PSYC 3140 Lecture Notes - Chlorpromazine, Wilhelm Wundt, Tarantism
17 Oct 2012
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Energetic child, moody, with little self control, graduated from university. Moodiness increased especially after his brother began to have severe convulsive seizures (epilepsy), possibly caused by the massive brain tumor discovered after his death. Beers developed morbid fear that he would be overcome with epilepsy. 1890 brother lay dying in family home,beers moodiness grew to despair, deep paranoia- eventually leaving unable to speak,eventually jumped out fourth floor window and survived. Hospitalized, mood altered from depression to manic excitement, early 1900s, no drugs available. In hospital, beaten, choked, locked away for long periods with no clothes in dark and cold cells, put in straitjacket for 21 days, survived harsh conditions and recovered. Started a movement to reform mental health treatment with mental hygiene movement. Argued that all psychological disorders are medical diseases and should be treated biologically. Founder of canadian national committee for mental hygiene: revolutionized mental health care with respect to diagnosis, treatment, prevention.
