Ep. 18: Echoes of Agony Exploring the Evils of Early Psychiatric Care

Wicked Wanderings

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As we close the curtains on our mental health series, Hannah and Jess take a solemn step back in time to the 1930s psychiatric care era, a time marked by chilling treatments and a blatant disregard for patient dignity. Immerse yourself in a conversation that exposes the horrific practices of scalding baths, invasive surgeries, and the removal of reproductive organs—all under the guise of 'curing' the mentally ill. Our episode is a powerful reminder of the misogynistic roots intertwined with these grim 'therapies' and a call to recognize these injustices to ensure they never repeat.
Venture deeper into the shadows with us as we scrutinize the harrowing history of lobotomies and electroshock therapy, where children were not spared from their traumatic reach. We'll dissect the tale of Phineas Gage, the infamous case that unlocked early insights into the brain's role in personality, and question the suspect success rates once touted by proponents of the lobotomy. Walter Freeman's transorbital lobotomy comes under our critical lens, as we grapple with the ethical abyss into which psychiatric care once plummeted.
But there is light at the end of this tunnel. Our final act brings us into the post-World War II landscape, where the advent of pharmaceuticals pivoted mental health treatment into new, albeit sometimes problematic, territory. We bear witness to the personal stories that illuminate the troubling history of overmedication and misdiagnosis, but also celebrate the strides made towards more humane treatment methods. From the compassionate care championed by the Quakers to the significant shifts in patient rights, we honor the journey towards a trauma-informed approach that respects and nurtures the whole person. Join us for this enlightening exploration of our past—and the future it has shaped—in mental health care.

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Wicked Wanderings is hosted by Hannah Fitzpatrick and Jess Goonan. It is produced and edited by Rob Fitzpatrick. Music by Sascha Ende. Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Lic.