated
practices. Today, those experiencing mental disorders can benefit from psychotherapy along with
biomedical treatment and increased access to care. Treatments will continue to change along
with scientific and research developments, and as mental health professionals gain more insight.
If you are interested in the treatment of mental disorders and relevant topics in psychology like
those covered here, consider Concordia University, St. Paul’s online Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology. This program equips students with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in
the field of psychology.
Does our society give due importance to the proper treatment for
Psychological pathologies?
Ans:

Why People Don’t Seek Treatment

Stigma, defined as negative attitudes held by others, is a barrier to receiving treatment for mental
health disorders. Perceiving negative attributes such as believing individuals with mental health
problems are weak, incompetent, and cannot take care of themselves, are common forms of
stigma and may contribute to increases in harmful attitudes,” they wrote. “Negative views of
treatment and shame related to experiencing mental illness may preclude young adults from
seeking needed treatment.”
While the study focused on young individuals, the stigma does not. People of all ages suffer from
the effects of mental health stigmas, which can harm their willingness to seek treatment.
However, stigma is not the only reason people choose to abstain from seeking mental health
treatment. Other barriers to seeking treatment include access to mental health care,
inconvenience and the lack of a perceived need for treatment.
Why Seeking Treatment Is Important
First and foremost, getting your mental illness treated and managed will help to improve your
quality of life. Living with mental illness will always be a battle but getting the proper treatment
will make it much more manageable, allowing you to enjoy everything life has to offer without
your condition getting in the way.
In addition to improved mental health, seeking treatment can also lead to other benefits, as well.
Good mental health can also positively physical health by improving sleeping habits, the immune
system and lower pain levels. Having your mental health treated can also improve your
productivity, allowing you to focus on daily tasks and give you the motivation to get things done
in a timely manner.