Origin Of Psychiatry

Abstract

Discusses the historical, political, economic, and cultural origins of psychiatry. The author distinguishes between the origins of the medical and psychiatric professions, noting that medicine began with persons seeking relief from pain, while psychiatry began with persons seeking relief from the socially unacceptable behavior of their relatives, who were unwilling patients. The author argues that psychiatry was based on coercion and had nothing to do with healing. Madhouses are described as English inventions that were convenient to wealthy families and profitable to madhouse keepers. The role of clergy as madhouse keepers is addressed, highlighting the Western tradition of interpreting insanity in religious terms. Other topics discussed include critics of "madhousing" and "madhousing" as depicted in English literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)...