A and compare/contrast on the topic of Insanity (Ten days in a Madhouse / Voluntary Madness) - Research Paper Example

Thesis statement: The difference in methods used for treatment of mental illness then and now: A research and compare/contrast paper on the topic of "Insanity" (special reference to the works: "Ten days in a Madhouse" / "Voluntary Madness"). In older days, mental patients were treated badly because they were considered as possessed by supernatural (evil) forces. So, less importance was given to healthy practices and innovative methods in the field of mental treatment. For instance, the patients were divided into two: mania and melancholy.

The methods used for treatment were inhuman because Cathartic treatment methods like ice bath, massive shock treatment etc were introduced. Other treatment methods like bleeding practice were totally against medical ethics. Some other methods introduced by the Europeans, like ‘Moral Management’ gradually inculcated innovation to the field of mental treatment. For instance, the method of ‘Moral Management’ gave importance to the influence of environment in treatment. Besides, this method was comfortable to patients because patients were allowed to involve in recreational activities.

Gradually, the development of mental asylums in Europe and America gave importance to drug treatment. Besides, the innovative treatment methods like lobotomy and trans-orbital lobotomy were introduced. Meanwhile, electro-convulsive shock treatment was reintroduced to the scenario of mental treatment. But this treatment was not able to reduce the hardships suffered by the patients. Earlier, treatment methods in the field of mental illness were doctor oriented because less importance was given to the physical and mental health of patients.

But now, treatment methods had become patient oriented and give ample importance to patients. For instance, de-institutionalization, an innovative treatment method is helpful to inculcate innovation to the field of mental illness treatment. The de-institutionalization divided the