by Susanna Kaysen
a parallel universe in the sixties
Group 4: The History of Mental Illness: Psychoanalysis, Symptoms and Syndromes
The definition and perception of mental illness has changed throughout history. Your group's assignment is to research the history of mental illness and prepare a panel discussion describing the various symptoms and syndromes that have been attributed to mental illness. Topics you should explore:
Ancient and Medieval Perceptions of Mental Illness
Mental Illness Before Psychoanalysis
Neurosis and Psychosis in Sigmund Freud's Time
Mental Illness in Twentieth Century (Borderline Personality Disorder, Multiple Personality Disorder, False Memory Syndrome, Bipolar Illness, Schizophrenia)
Group 5: The History of Mental Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment
Along with the changes in perception and definition of mental illness throughout history have come changes in the ways mental illness is diagnosed and treated. One reviewer has noted that someone with Susanna's symptoms would today be given "60 days in-patient [treatment] and a psychotropic magic bullet. In 25 years, the cultural metaphor...has changed from incarceration to neglect." Is "neglect" preferable to "incarceration"? How do you think Kaysen might answer such a question? How has mental illness been diagnosed and treated from ancient times to present? Your group's assignment is to prepare a panel discussion that provides an overview of the history of the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
- History and Perceptions of Mental Illness (a Timeline)...in chart form
- The Mystery of Mental Illness...another timeline and brief overview...click on links within the text for more details on a specific item
- History of Mental Illness...lecture notes on the history of mental illness...very brief but organized
- From Pharaoh to Freud...history and treatment of mental illness
- Perceptions of Insanity in Medieval England...article about how mental illness was perceived and treated during the Middle Ages in England
- Early Psychoanalysts Primer...overview of the pioneers psychoanalysis: Franz Otto Mesmer, Dr. Phillipe Pinel, Jean Martin Charcot, Hippolyte Bernheim, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Sandor Ferenczi, Carl Jung, Otto Rank and Ernest Jones
top - Early Psychoanalysts Primer...overview of the pioneers psychoanalysis: Franz Otto Mesmer, Dr. Phillipe Pinel, Jean Martin Charcot, Hippolyte Bernheim, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Sandor Ferenczi, Carl Jung, Otto Rank and Ernest Jones
- Sigmund Freud...comprehensive article on the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy...contains excellent links to detailed information as well as links to other internet resources
- Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud...basic information about Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis
- Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud II...another point of view on psychoanalysis and mental illness from the Skeptics Dictionary...investigate as a counterpoint/enhancement to the previous articles...contains infromative links worth exploring
- Conflict & Culture...a very good historical Freud site that has more detailed information and pictures...follow links on home page...recommended for your research
- Freud on Spark Notes ...still more basic information
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- Facts About Psychological Disorders...an A-to-Z list of psychological disorders and mental health problems... facts and Q&As provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
- Disorder Categories at Mental-Health-Matters.com...a list of disorder categories that contains links to pages with detailed information on the specific disorders within each category...follow additional for even more specific information...a good place to look!
- Open Directory: Health: Mental Health: Disorders .. links to sites about various disorders...a great deal of information waiting for the zealous researcher
- Symptoms and Treatments of Mental Disorders...site compiled dy Dr. John Grohol...categorizes information links by adult, childhood and personality disorders
- Schizophrenia.com...an informative support and education site
- Borderline Personality Disorder...Susanna Kaysen's diagnosis
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- Kill or Cure...a brief history of the treatment of mental illness
- Medical Procedures in the 1930's to 1950's...includes brief descriptions of lobotomy and electroshock therapy
- Electroshock Therapy Introduced...brief overview of the history of electroshock therapy
- A Few Thoughts on Electroshock Therapy...an impassioned critique of the treatment, with film clips and citations of articles reporting on its adverse side-effects
- Psychiatric Technique Gets Shocking Boost from Media...about the "comeback" of electroshock therapy
- The History of Lobotomy...from Brain & Mind electronic magazine on neuroscience..has pictures
- A Short History of Lobotomy...history of the early development of the lobotomy
- Asylums and Care for the Insane...article on the history of hospitalization of the mentally ill
- Open Directory: Arts: Architecture: History: Building Types: Hospitals and Asylums ...links to sites about historical mental institutions and insane asylums...a lot of written and visual information here to be discovered by the dogged researcher!
- Overview of Mental Health in New York and the Nation...from the Colonial Period to present
- The Ridges...history of the Athens Lunatic Asylum in Athens, Ohio...follow the many links provided in this fascinating and information site...contains photographs
- Psychotherapy Treatment at Mental-Health-Matters.com...a chart with short descriptions of various kinds of contemporary treaments...links to more detailed descriptions
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