Mental health has been one of the greatest mysteries throughout human history. An illness with an invisible cause, no surgery will fix it, no tonic, no bandage. Is it supernatural? Evil spirits? Demonic possession? Our lack of understanding about the human mind and stigmatization of mental health issues has led to untold horrors throughout time. And while, yes, we’ve come a long way, is it possible the journey has only just begun? Let’s fix that. Join me this week to uncover how mental health has been viewed and treated throughout history.

Taboo with Mimi episode about Cannibalism (with video!)

Sources: 

• CSP Global "A History of Mental Illness Treatment: Obsolete Practices"
• PBS "Treatments for Mental Illness"
• NOBA Project "History of Mental Illness"
• National Library of Medicine "Cycles of reform in the history of psychosis treatment in the United States"
• National Women's History Museum "Dorthea Dix"
• New Scientist "From sanctuary to snake pit: the rise and fall of asylums"
• Penn Nursing "History of Psychiatric Hospitals"
• National Library of Medicine "Dorthea Dix"
• Boston Magazine "TBT: Dorthea Dix Visits East Cambridge Jail for the First Time"
• JSTOR "Did Victorians Really Get Brain Fever?"
• History Extra "Bethlem Royal Hospital"
• FHE Health "Are Mental Disorders Increasing Over Time?"

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