Psychopathology

Challenges

objectivity, preconceived notions, and stigma

Mental disorder

1.) distress (pain/suffering)

2.) deviance (causes problems)

3.) dysfunction (failure one of internal mechanisms)

4.) dangerous (harmful to self or others)

Thomas Szasz (1920-2012)

psychiatrist, said mental illness was made up, and cited drapetomania (run away slaves); drugs is not treatment and labeling child as ill is stigmatization not diagnosis

Early demonology

Was thought illness that was due to possession (exorcism)

Hippocrates (5th century)

Separated magic from science; mental disturbance have a natural cause

Dark ages (2nd century)

Monks cared and prayed for the mentally ill

13th century

Witches got torture; likely mentally ill

Lunacy trials

Attributed insanity to misalliament of moon and stars

Asylums (15th century)

Establishments for the mentally ill (care/confinement)

Moral treatment

Private funded humanitarian mental hospitals (Friends Asylum; engaging in purposeful and calming activities)

Dorothea Dix

Crusader for mentally ill, wanted to reform prisons and have more hospitals

Biological approach

General paresis and syphilis (degenerative disorder that helped generate idea of biological causes of mental illness)

Galton

Identical twin studies (mental illness can be inherited); eugenics (sterilization)

Treatments

1.) Insulin coma theory (for schizophrenia)

2.) electroconvulsive therapy (induces seizures)

3.) Lobotomy (control violent behavior) - Rosemary Kennedy

Mesmer

Early practitioner of hypnotism