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RE: Psychology Addict # 60 | A Journey Through The History of Madness.

in #psychology5 years ago

Somehow, everything comes by four in the ancient times. First the elements and now the humour fluids. I smiled when I read about it. But stopped smiling right after that (cf. fluid removal :/ ).

I am actually quite surprised that the DSM was so recent. Mental disorders were observed for so long that it sounds weird that no one ever thought about documenting them in the first place before the 20th century. But as you said, this was a lengthy (and rocky) journey…

Even if disorders are categorised for almost 70 years, can we really treat those patients? I mean, I associated the disorder with something wrong at the level of the brain. Therefore, there should not be really any cure, shouldn’t it?

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Good observation @lemouth :)

Mental disorders were observed for so long that it sounds weird that no one ever thought about documenting them in the first place before the 20th century.
This is mostly because psychological disorders were all lumped together and explained as a result of "an over-active brain". This is why treatments like bloodletting, waterboarding and more recently ICT and ECT were developed in order to "slow down" brain activities (through inducing patients into a coma). Nevertheless, diagnostic classifications were already taking place in Germany in the late 1800's (I don't remember which year exactly). Emil Kraepelin was in charge of that. He was the first to come forward and suggest that mental distress are of distinct prognosis and consequently are manifested differently from patient to patient.

Thank you for asking the following questions @lemouth.

can we really treat those patients? * Therefore, there should not be really any cure, shouldn’t it?
Yes. With the exception of psychopathy (which can still be addressed via therapy). Both psychological and psychiatric conditions can be treated. The more severe ones (e.g. the psychoses and bipolar disorder) can be treated with psychotropic medication and therapy. You can think of someone who lives with such conditions as person, for example, who lives with a heart condition and needs to be very diligent with their meds and healthy routine in order to function well in life.

As for the less severe ones (mild depression and specific fears) not only can they be treated, but also completely cured through therapy only. There is a huge body of evidence demonstrating the efficiency of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in both bringing these disorders (and a few others) to a halt, and preventing relapses.

Thank you for stopping by once again & taking the time to meaningfully interact with my work here! I appreciate it very much.

Happy weekend for you & the family 😊

Thanks a lot for this long and detailed answer! And please pardon me for my stupid and naive questions (but this is not my field for my defense ;) )

I hope you had a nice week-end. We were in Brussels for a couple of days!

Please don't apologize for anything @lemouth. It's very important that this sort of clarification gets out there. Your questions have contributed to this :)

Brussels! Nice :D The last time I went there was just over 10 years ago. Time flies! We did have a very nice,relaxing weekend. Thank you <3

Time flies... that is one of the only certainties we have... ;)

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