StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients" states that the conditions of the asylums should be improved and government should take appropriate steps for this to happen. People should offer more funds so that they can be made more comfortable and provided better treatment…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.6% of users find it useful
Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients"

? Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the patients? Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients? “It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.” (Dick, 1991) Human madness is a relative term. For some it means eccentricity, excitement and for some madness is synonymous to genius. But for many it is a disease. To cure this disease, or so it is claimed, there are institutes that are now known as mental asylums. Over the years many debates and arguments have been raised to settle the controversy which keeps on revolving around mental asylums in the world as to whether these asylums are safe for the people or just another hazard for the. It is a question as to whether these asylums are actually beneficial for the treatment of the patients or not. A mental asylum is a place for people who lose the capacity to differentiate between right and wrong. Many people view this place as a secure place for their loved ones as they are under observation constantly. It is a heart wrecking decision for those whose parents, children and siblings are sent to the asylums. This whole process became more prominent in the nineteenth century. Many people became aware of the cons of keeping an “unfit” person at home. Naturally, it was shattering for many to send their loved ones to be looked after by complete strangers. But the society kept on forcing such families to send them to the asylums because it was argued that the patients would be much more secure in the asylums and this was for the betterment of the family as well. These asylums were a totally different world but were regarded as self-sufficient for the patients. The patients were taught to look after themselves, wash their own clothes, stitch clothes, wash dishes and were taught other chores like these. But there were other patients too who were totally alienated from these activities because they were “mad and dangerous”. They were locked up in rooms with no windows and there was only a door that was supposed to be the only connection between ‘the sane and insane world’ (Seiner, 2010). Many movies were made to depict the condition and treatment of the mental asylums. Two of the more symbolic movies depicting this state are ‘Jane Eyre” and “House on Haunted Hill”. These asylums, also known as the insane asylums at that time were also used for other purposes. When a woman used to raise her opinion in front of her husband, she was regarded as disobedient and was sent to this place to ‘learn some manners’. Similarly, when a child did not turn out as was expected from him, he was sent to the insane asylum to learn some manners or to be “Cured” (Sansone, 2009). But gradually when people started to talk about the hideous treatment of locking away the dangerous patients, who needed more care and tolerance, mental asylums began to take more care of the patients. But the point under discussion is that whether they did this for the repute of their own hospitals or did they actually start to take care of the patients. The subject of ‘mental illness’ was not much researched upon. Velma Dinkley in her article, “Mental Health and the Lunatic Asylums” (2009) writes, “In ancient times, the afflicted were seen as being possessed by the Gods, evil spirits or the devil, as a punishment for their sinful ways.” In these times, the mentally unstable people were pushed to such an extent where they ultimately committed suicide. Seeing the hideous conditions of the asylums at that time, many writers and critics thought that death was a better option. The attendants used to beat the patients; they were not given food and medication at time. Sometimes the patients just kept on screaming and fighting with each other but the staff was least moved (Dinkley, 2009). But gradually when people became more open minded and more scientific discoveries invaded the era, things began to change. It was still difficult for the people to accept this norm but a change definitely occurred. The animalistic attitude of the staff at asylums became more humane. Tammy Stoner in his article, “Pros and Cons of Forcing mental health Treatment on a Patient” (2007) writes, “The 1950's brought about significant changes in psychiatric treatment with the introduction of Thorazine, the first anti-psychotic medication. Hospital wards, once filled with screams from ill patients, became quiet places, and less people died in care.” (Stoner, 2007). As there are always two sides of the coin, same is the case with the controversy of mental asylums. Where many people are against this procedure, there have been many successful stories as well. On September 14 1864, a twelve year old named girl Elizabeth Clafton was admitted in an insane asylum in Dewsbury. She was violent, tore her clothes, bit herself and had to be chained so that she could not attack others. Within a year due to regular therapies, constant invigilation of the doctors and medication she turned in to a completely different girl. She herself told the staff that she would like to carry on with her therapy because it made her feel better. She used to talk about her problems and also about her future. The environment was such that she could openly talk with the psychiatrists. Finally, she was discharged from the hospital in 1868 when she found herself a good job (Seiner, 2010). After listening to such success stories, it is argued that asylums can prove to be beneficial. But opponents argue that it cannot be judged as to whether a person has really turned sane or he has learnt to hide his madness. As Herman Melville writes, “Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.” (Melville 1851). On the other hand, a known psychiatrist, Thomas Szasz, says that mental asylums are no more than prisons, “Psychiatric hospitals are like prisons, not hospitals, and that psychiatrist who subject others to coercion function as judges and jailers not physicians.” (Szasz 1984) The negativities of the mental asylums are true to some extent. Many psychiatrists, nowadays, instead of befriending their patients and understanding them are more concerned with their fees. Therefore, they try to coerce their patients in to something that is more dangerous than a pitfall. This is one of the reasons that people now shudder to the bones even if they hear the name of a mental asylum. Szasz also wrote in his book The Myth Of Mental Illness (1961) that it is not his intention to present a new concept of “psychiatric illness” or some new therapy treatment to control it. His aim is not something unattainable, just a bit more ambitious. He only requires that the concept of mental illness be looked at in a different light as compared to the past. He wants this illness not to be categorized as an “illness,” but rather “the expressions of man’s struggle with the problem of how he should live.” It is more of an internal mental conflict rather than a proper illness. Although this conflict is serious and encompasses the inability of man to relate and adapt to his surroundings in general and the society in particular, every single person experiences that at different levels, to a different degree. The problem is essentially big also because of the “increasing self-reflectiveness.” (Szasz, 1984). Erving Goffman was a known sociologist and author and he said that “the asylums are in the same category as concentration camps, prisons, military organizations, orphanages, and monasteries”. This is also quite true. In orphanages or camps or organizations, people are given refuge but no one really cares. It is as if they have been kept in a corner because there was extra space. Therefore, Goffman is right in comparing an asylum to these places. In such organizations, patients become more alienated and more depressed (Weinstein, 1982). Franco Basagia, an Italian psychiatrist also said in reference to the mental institutes that they are repressive, inaccessible and institution-like just like prisons. Like in a prison, a certain set of rules are applied and followed, similar is the case with asylums. And hence, doctors, nurses and patients are all institutionalized in their actions and routine as is applied to their individual designation. To sum it up, more people are inclined towards the idea that mental asylums are not secure. Patients instead of becoming well, turn more depressed, miserable and many a times more violent. Sometimes the conditions of these asylums remain a secret to everyone and the family of the patient keeps on thinking that he will get better. Sometimes a person may even not be ‘mad’ but the conditions of the asylums may turn him in to a crazy person (Tansella, 1986). Nowadays much research has been done on these conditions and the treatment of the patients. Naturally they are given drugs and so it is sometimes impossible to tell that whether the patient is getting better or he is under the effect of the drugs. It is better to take a mentally unstable patient to a good and renowned psychiatrist. Therapy sessions help a lot and are very effective when it comes to psychiatric issues. One should not be concerned with what others think about an individual seeking counseling. There are many advantages of it. First, the environment is quite ideal. The patient is the only one in the room and so they do not feel embarrassed. Moreover through these sessions it can be diagnosed that whether the person is ‘mad’ or ‘depressed’ or just passive. However, when different success stories of the asylums are considered, the benefit of these asylums cannot be denied. For diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, where a person starts to lose his memory, these institutes are important. It is one of those diseases which have no cure at all. Towards the end these patients are a threat, not only to others, but also to themselves. But even then, many families do not transfer the patient to an asylum (Blechner, 2007). The conditions of these asylums should be improved and government should take appropriate steps for this to happen. People should offer more funds so that they can be made more comfortable and provided better treatment. The tightly locked rooms, with no windows, small doors, crack on the walls and intolerable stench is not an answer when it comes to curing the mentally unstable people. If this will happen, maybe people will not try to accept the reality of the asylums and will be reluctant to send the patients over here. But still, the subject of mental asylums is such that it will remain an enigma forever. It might be that the people who got better had more strong wills. But in the past, the conditions of asylums have always been terrible and many cases like patients killing themselves have come forth. To prevent these accidents, the conditions of the asylums should be improved. References Blechner, M. J. (January 01, 2007). Approaches to Panic Attacks. Neuropsychoanalysis Madison-, 9, 1, 91-100. Dick, P. K. (1991). Valis. New York: Vintage Books. Dinkley, V. (2009). Mental health and the lunatic asylums. Family Tree Forum, 3. Retrieved from: http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:mental-health-and-the-lunatic-asylums&catid=43:january-2009 Melville, H. (1851). Moby Dick. New York: Harper and Brothers. Sansone, T. (2009, December 11). Women and the insane asylum. Tennessee Genealogical Society. Retrieved from: http://www.tngs.org/library/asylum.htm Seiner, L. (2010, February 20). Insane Asylums. Booksie. Retrieved from: http://www.booksie.com/non-fiction/essay/leiary_seiner/insane-asylums Stoner, T. (2007, May 19). Pros and cons of forcing mental health treatment on a patient. Helium. Retrieved from: http://www.helium.com/items/344258-pros-and-cons-of-forcing-mental-health-treatment-on-a-patient Szasz, T. (1984). The myth of mental illness: Foundations of a theory of personal conduct. New York: Harper & Row. Tansella, M. (January 01, 1986). Community psychiatry without mental hospitals--the Italian experience: a review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 79, 11, 664-9. Weinstein, R. (1982). Goffman's asylums and the social condition of mental patients. Orthomolecular Psychiatry. 11, 4, 267-274. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Chose a controversial health topic Research Paper”, n.d.)
Chose a controversial health topic Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1458926-chose-a-controversial-health-topic
(Chose a Controversial Health Topic Research Paper)
Chose a Controversial Health Topic Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1458926-chose-a-controversial-health-topic.
“Chose a Controversial Health Topic Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1458926-chose-a-controversial-health-topic.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Are Mental Asylums a Refuge or a Pitfall for the Patients

Mental Illness and Individual Self Identity

This essay attempts to analyze the concept of mental illness from the perspective of the patient, and the manner in which conventional psychiatry distorts it (illness), for furthering its ulterior motive.... The essay would refer to the articles “mental Illness, Psychiatric Drugs and Elusive Self” by David Karp, and “The Moral Career of the mental Patient” by Erving Goffman.... It is rather perturbing to be making note of the fact that, a patient afflicted by a mental disorder is almost coerced to interpret the reality of their self, from the viewpoint of society....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Overseas Trained Health Professionals in Australia

Experience of being an overseas trained health professional working in mental health, Australia Table of Contents: List of Figures: ……………….... These shortages will influence the prospects and experiences of medical and mental health professionals seeking to live and work abroad.... Abbreviations: ACMHN: Australian College for mental health nurses....
27 Pages (6750 words) Dissertation

Emergency Mental Health

In effect, patients who want to stay, have to be discharged.... This paper ''Emergency mental Health'' tells us that mental illnesses are a state of incapacity where an individual's normal physiological and psychological processes are disturbed or damaged.... In the current state of mental health care mental health services are inadequate and are not properly made available to the mentally ill.... Paul Linde (2011) are those who walk into mental health institutions with serious mental health afflictions like schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and similar other mental health diseases....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Mental Illness in Refugees and Asylum Seekers

This essay,mental Illness in Refugees and Asylum Seekers, highlights that there is a high incidence of mental illness reported among refugees and asylum seekers, which may arise due to a variety of causes and there is an urgent need to address the health needs of these individuals.... The prevalence of mental health problems among immigrants, especially asylum seekers has been found in several earlier studies in other countries.... A refugee or asylum seeker is a vulnerable adult defined by the Department of health as someone 'who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of himself or herself or unable to protect himself or herself against significant harm or serious exploitation....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Asylums role in understanding of mental disorders

The writer of this study suggests that mental disorders are no longer reason to be ashamed, but a health condition which is needed to be investigated carefully.... The paper will discuss a long way mental disorders had traveled to reach this idea along with its state in contemporary society.... In fact, this definition exists for now when some mental disorders (like depression) are not taken seriously.... About mental disorders were spoken 'in terms of a heart or brain, blood, spirits and humors'....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Emergency Mental Health

The paper "Emergency Mental Health" discusses the mental condition of people in society, the stigma against the mentally ill, the main issues in mental health care, what prevents the health workers to make the assessment of patients, the example of the case of Brett, a schizophrenic.... Even as the prejudice against the mentally ill has already gone beyond name-calling and misnomers, the general stigma against mental illness makes the situation of the mentally ill even more untenable (Corrigan, 2004)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Report

Role of CAMHS in Delivering Mental Health in the UK

These problems run through the early intervention and prevention stages, as well as in patients' services for the most vulnerable children (Fleming, 2001).... The paper "Role of CAMHS in Delivering mental Health in the UK" presents that the foundation for good mental health is laid in the early years of a child, as it benefits from a society that invests in children.... Fortunately, many people in the European Union enjoy good mental health....
13 Pages (3250 words) Term Paper

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Counselling of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Lecomte (2010) established that up to 50 per cent is experienced by certain therapists, patients and that their rate of discontinuation is 50 per cent lower as compared with others.... The paper "Therapeutic Effectiveness of Counselling of Asylum Seekers and Refugees" states that there is a continuing desire to develop mental health services that are culturally appropriate for marginalized as well as socially under-included populations....
10 Pages (2500 words) Literature review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us