The Development of Mental Health Institutions: Then and Now

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Let us unravel what’s behind the walls of mental health institutions, comparing then and now.

The state of mental health institutions before is known to be a nightmare compared to today. In the past, people have suffered inside the walls of asylums, and recovery for them was a blur sight. Unfortunately, what you see in horror movies can possibly be an accurate depiction of the experiences of the people with mental illness inside these vile asylums. In this nightmare, there was no way out for them, and they were stripped of their rights—even murdered.

Patricia Lubeck is a passionate author dedicated to uncovering the true crime, murder, and mystery stories hidden in the annals of early Minnesota history. She spends most of her time poring over historical records and conducting extensive research to bring these thrilling tales to life in her books. Her works are a testament to her tireless dedication to shining a light on the darker corners of the past and preserving the stories of those who have been forgotten.

Asylum Scandals by Patricia Lubeck delves into the disturbing history of insane asylums. The book provides insights into the daily life within these institutions from 1867 to 1915. However, this story only scratches the surface of the atrocities that took place, as there are many more secrets yet to be uncovered.

The Chilling Past: What Was It Like Before?

In the early 20th century, individuals with severe mental health symptoms were placed in large institutions known as asylums for an indefinite amount of time.

Insane asylums were notorious for their cruel and disturbing treatments, including restraints, isolation, hydrotherapy sprays, electric shock treatments, ice baths, forced drugging, lobotomies, and other tortuous procedures.

During the early twentieth century, these cruel and inhumane practices played a significant role in the downfall of American psychiatric institutions. However, these treatments often caused severe physical and psychological harm to patients, leading to public outrage and calls for reform. As a result, the mental health industry underwent significant changes in the latter half of the century, moving towards a more humane and evidence-based approach to treatment.

The Surprising Present: What Is It Like Now?

As the century progressed, there were significant developments in the field of mental health that led to a shift in how patients were treated. New approaches focused on compassion, understanding, and therapy rather than punishment and confinement. These changes marked a turning point in the history of mental health care.

As societal awareness regarding mental health concerns grows, the provision of service and care for people dealing with mental disorders is progressively becoming more comprehensive and practical.

In the present, individuals are finally experiencing the proper mental health care and treatment they deserve. There are drastic changes that are finally positive. Mental health professionals and institutions continue to thrive for the betterment of everyone. The nightmares of yesterday have gradually diminished, and the dreams of today have steadily become a reality.

The Bottom Line: The Unnerving End

Now that this spine-tingling ride has come to an end, can we assure that history doesn’t repeat itself? 

That concernment lies as a conundrum as the future ahead of us is unknown. But as concerned citizens, we hope to never go back to the vile horrors of insane asylums filled with abuse, torture, corruption, and murder. As we finally discern the positive change and progress of institutions in the present, we can’t help but feel a sense of hope. 

The humane vision of morality and good intention has continued to prosper in mental health care nowadays, and we can do so much better to fulfill our desired result for the people struggling with mental health disorders.

From our comparison between mental health institutions then and now, we can conclude that we’ve learned a lot from our past. Gradually, we are waking up from the horrific nightmare and catching a glimpse of the light—a better system for mental health treatment and care.

If you find this madness a riveting deep dive, we highly encourage you to read the book Asylum Scandals by Patricia Lubeck. This book is sure to tingle your spine and give you shivers. Prepare yourself for an insane rollercoaster ride, unraveling mysteries along the way. What are you waiting for?