Question

Psychological Disorders have come a long way in their journey of understanding and treatment of disorders. To understand psychological disorders, we would require a brief historical account of how these disorders have been viewed over the ages. When we study the history of abnormal psychology, we find that certain theories have occurred repeatedly. Trace the history of disorders to understand their origin and leading to the latest developments.

Hint:

The term "Asylum" originally meant a place of safety or refuge, but over history, it became synonymous with neglect and imprisonment until the reform movements began.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The history of abnormal psychology is a transition from viewing mental illness as a spiritual or moral failing to viewing it as a treatable medical and psychological condition.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The history can be traced through several key periods:
1. Supernatural / Demonological View (Ancient Times): Abnormal behavior was attributed to evil spirits, demons, or divine displeasure. Treatments included exorcism, trephination (drilling holes in the skull), and prayer.
2. Biological / Somatogenic View (Greek & Roman Period): Hippocrates and Galen challenged supernatural views, suggesting that mental disorders were like physical diseases caused by an imbalance in body fluids (humours). This was the first scientific approach.
3. Return to Demonology (Middle Ages): During the Dark Ages in Europe, the church dominated, and abnormal behavior was again seen as the work of the devil (witchcraft). St. Augustine emphasized the role of internal mental conflict.
4. The Renaissance and the Asylum Movement: Asylums like St. Mary of Bethlehem ("Bedlam") were created. Initially, conditions were horrific, but later, "Moral Treatment" (advocated by Pinel and Tuke) emphasized treating patients with kindness and dignity.
5. Modern Era (19th - 21st Century):
- Psychogenic Perspective: Developed by Freud, focusing on unconscious psychological processes.
- The Drug Revolution: In the 1950s, the discovery of psychotropic medications led to "deinstitutionalization" (moving patients from hospitals to community care).
- Latest Developments: Today, we use evidence-based treatments (CBT, DBT) and advanced neuroimaging to understand the biological basis of behavior.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The history moves from the supernatural to the somatic and finally to a multidimensional understanding that integrates biology, psychology, and society.