Psychosurgery Psychosurgery, since its introduction, has been a controversial topic because of its approach to treating patients with extreme personality and behavior disorder, as well other mental illness by severing, or otherwise disabling areas of the brain (Psychology 1). More radical and extreme procedures such as trepanning, or “trephining”during the Neolithic era, similar to psychosurgery therapy, focused on treating epileptic seizures, migraines, mental disorders and spiritual conflicts. Although, trepanning procedures were widely used between 5000 - 6500 B.C., modern psychosurgery as most know it, is accredited to Swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Gottlieb Burckhardt beginning in the 1880’s. The basis theory of Gottlieh Burckhardt's actions
Individual who were having illusions or were delusional had a hole drilled in their skull in order to get rid of the spirits. If that person was still alive, the procedure was successful
Part one spans over the years 1750-1900, and elaborates on the developments of varying treatments that were administered to mental patients during this time. Whitaker writes of methods like dunking the patients in water, bloodletting, the tranquilizer
Neurologist Antonio Damasio has written significantly on Gage and other patients that he studied on with similar injuries. Damasio viewed Gage's case as playing a crucial role in the history of neuroscience, and stated that Gage's story "was the historical beginnings of the study of the biological basis of behavior". Gage's case inspired the development of frontal lobotomy, which now is a psychosurgical procedure that leads to emotional response and personality traits. On the other hand, historical analysis doesn't support this claim because Gage's injury didn't have enough influence on the development of this practice.
Also during that time period a common treatment for such disorders included a procedure known as trephining. This procedure included chipping a hole into the skull of the afflicted person. This procedure has endured through time and is still used today in a more refined way to treat medical problems like migraines and skull fractures. When dealing with mental afflictions, Ancient Egyptians recommended modern methods like engaging in recreational activities like dancing, and painting. In the past it has also been common to lock up in jails or dungeons individuals who were mentally ill and who acted out. In the 17th century drugs like laudanum, unguents, opium grains were used as sedatives to ease the torment that mentally ill individuals would endure. At certain points in time, the mentally ill were housed in monasteries up until asylums were created and used to hold these individuals.
This surgery was founded by Portuguese doctor Egas Moniz. He learned of two Chimpanzees who had their frontal lobes removed in order to change their emotions and actions. So he came up with the idea that this must be tried on humans with mental disorders to see if it can cure them. A separation tool was made and Dr. Moniz began doing frontal lobotomies at the “Libson Insane Asylum” (Harriet Hall 2015.) Dr. Moniz began to notice that his patients began to act “more docile and seemingly content” (Harriet Hall 2015.) These actions were complete opposites from their original actions of rage and violence. So without any further studies Dr. Moniz would publisher his work winning him a Nobel Prize in medicine and he became critically acclaimed with this work. At the time the Nobel Prize committee claimed it to be “the most important discovery ever made” pertaining to psychiatric therapy (Harriet Hall 2015.) due to its limited time of research the horrible side effects were never addressed till after the multiple procedures were done. The case of Bennie Sternberg being a prime example. Bennie suffered from schizophrenia and would sometimes act out in fits of anger. The Sternberg family was more or less pressured into having Bennie go through the surgery. Post-surgery Bennie was not the same. His family would account that Bennie “did not speak a word” he would “barely move” (Harriet Hall 2015.) He
Lobotomy, a surgical procedure that which involves the incision of the prefrontal brain; To cure patients suffering from mild to critical mental conditions. The article reported by NPR portrays the role of lobotomy and it’s effects based upon the point of view of actual patient, Howard Dully. Originally, Freeman adapted the idea of neurological procedures from Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz. Who infamously drilled holes into patients skulls to cure mental illness. From this idea Freeman adapted the term lobotomy and later performed the first ever American lobotomy procedure. And due to lack of the understanding and treatments for mental illnesses this surgical procedure spread like wildfire in the United States.
1. Era I – “Mechanical Medicine” began in the 1860’s. Its focus is on surgical procedures and drugs. The thought was that health and illness are only physical in nature and consciousness is equated to functioning of the brain. Era I thinking in displayed in review of psychiatric care in the early 1900 with the use of frontal lobotomies to cure hysteria. The thought was that performing a surgical procedure on the brain will remove the area that is causing the Hysteria. Era I focuses on performing a procedure or providing a medication to fix the body physically, while Era III takes into account the patients perception of health, their stats of mind and their support
Scalpel in hand, staring at the hippocampus throbbing in front of me, I focused on the butterfly tumor on this young woman who had an entire life ahead of her. My favorite part about neurosurgery is the endless amount of possibilities that are in the hands of both the surgeon and the patient. Whether it be my capability of having a steady hand to remove such a consistent and aggressive cancer, or her ability to have vitals that make the surgery successful, we both depend on each other. Proceeding to successfully remove this stage four glioblastoma I considered what could go wrong. The hippocampus is considered to be the center of emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system which primarily controls the bodily functions one does not consciously
Towson University should make an effort to reduce theft in regards to food services. Food services loses about 40-50 Chic-fil-A sandwiches per day due to theft (Cubbler, R. 2011). Other stolen items are typically sushi, chicken nuggets, and bottled beverages (Cubbler, R. 2011). Towson University should provide a TU police officer during peak theft times, set up a visible working or dummy security camera in the dining facility, or place a set of lockers outside of the dining facility similar to the ones outside of the Bookstore. Money saved from reducing theft could be used for funding sustainable practices that are sometimes more expensive.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is very in depth when it comes to symbolism. One could not read through the novel and not notice at least one symbol hidden in the text. Harper Lee did an excellent job when writing the novel. Taking years to fully compose, it is no wonder why the novel in it's essance is so well done. The story is so intertwined and complex on many levels. The complexity is mainly caused by the symbols used by Harper Lee.
The two psychological interventions that were administered to McMurphy while in the mental institution were a lobotomy and shock therapy. A lobotomy is the removal of the portion from the frontal lobe of the brain. This procedure’s main goal is to eliminate aggressive or violent behavior. This invention took place in 1935 by Dr. Antonio Egas Moniz. However, by the late 1940s the realization those individuals undergoing lobotomy procedures took place without initiative became apparent. Although the methods of a lobotomy have changed the basic underlying idea of neurosurgery exists today in the form of “psychosurgery” (Encarta 2000). Shock Therapy uses electric current or drugs to control psychotic disorders. In 1933, Dr. Manfred Sakel used drugs and instituted insulin shock to control mainly Schizophrenia. In 1938, Drs. U. Cerletti and L. Bini used electroshock therapy to treat severe depression (i.e. manic depressive psychoses). Alternating current through the brain using parallel
During the early 1970’s something called Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning was introduced into medicine. The CT scans were able to provide the first clear image of the brain and brain tumors. This was done by using X-Rays which provided doctors with images of a section or “slice” of the brain. In the following decades, CT Scanning becomes more and more refined and is now also being paired with other imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which was invented by Damadian in 1977 (Filler, 2009).
In early American history, individuals with mental illnesses have been neglected and suffered inhuman treatments. Some were beaten, lobotomized, sterilized, restrained, in addition to other kinds of abuse. Mental illness was thought to be the cause of supernatural dreadful curse from the Gods or a demonic possession. Trepanning (the opening of the skull) is the earliest known treatment for individuals with mental illness. This practice was believed to release evil spirits (Kemp, 2007). Laws were passed giving power to take custody over the mentally ill including selling their possessions and properties and be imprisoned (Kofman, 2012). The first psychiatric hospital in the U.S. was the Pennsylvania Hospital where mentally ill patients were left in cold basements because they were considered not affected by cold or hot environments and restraint with iron shackles. They were put on display like zoo animals to the public for sell by the doctors (Kofmen, 2012). These individuals were punished and isolated and kept far out of the eyes of society, hidden as if they did not exist. They were either maintained by living with their families and considered a source of embarrassment or institutionalized
Today we know that depression, anxiety and other psychological symptoms can contribute to physical sensations and a sense of being physically unwell and we also have an understanding of psychosomatic illness. Another important contribution was Mesmer’s recognition of the unconscious, although he did not speak of it as such. He experienced the power of the unconscious in that he contributed to the discovery of the hypnotic state, which can be a powerful therapeutic tool in therapy. Although he was labeled a fraud on the basis that there was no proof that he had discovered a new physical fluid, it is an important finding just the same that his clients were cured on the basis of suggestion. This is important in terms of how the psychological relates to the physical. Another contribution to psychology is that Mesmer sought to be both a scientist and a practitioner, and that this model of the dual role of a therapist is important for therapists working in psychology today. Finally, Mesmer mentored an important figure in the history of psychology who recognized that the belief in the efficacy of cure, desire to cure and the therapeutic relationship were fundamental factors in successfully working with clients in therapy. These beliefs are central to the practice of clinical psychology in our world today. There is no doubt that Mesmer is a curious figure in the history of psychology. He contributed to
During the early to mid 20th century, not much was known about mental illnesses or what caused them, which was the way it had been for many years before. One of the somewhat common perceptions about mental illness was that these disorders were caused by possession or negative spirits. This can be most likely be attributed to the wide influence of the catholic church and the belief that exorcisms or psychosurgery could possibly cure incurable or intractable mental illnesses. Psychosurgery developed into the more common procedure known as a lobotomy, where the connections between the prefrontal lobe and the prefrontal cortex are cut with the intention of freeing the patient from delusions and side effects of other mental illnesses. Lobotomies began as a surgical procedure which needed to be performed in an operating room, as it required holes to be drilled through the scalp and into the skull. This meant that though the procedure was seen to show some