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تاريخ الجنون والمصحات العقلية
أن تؤرخ للجنون فهذا يعني أنك تؤرخ للإنسان ذاته بمعاناته وآلامه. تفهم ماهية المرض العقلي وطرق علاجه وتقبل المرضى بشكل يستوعب آلامهم فيرحمهم دون اعتبارهم أفرادا ناقصين أو عالة على المجتمع. كيف فهمت البشرية الجنون؟ وكيف عالجته؟ في البداية رأته اختلالا في توازن سوائل الجسم. ثم عقابًا إلهيا أو مسا شيطانيا، قبل أن تظهر المفاهيم الحديثة عن طبيعة المرض العقلي. أما العلاج فبدأ بالضرب المبرح لطرد الأرواح الشريرة وقصد دماء المرضى، والأعشاب والوصفات الطبية، ثم عمليات جراحية لاستئصال أجزاء من الدماغ وصولاً إلى جرعات الأنسولين والصدمات الكهربائية والعقاقير الكيميائية والمصحات العقلية صحيح. كيف كان شكل الحياة فيها ؟ ولكن .. ألا يظل الجنون مصدرًا لمعاناة البشر وإبداعاتهم على أية حال؟
- GenresNonfiction
364 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 29, 2022
I like the titles Pen & Sword History publishes a lot, they tend to pick interesting micro-history topics and make them accessible for the general public; and as a layperson with a lifelong interest in history, I especially appreciate the latter point.
But sometimes there's topics with which one's own familiarity is a roadblock for enjoyment, and Juliana Cummings' A History of Insanity was it for me. For the average reader, this may be a thorough and informative book, but to me it wasn't. It didn't tell me anything I didn't know already, and what's more, it wasn't nearly half as good as an introductory college textbook. My basic university textbooks from my first semester intro class on the history of psychology, psychiatry and psychiatric illnesses were better, and this doesn't compare. It may look unfair to compare professional textbooks with pop history books, but given that familiarity with a topic is the basis for judging the quality of a book on said topic, I can't do but.
But even without thinking of how this would stake against a book written by experts, it still has its particular deficiencies. You don't need to be familiar with psychiatry to be able to tell that the author isn't a particularly good writer, and that is putting aside the fact that she's not a professional in either history or psychiatry, which shows a lot throughout the book. The writing is choppy, stilted, overcautious, overabundant in one-liners and one-paragraph sentences, you can tell the author can't make assessments on the topic because she simply isn't trained in the topic, and she makes awkward assertions that would make you laugh for how clumsily phrased they are. For example, in the chapter that covers the T4 eugenics programme implemented by the Nazis, Cummings calls it "involuntary mass murder," a hilariously insensitive phrasing. What mass murder is "voluntary"? David Koresh's crowd, perhaps? Does she think the Jews who also were victims of the gassings alongside the disabled of Germany went to their massacres "voluntarily"? I get that the idea was to convey that the T4 programme was carried out without the knowledge or consent of the families, and that there were some (rare, it must be added) that did participate in the programme voluntarily, in the sense of consenting to have their disabled kin be killed, but that doesn't excuse the horrid phrasing and the implications. This kind of incidents is why history books by lay authors not trained in the topic they write about is suspect to me.
And it's not the only instance of awkward phrasing. The lack of formal training in history also shows in the early chapters, where some usual myths about the fall of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages are repeated uncritically; namely, the old and debunked cliché that when Rome fell everything went dark science & progress-wise for 1,000 years until suddenly someone found the light in the Islamic world. Such an assertion is only possible from someone who has no deep knowledge of the Middle Ages and hasn't dug deeper than the oft-repeated stereotypes pop history perpetuates. This section covering medieval times is easily the worst in the book, followed by the section on ancient times, which is also rather broadly summed up.
The organisation of the ten chapters this book has is also awkward, especially in the first chapters. Each chapter is intended to cover a determined time period so the book will cover the entirety of the history of insanity from ancient times to our day in chronological order, but Cummings doesn't stick to the chapter's dedicated time period because she goes back and forth in time, so you have chapters supposedly educating you on how it was for the mentally ill in, say, the Renaissance, that go beyond the time the Renaissance lasted, and back too, and forth. It's all over the place, chaotic and unorganised, again showing the lack of training on the part of the author.
Additionally, the writing suffers from "presentism." A lot of paragraphs begin with disclaimery assertions in the vein of "Of course we now know that . . ." which read like someone is anxious to let the reader know we no longer believe or think what the Greeks or Tudor Englishmen believed. It filters the beliefs and practices of people from past times through our modern and superior knowledge of mental illness and brain processes in a patronising manner. Yes, we do know that cold water baths don't work for curing the insane. Yes, we know bloodletting doesn't cure schizophrenia. It's a given that we know all that now, you don't need to tell us that our modern psychiatrists no longer believe or do all that. And if your intent is to show that, for all the barbaric methods of curing insanity in the past, the motivation was genuine desire to help the insane with what limited knowledge and means they had in the past, and not just be a period costume version of the cruel nurse in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," then this presentism and vying to not offend modern readers' sensibilities by describing those beliefs and labels such as cretin, idiot, retarded, etc., that are now outdated and offensive but were medical terms back then doesn't help the argument.
It didn't help either that the book ended in a very abrupt way, with zero wrap up and zero global assessment of the entirety of the sad but fascinating history of mental illness on the part of the author. In fact, the last paragraph in this book merely says:
"While many state mental hospitals in Great Britain have now been closed and demolished, their history remains a remnant of the psychiatry of years past."
And that's all, folks. No smooth epilogue, no closing commentary from the author, nothing. It was so disappointing.
In sum, this may be of value for the general public that wants a quick and not too complex read, and it does have some positives, like the Victorian period chapters, but overall it's been impossible for me to overlook its issues both in content and writing.
Thank you to Pen & Sword History for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But sometimes there's topics with which one's own familiarity is a roadblock for enjoyment, and Juliana Cummings' A History of Insanity was it for me. For the average reader, this may be a thorough and informative book, but to me it wasn't. It didn't tell me anything I didn't know already, and what's more, it wasn't nearly half as good as an introductory college textbook. My basic university textbooks from my first semester intro class on the history of psychology, psychiatry and psychiatric illnesses were better, and this doesn't compare. It may look unfair to compare professional textbooks with pop history books, but given that familiarity with a topic is the basis for judging the quality of a book on said topic, I can't do but.
But even without thinking of how this would stake against a book written by experts, it still has its particular deficiencies. You don't need to be familiar with psychiatry to be able to tell that the author isn't a particularly good writer, and that is putting aside the fact that she's not a professional in either history or psychiatry, which shows a lot throughout the book. The writing is choppy, stilted, overcautious, overabundant in one-liners and one-paragraph sentences, you can tell the author can't make assessments on the topic because she simply isn't trained in the topic, and she makes awkward assertions that would make you laugh for how clumsily phrased they are. For example, in the chapter that covers the T4 eugenics programme implemented by the Nazis, Cummings calls it "involuntary mass murder," a hilariously insensitive phrasing. What mass murder is "voluntary"? David Koresh's crowd, perhaps? Does she think the Jews who also were victims of the gassings alongside the disabled of Germany went to their massacres "voluntarily"? I get that the idea was to convey that the T4 programme was carried out without the knowledge or consent of the families, and that there were some (rare, it must be added) that did participate in the programme voluntarily, in the sense of consenting to have their disabled kin be killed, but that doesn't excuse the horrid phrasing and the implications. This kind of incidents is why history books by lay authors not trained in the topic they write about is suspect to me.
And it's not the only instance of awkward phrasing. The lack of formal training in history also shows in the early chapters, where some usual myths about the fall of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages are repeated uncritically; namely, the old and debunked cliché that when Rome fell everything went dark science & progress-wise for 1,000 years until suddenly someone found the light in the Islamic world. Such an assertion is only possible from someone who has no deep knowledge of the Middle Ages and hasn't dug deeper than the oft-repeated stereotypes pop history perpetuates. This section covering medieval times is easily the worst in the book, followed by the section on ancient times, which is also rather broadly summed up.
The organisation of the ten chapters this book has is also awkward, especially in the first chapters. Each chapter is intended to cover a determined time period so the book will cover the entirety of the history of insanity from ancient times to our day in chronological order, but Cummings doesn't stick to the chapter's dedicated time period because she goes back and forth in time, so you have chapters supposedly educating you on how it was for the mentally ill in, say, the Renaissance, that go beyond the time the Renaissance lasted, and back too, and forth. It's all over the place, chaotic and unorganised, again showing the lack of training on the part of the author.
Additionally, the writing suffers from "presentism." A lot of paragraphs begin with disclaimery assertions in the vein of "Of course we now know that . . ." which read like someone is anxious to let the reader know we no longer believe or think what the Greeks or Tudor Englishmen believed. It filters the beliefs and practices of people from past times through our modern and superior knowledge of mental illness and brain processes in a patronising manner. Yes, we do know that cold water baths don't work for curing the insane. Yes, we know bloodletting doesn't cure schizophrenia. It's a given that we know all that now, you don't need to tell us that our modern psychiatrists no longer believe or do all that. And if your intent is to show that, for all the barbaric methods of curing insanity in the past, the motivation was genuine desire to help the insane with what limited knowledge and means they had in the past, and not just be a period costume version of the cruel nurse in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," then this presentism and vying to not offend modern readers' sensibilities by describing those beliefs and labels such as cretin, idiot, retarded, etc., that are now outdated and offensive but were medical terms back then doesn't help the argument.
It didn't help either that the book ended in a very abrupt way, with zero wrap up and zero global assessment of the entirety of the sad but fascinating history of mental illness on the part of the author. In fact, the last paragraph in this book merely says:
"While many state mental hospitals in Great Britain have now been closed and demolished, their history remains a remnant of the psychiatry of years past."
And that's all, folks. No smooth epilogue, no closing commentary from the author, nothing. It was so disappointing.
In sum, this may be of value for the general public that wants a quick and not too complex read, and it does have some positives, like the Victorian period chapters, but overall it's been impossible for me to overlook its issues both in content and writing.
Thank you to Pen & Sword History for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2023
The History of Insanity and the Asylum – Julianna Cummings – (2023)
Historical institutionalized mental healthcare where patients were confined in massive gothic mental asylums is a fascinating subject matter that has always captivated the public imagination. Julianna Cummings is an author of several books of the Tudor Royal Dynasty and Medieval History, her writing/articles have been featured in several U.K. and U.S. publications.
The book covers a wide range of subject matter from the treatment of mental illness from ancient Greece and Rome, to Hippocrates, to Cicero, to the modern times of Sigmund Freud, Thomas Szasz, and Michel Foucault. During certain time periods it was a widely accepted belief that mental insanity was caused by evil/unclean spirits, supernatural forces, lack of moral character, or the failure of will that caused suffering. The treatments for mental conditions varied, though some could be cruel, barbaric—and possibly lead to death. This was particularly true when over 300,000 mentally/developmentally disabled people (including children) were murdered due to T4/Nazi Eugenic Programs (1939-45).
According to Ms. Cummings, the “Age of Enlightenment” (1685- 1815) the ideas/philosophies of the Puritan and Quaker clergy exposed a new practical, rational, and humane approach in “moral” healthcare and treatments. The confined mentally ill and/or others with disabilities eventually received care in elegant gothic castle-like asylums that inspired feelings of patient refuge, protection, and wellness. The majority of asylums were built in the U.K. between 1811-1914. By WWII asylums were overcrowded, underfunded, with valid public concerns over poor patient care, neglect, and abuse. With the arrival of antipsychotic medications including Thorazine (1955)— the resolve to place patients in community settings and out of institutionalized care began in the 1960’s. The first asylum to close in the U.K. was the Banstead Asylum (1877-1986) it was demolished in 1989. Closure of the East Riding Asylum followed (1871-1989).
It appeared that previously published data and material was mainly used in research for the book. Often, the narrative seemed like a scholarly textbook reading of scientists, doctors, theories, hospitals, and treatments that included some author observations/opinions. The subject matter is very interesting, though, at times, the organization, writing style, and the format of the book failed to measure up. For example: Ms. Cummings compared the creative genius of Amadeus Mozart and Edgar Allen Poe-- her “insight” is simply common knowledge. This also applied to her observations of female hysteria and depressive illness-- the belief of male doctors that these conditions (in past generations) resulted from uterine and reproductive disorders. Women were admitted to mental asylums in higher numbers than men, and often against their will by abusive fathers or husbands. There was an absence of suggestions and solutions to the numerous challenges related in the book. (2.5* FAIR) … **With thanks to Pen and Sword Books via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
Historical institutionalized mental healthcare where patients were confined in massive gothic mental asylums is a fascinating subject matter that has always captivated the public imagination. Julianna Cummings is an author of several books of the Tudor Royal Dynasty and Medieval History, her writing/articles have been featured in several U.K. and U.S. publications.
The book covers a wide range of subject matter from the treatment of mental illness from ancient Greece and Rome, to Hippocrates, to Cicero, to the modern times of Sigmund Freud, Thomas Szasz, and Michel Foucault. During certain time periods it was a widely accepted belief that mental insanity was caused by evil/unclean spirits, supernatural forces, lack of moral character, or the failure of will that caused suffering. The treatments for mental conditions varied, though some could be cruel, barbaric—and possibly lead to death. This was particularly true when over 300,000 mentally/developmentally disabled people (including children) were murdered due to T4/Nazi Eugenic Programs (1939-45).
According to Ms. Cummings, the “Age of Enlightenment” (1685- 1815) the ideas/philosophies of the Puritan and Quaker clergy exposed a new practical, rational, and humane approach in “moral” healthcare and treatments. The confined mentally ill and/or others with disabilities eventually received care in elegant gothic castle-like asylums that inspired feelings of patient refuge, protection, and wellness. The majority of asylums were built in the U.K. between 1811-1914. By WWII asylums were overcrowded, underfunded, with valid public concerns over poor patient care, neglect, and abuse. With the arrival of antipsychotic medications including Thorazine (1955)— the resolve to place patients in community settings and out of institutionalized care began in the 1960’s. The first asylum to close in the U.K. was the Banstead Asylum (1877-1986) it was demolished in 1989. Closure of the East Riding Asylum followed (1871-1989).
It appeared that previously published data and material was mainly used in research for the book. Often, the narrative seemed like a scholarly textbook reading of scientists, doctors, theories, hospitals, and treatments that included some author observations/opinions. The subject matter is very interesting, though, at times, the organization, writing style, and the format of the book failed to measure up. For example: Ms. Cummings compared the creative genius of Amadeus Mozart and Edgar Allen Poe-- her “insight” is simply common knowledge. This also applied to her observations of female hysteria and depressive illness-- the belief of male doctors that these conditions (in past generations) resulted from uterine and reproductive disorders. Women were admitted to mental asylums in higher numbers than men, and often against their will by abusive fathers or husbands. There was an absence of suggestions and solutions to the numerous challenges related in the book. (2.5* FAIR) … **With thanks to Pen and Sword Books via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
September 3, 2023
8/29 ok this book was fairly tolerable because it was only relatable to myself. But this last chapter or two has gone into eugenics and it’s terrifying. What is unfathomable is the fact that it began in the United States only to be morbidly twisted to the Reich’s pleasures and excuses. I don’t know if I can finish this book now. All of those babies and those children being tested and murdered. All of those adult patients put to death because, for most of them, their brains just worked differently. Frightening and inexcusable. And practically unpunished. I’m told now that there is no normal anymore, no more “supermen” and all of us are just hanging on for dear life, who is judging the judges?
8/28 the minute this book started discussing psychopharmacology I shut down. The idea of once taking lithium still fills me with fear. About 10 years ago a group of various physicians put me through so many trials of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers I'm close to screaming PTSD because of what I call my LMNOP . (I have to use humor sometimes or I'd cry 24 hours a day in a dark room) so horrible the phases a mentally ill person has to go through when you are more than likely one of the small percentage of the population that is untreatable. I do know about gene site testing, but that scares me so badly. I'm over it.
8/23 so because I suffer from LMNOP (I figure it’s easier to say that than all,of the actual letter-filled issues I have), I read a ton of books about mental health, institutions, crimes against the needful etc. and of course we all can picture in our minds the progression from humans chained to walls naked and filthy to the fabulous past time of husbands admitting their wives because she liked sex just a little too much and spent time…dare i say it…reading novels. But at least in Great Britain they just kept building more prison oops sorry I meant wards, that I really wonder how mental health would be accepted now in a surreal world. In America the government just took all of the money out of the budget and closed all of the buildings down so we can enjoy the Ill as homeless. A lot of those patients should have never even been admitted. Oh what people are willing to do for the money.
7/15 hmmm, the doctors tried a REGIMENT of medications on Henry VI…I wonder what that was like….you know….considering his catatonia and all. A whole regiment…you keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means
Well that was weird
The author just referred to Henry VIII’s illegitimate son as Henry Blount. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone do that. I mean yes technically it is correct, but I’ve always read Henry Fitzroy. Now I’m racking my brain for any Tudor book I’ve ever come across, especially those that dealt with the Royal children, and no, i don’t think I’ve ever read that the Duke of Richmond ever used his mother’s last name. Hmmmmm….anyone please comment if and where you may have seen this.p
Because I’m still waiting to read which REGIMENT Henry VI will be using
8/28 the minute this book started discussing psychopharmacology I shut down. The idea of once taking lithium still fills me with fear. About 10 years ago a group of various physicians put me through so many trials of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers I'm close to screaming PTSD because of what I call my LMNOP . (I have to use humor sometimes or I'd cry 24 hours a day in a dark room) so horrible the phases a mentally ill person has to go through when you are more than likely one of the small percentage of the population that is untreatable. I do know about gene site testing, but that scares me so badly. I'm over it.
8/23 so because I suffer from LMNOP (I figure it’s easier to say that than all,of the actual letter-filled issues I have), I read a ton of books about mental health, institutions, crimes against the needful etc. and of course we all can picture in our minds the progression from humans chained to walls naked and filthy to the fabulous past time of husbands admitting their wives because she liked sex just a little too much and spent time…dare i say it…reading novels. But at least in Great Britain they just kept building more prison oops sorry I meant wards, that I really wonder how mental health would be accepted now in a surreal world. In America the government just took all of the money out of the budget and closed all of the buildings down so we can enjoy the Ill as homeless. A lot of those patients should have never even been admitted. Oh what people are willing to do for the money.
7/15 hmmm, the doctors tried a REGIMENT of medications on Henry VI…I wonder what that was like….you know….considering his catatonia and all. A whole regiment…you keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means
Well that was weird
The author just referred to Henry VIII’s illegitimate son as Henry Blount. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone do that. I mean yes technically it is correct, but I’ve always read Henry Fitzroy. Now I’m racking my brain for any Tudor book I’ve ever come across, especially those that dealt with the Royal children, and no, i don’t think I’ve ever read that the Duke of Richmond ever used his mother’s last name. Hmmmmm….anyone please comment if and where you may have seen this.p
Because I’m still waiting to read which REGIMENT Henry VI will be using
November 20, 2022
We can all learn something from Juliana Cummings' new book about the development of mental illness treatments through the ages - an interesting history lesson.
This is an excellent book that provides a comprehensive history of insanity and the asylum. Juliana Cummings does an excellent job of questioning what behaviours and characteristics define insanity, and leads us through a well-researched history of how treatments and institutional structures for caring for the mentally ill have changed over the years.
The book is well-researched and gives a thorough review of the history of insanity and asylums.
It's fascinating to learn about how mental-health treatments and institutional systems evolved and altered throughout time.
The book is filled with interesting anecdotes and examples. If you're interested in learning about psychiatry, mental illness, or just want to know more about history, then this is a book you won't want to miss.
Thank you to Juliana Cummings, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.
This title will be out on Jan 30, 2023.
This is an excellent book that provides a comprehensive history of insanity and the asylum. Juliana Cummings does an excellent job of questioning what behaviours and characteristics define insanity, and leads us through a well-researched history of how treatments and institutional structures for caring for the mentally ill have changed over the years.
The book is well-researched and gives a thorough review of the history of insanity and asylums.
It's fascinating to learn about how mental-health treatments and institutional systems evolved and altered throughout time.
The book is filled with interesting anecdotes and examples. If you're interested in learning about psychiatry, mental illness, or just want to know more about history, then this is a book you won't want to miss.
Thank you to Juliana Cummings, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.
This title will be out on Jan 30, 2023.
November 26, 2022
I received a free copy of A History of Insanity and the Asylum, by Juliana Cummings, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. People with mental issues have gone through a lot in institutions, literal guinea pigs. The horror some of them went through over and over again. Asylums have always fascinated me, this is a really good book about insanity and asylums.
September 7, 2025
لعل الطب النفسي هو من أعجب العلوم التي تطورت في الطب خلال القرون السابقة…
إن فهم سبب المرض هو ما سيحدد طريقة علاجه:
-اختلال في توازن أخلاط وسوائل الجسم—- العلاج المنطقي سيكون الفصد أو الحجامة لإعادة التوازن داخل الجسم.
-غضب إلهي: الدعاء والصلاة
-مس شيطاني: سيكون العلاج أكثر قسوة كاستخدام الضرب لاستخراج الأرواح الشريرة كما يحدث في بعض المجتمعات اليوم وكما كان يحدث في القرون الوسطى، حيث كانت تثقب الجمجمة على شكل صليب من اجل استخراج الارواح الشريرة التي كان يعتقد انها سبب الصداع والتشنجات (تزبد من الفم، تخشب، فقدان وعي)، واحيانا عالجوه بخبز كنسي فيسترد عافيته فورا، وهذا الخبر عبارة عن كاربوهيدرات تحل مشكلة هبوط السكر، واحيانا يرون شخص يقول اشياء مجنونة بشكل متكرر فظنوه مس وهو عبارة عن متلازمة توريت حين يتلفظ الشخص بشتائم وينطقها بدون سابق انذار! خلال تلك العصور التمسوا المساعدة والعلاج من رجال الدين بدلاً من الاطباء، فكانت النتيجة ان الارواح الشريرة هي كبش فداء سهل لجميع الظروف والحالات غير المفهومة، وكان تأسيس المصحات العقلية على يد هؤلاء الرجال. ومن اشهر المستشفيات مستشفى بيدلام الذي ضم نزلاء يعانون من صعوبة في التعلم والصرع والاورام وكل من رُمي بالجنون في القرن ١٤، و أول مرة يتم تعيين طبيب فيه كمدير طبي كان في القرن ١٧.
كان مرضى بيدلام يعانون من سوء التغذية وكانوا يعطون كمية قليلة من الطعام بسبب نظرية الاخلاط الاربعة والتي تطلب اعطاء كمية قليلة لاستعادة حالة التوازن، وأعطي المرضى المسهلات لتطهير الجهاز الهضمي واستعادة سلامة العقل، واستخدم الضرب لعلاج الجنون لكونه مساً شيطانياً. فتح المستشفى كمعلم سياحي لتحصيل رسوم في مقابل السماح للناس بالتجوال ورؤية المرضى المختلين عقليا لاسيما في فترة العطلات وكأنها المكان حديقة حيوانات يأتي لها الناس للتسلية. كان يعتقد ان الاكتئاب او المالنخوليا يحصل بسبب زيادة السائل الأسود بين الأخلاط الأربعة في الجسم.
في القرن العشرين عالج الأطباء المرض المصاب بالفصام بإخضاعه لشبه غيبوبة من خلال صدمات الأنسولين التي من الممكن أن تكون مميتة!
إن فهم سبب المرض هو ما سيحدد طريقة علاجه:
-اختلال في توازن أخلاط وسوائل الجسم—- العلاج المنطقي سيكون الفصد أو الحجامة لإعادة التوازن داخل الجسم.
-غضب إلهي: الدعاء والصلاة
-مس شيطاني: سيكون العلاج أكثر قسوة كاستخدام الضرب لاستخراج الأرواح الشريرة كما يحدث في بعض المجتمعات اليوم وكما كان يحدث في القرون الوسطى، حيث كانت تثقب الجمجمة على شكل صليب من اجل استخراج الارواح الشريرة التي كان يعتقد انها سبب الصداع والتشنجات (تزبد من الفم، تخشب، فقدان وعي)، واحيانا عالجوه بخبز كنسي فيسترد عافيته فورا، وهذا الخبر عبارة عن كاربوهيدرات تحل مشكلة هبوط السكر، واحيانا يرون شخص يقول اشياء مجنونة بشكل متكرر فظنوه مس وهو عبارة عن متلازمة توريت حين يتلفظ الشخص بشتائم وينطقها بدون سابق انذار! خلال تلك العصور التمسوا المساعدة والعلاج من رجال الدين بدلاً من الاطباء، فكانت النتيجة ان الارواح الشريرة هي كبش فداء سهل لجميع الظروف والحالات غير المفهومة، وكان تأسيس المصحات العقلية على يد هؤلاء الرجال. ومن اشهر المستشفيات مستشفى بيدلام الذي ضم نزلاء يعانون من صعوبة في التعلم والصرع والاورام وكل من رُمي بالجنون في القرن ١٤، و أول مرة يتم تعيين طبيب فيه كمدير طبي كان في القرن ١٧.
كان مرضى بيدلام يعانون من سوء التغذية وكانوا يعطون كمية قليلة من الطعام بسبب نظرية الاخلاط الاربعة والتي تطلب اعطاء كمية قليلة لاستعادة حالة التوازن، وأعطي المرضى المسهلات لتطهير الجهاز الهضمي واستعادة سلامة العقل، واستخدم الضرب لعلاج الجنون لكونه مساً شيطانياً. فتح المستشفى كمعلم سياحي لتحصيل رسوم في مقابل السماح للناس بالتجوال ورؤية المرضى المختلين عقليا لاسيما في فترة العطلات وكأنها المكان حديقة حيوانات يأتي لها الناس للتسلية. كان يعتقد ان الاكتئاب او المالنخوليا يحصل بسبب زيادة السائل الأسود بين الأخلاط الأربعة في الجسم.
في القرن العشرين عالج الأطباء المرض المصاب بالفصام بإخضاعه لشبه غيبوبة من خلال صدمات الأنسولين التي من الممكن أن تكون مميتة!
January 16, 2023
A History of Insanity and the Asylum is a heart bruising and compelling dive into the topic from ancient times to the recent closure of asylums. The author describes those who both positively and negatively impacted our knowledge of mental health.
Sufferers were often misunderstood and viewed as evil and therefore treated abysmally, especially women. Bedlam, public viewing, the wandering womb, malnourishment, workhouse-like conditions of Magdalene asylums and Hitler's barbarism are detailed. Creatives including Mozart and Poe who suffered from depression are mentioned. But not all treated patients with disdain; Thomas Kirkbride opened asylums where patients were shown proper attention and care. Others like him gave hope.
Various treatments such as insulin therapy, bloodletting, leucotomies, trepanning, purging, restricting movement and rotation therapy are discussed.
If this subject fascinates you, especially if you are new to it, do read this. Those who are more acquainted with it may find it a bit less informative. Nonetheless, it is interesting.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this engrossing book.
Sufferers were often misunderstood and viewed as evil and therefore treated abysmally, especially women. Bedlam, public viewing, the wandering womb, malnourishment, workhouse-like conditions of Magdalene asylums and Hitler's barbarism are detailed. Creatives including Mozart and Poe who suffered from depression are mentioned. But not all treated patients with disdain; Thomas Kirkbride opened asylums where patients were shown proper attention and care. Others like him gave hope.
Various treatments such as insulin therapy, bloodletting, leucotomies, trepanning, purging, restricting movement and rotation therapy are discussed.
If this subject fascinates you, especially if you are new to it, do read this. Those who are more acquainted with it may find it a bit less informative. Nonetheless, it is interesting.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this engrossing book.
December 18, 2025
الترجمة فيها بعض الأخطاء التي يمكن وصفها بالكوميدية، مثلا الفصام الكاتاتوني أصبح الكاتالوني، مع اعتذارنا لكل محبي نادي برشلونة
و عائلة الأدوية المسماة SNRI أصبحت سانري
و عائلة الأدوية المسماة SNRI أصبحت سانري
April 10, 2025
تاريخ الجنون: من المس الشيطاني إلى العلاج النفسي الحديث
لطالما كان الجنون يُنظر إليه على أنه مس شيطاني ("Demonic Possession") ينخر قوى الإنسان الروحية، أو لعنة إلهية تستوجب التوبة والغفران والتقرب من الله. وكانت الطقوس والتعاليم الدينية العصا السحرية للشفاء والتخلص من المس الشيطاني. حتى جاء العلم الحديث بمنهجيته العلمية ("Scientific Methodology") ليغير تلك النظرة القديمة، وتتغير معها دور المصحات العقلية ("Mental Asylums") التي كانت أقرب إلى السجون منها إلى المصحات النفسية الحديثة التي تعنى بعلاج الاضطرابات النفسية ("Mental Disorders") بالطرق الحديثة.
كان القرن العشرين بداية إعادة هيكلة المصحات العقلية لتكون مشفى حقيقيًا للاضطرابات النفسية، يُستخدم فيها العلاج بالصدمات الكهربائية ("Electroconvulsive Therapy") وأنواع مختلفة من العقاقير ("Medications"). وتمت إعادة الاعتبار للإنسان ورعاية حقوقه العلاجية. وهكذا، تم إلغاء المصحات التي كانت تمثل مرحلة لا نهائية من السيطرة واستخدام الجنون كأداة سياسية واجتماعية ودينية للتحكم في المجتمعات.
لطالما كان الجنون يُنظر إليه على أنه مس شيطاني ("Demonic Possession") ينخر قوى الإنسان الروحية، أو لعنة إلهية تستوجب التوبة والغفران والتقرب من الله. وكانت الطقوس والتعاليم الدينية العصا السحرية للشفاء والتخلص من المس الشيطاني. حتى جاء العلم الحديث بمنهجيته العلمية ("Scientific Methodology") ليغير تلك النظرة القديمة، وتتغير معها دور المصحات العقلية ("Mental Asylums") التي كانت أقرب إلى السجون منها إلى المصحات النفسية الحديثة التي تعنى بعلاج الاضطرابات النفسية ("Mental Disorders") بالطرق الحديثة.
كان القرن العشرين بداية إعادة هيكلة المصحات العقلية لتكون مشفى حقيقيًا للاضطرابات النفسية، يُستخدم فيها العلاج بالصدمات الكهربائية ("Electroconvulsive Therapy") وأنواع مختلفة من العقاقير ("Medications"). وتمت إعادة الاعتبار للإنسان ورعاية حقوقه العلاجية. وهكذا، تم إلغاء المصحات التي كانت تمثل مرحلة لا نهائية من السيطرة واستخدام الجنون كأداة سياسية واجتماعية ودينية للتحكم في المجتمعات.
January 20, 2023
It's an interesting, well researched books. It's not always easy to follow but it made me learn more about what was considered insanity and how it was treated.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
December 30, 2022
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword via NetGalley.
Throughout the years, we learn how the treatments and institutional structures for caring for the mentally ill-developed and changed. The Age of Enlightenment and the rise of humanitarian reform was followed by the emergence of the insane asylum in the 1800s, which saw the beginning of the widespread construction of asylums.
Although once thought of as criminals, the mentally ill were gradually treated with care. Juliana discusses the different treatments used over time as attitudes towards the mentally ill changed, such as drug use, psychosurgery, and insulin therapy. We learn of the regulations and reforms that led to the closure of asylums, how their closure affected society, and consider how the mentally ill are treated today.
There was a plethora of useful and insightful information gathered in this book. The only thing I did not like about this book was the organization aspect of it. There were clear time periods listed out but then the author would be on a certain topic and go back to someone from centuries past. It would have made a lot more sense in my opinion to organize it more by topic than date range because the date range was clearly ignored in context.
Throughout the years, we learn how the treatments and institutional structures for caring for the mentally ill-developed and changed. The Age of Enlightenment and the rise of humanitarian reform was followed by the emergence of the insane asylum in the 1800s, which saw the beginning of the widespread construction of asylums.
Although once thought of as criminals, the mentally ill were gradually treated with care. Juliana discusses the different treatments used over time as attitudes towards the mentally ill changed, such as drug use, psychosurgery, and insulin therapy. We learn of the regulations and reforms that led to the closure of asylums, how their closure affected society, and consider how the mentally ill are treated today.
There was a plethora of useful and insightful information gathered in this book. The only thing I did not like about this book was the organization aspect of it. There were clear time periods listed out but then the author would be on a certain topic and go back to someone from centuries past. It would have made a lot more sense in my opinion to organize it more by topic than date range because the date range was clearly ignored in context.
January 27, 2023
A History of Insanity and the Asylum: Not of Sound Mind is exactly as the title advertises. It’s a history of insanity throughout the ages. Cummings brilliantly discusses a topic that has had so many stigmas associated with it throughout most of history. While the cover of the book is “scary”, and arguably, the history of insanity is quite disturbing, she doesn’t glorify this in the writing, and the stories and facts are all written in a respectful way. I particularly appreciated how the author doesn’t talk down to the reader. However, is hardly a book for beginners or a “dummies” guide on the topic, and if you have little grasp of history in general, some chapters might be hard to follow, or at the very least, a slower read.
I previously knew a little bit about the topic of insanity throughout history, primarily from my own enjoyment of horror books and movies and the few undergraduate psychology courses that I took in university. This book is extremely comprehensive, and a lot of information is thrown at the reader. At times, it did feel a little like reading a textbook, and I would have liked for the author to have inserted a little more of her own voice into the writing. After all, that is the reason why we’re reading a book published by a general publisher and not a scholarly book on the topic. That said, she does infuse a somewhat hopeful tone throughout the text, which is refreshing given the dark and depressing subject matter.
All in all, I adored this book, and I’ll definitely be revisiting parts of it when I return to my novel that has parts set in a former asylum.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc to review!
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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My Reading Challenge
I previously knew a little bit about the topic of insanity throughout history, primarily from my own enjoyment of horror books and movies and the few undergraduate psychology courses that I took in university. This book is extremely comprehensive, and a lot of information is thrown at the reader. At times, it did feel a little like reading a textbook, and I would have liked for the author to have inserted a little more of her own voice into the writing. After all, that is the reason why we’re reading a book published by a general publisher and not a scholarly book on the topic. That said, she does infuse a somewhat hopeful tone throughout the text, which is refreshing given the dark and depressing subject matter.
All in all, I adored this book, and I’ll definitely be revisiting parts of it when I return to my novel that has parts set in a former asylum.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc to review!
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Twitter
My Reading Challenge
December 9, 2022
A History of Insanity and the Asylum by Julianna Cummings is adequate as a popular history but may well be less appreciated by those with more knowledge in the subject matter. But as an overview it can serve as a springboard for readers to learn more elsewhere.
I won't go into a long drawn-out exposition that serves more to show how much I think I know, someone has already done that and showed the opposite. Probably the biggest sticking point for me was Cummings' willingness to claim that all of these procedures were created and performed from some deep desire on the part of the practitioners to help people. There are simply too many accounts of these people having not very altruistic intentions. Everything from sadism to simply wanting to make a name for themselves. While many did want to help people, many really didn't care. So to say they all cared makes me wonder if a distant, or not so distant, family member was among the practitioners and this is polishing the family name.
While there were a few questionable historical generalizations, these were more just an annoyance than things that affected the main point of the book. The details about the procedures themselves were a bit disturbing but, for me, they helped to make the barbarity of the actions more apparent. That could be a negative for some readers but I thought it helped.
I would recommend this to readers with no previous knowledge and who just want a general overview of what has passed for psychiatric care in the past. Those who have done some research and/or study in the area might want to steer clear.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I won't go into a long drawn-out exposition that serves more to show how much I think I know, someone has already done that and showed the opposite. Probably the biggest sticking point for me was Cummings' willingness to claim that all of these procedures were created and performed from some deep desire on the part of the practitioners to help people. There are simply too many accounts of these people having not very altruistic intentions. Everything from sadism to simply wanting to make a name for themselves. While many did want to help people, many really didn't care. So to say they all cared makes me wonder if a distant, or not so distant, family member was among the practitioners and this is polishing the family name.
While there were a few questionable historical generalizations, these were more just an annoyance than things that affected the main point of the book. The details about the procedures themselves were a bit disturbing but, for me, they helped to make the barbarity of the actions more apparent. That could be a negative for some readers but I thought it helped.
I would recommend this to readers with no previous knowledge and who just want a general overview of what has passed for psychiatric care in the past. Those who have done some research and/or study in the area might want to steer clear.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 12, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: Mental health issues are nothing new. There have been reports of the various sicknesses of the mind from the deep dark crevices of the past. Initially humans thought the gods were responsible for ailments and then humans thought that there were humours that caused them, often with a touch of the supernatural too. How the poor souls were treated has varied from culture to culture and from time frame to time frame. Much of what was observed when observations and conclusions were made turned out to be wrong. On occasion, there was a revelation that has proven the test of time. Too often the diagnoses and treatments were tainted by hatred and bigotry.
The same is true with asylums and the care of the afflicted in them. Some of the stories are harrowing to the extreme. Even in our so-called enlightened modern times, things that were considered reasonable has since been found to be barbaric. It makes the reader wonder what is hailed as a breakthrough today will, at some future point, be ridiculed for its misconceptions. At least, we can claim a larger understanding and acceptance of insanity. Whether we have uncovered the best way to deal with it is another question entirely.
It is an interesting journey outlined in the book. Four purrs and two paws up.
The same is true with asylums and the care of the afflicted in them. Some of the stories are harrowing to the extreme. Even in our so-called enlightened modern times, things that were considered reasonable has since been found to be barbaric. It makes the reader wonder what is hailed as a breakthrough today will, at some future point, be ridiculed for its misconceptions. At least, we can claim a larger understanding and acceptance of insanity. Whether we have uncovered the best way to deal with it is another question entirely.
It is an interesting journey outlined in the book. Four purrs and two paws up.
November 24, 2022
Have you ever wondered who thought: “maybe if I shock this person with electricity he’ll start feeling better?” In this informative volume, Juliana Cummings answers that, and many, many other questions you probably never thought you had. From the beginning of history, humans have been plagued by mental illness and some people have tried to help. The Egyptians, the Greeks, Medieval doctors, everyone has had a method to understand something so complex as the mind. Victorians are infamous for their treatment of hysteria. When you hear about mental asylums and the treatments, which were sometimes unspeakably cruel, it’s hard to believe that they were just trying to help, but Cummings has an interesting outlook on all this: the methods may have been misguided, but the intent was mostly to cure these diseases. She discusses schizophrenia, the medications that have managed to help, the architecture of the asylums, the historical outlook on the subject and even mental health today. There are some texts from the time, anecdotes and some approachable science. This is a great book for laypeople looking to learn about the issue.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Pen & Sword History!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Pen & Sword History!
November 14, 2022
An in-depth history of the diagnosis and treatment of mentally Ill people from ancient times up until the closure of the Asylums in the NHS.
This is a difficult and somber read.
The author has meticulously researched the subject and I was very impressed with the depth to which she goes into detail.
It’s both fascinating and saddening to read that mental health has always been viewed in a harsh and cruel way, with often brutal and ridiculous ideas of how to cure people.
When you hear the word Asylum you would usually think of Bedlam, the Victorian era alongside a workhouse society, but I have to admit that while I found the entire book uncomfortable to read, I found the chapter on eugenics incredibly disturbing.
This is a very difficult subject to write about and I felt that the author has dedicated hours and hours to finding out as much as possible through research and finding the right tone for the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
This is a difficult and somber read.
The author has meticulously researched the subject and I was very impressed with the depth to which she goes into detail.
It’s both fascinating and saddening to read that mental health has always been viewed in a harsh and cruel way, with often brutal and ridiculous ideas of how to cure people.
When you hear the word Asylum you would usually think of Bedlam, the Victorian era alongside a workhouse society, but I have to admit that while I found the entire book uncomfortable to read, I found the chapter on eugenics incredibly disturbing.
This is a very difficult subject to write about and I felt that the author has dedicated hours and hours to finding out as much as possible through research and finding the right tone for the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
April 29, 2025
“أنه من الدماغ، ومن الدماغ فقط، تنبع متعنا وأفراحنا وضحكتنا ومزاحنا، وكذلك أحزاننا وآلامنا ومخاوفنا ودموعنا، فمن خلاله على وجه الخصوص، نفكر ونرى ونسمع ونميز القبيح من الجميل والشر من الخير، واللطيف من البغيض، وهو الشئ نفسه الذي يجعلنا نصاب بالجنون أو الهذيان"
أبقراط
نحن ممتنون دوماً للعلم والتطور الذي جعلنا نتعلم ونفهم أكثر عن الأمراض العقلية ومحاولة علاجها بطرق انسانية أكثر مما كان يحدث في العصور السابقة التي تعاملت مع المرض العقلي تارة كلعنة من الرب ومس شيطاني وتارة رغم المحاولات الجادة لعلاجه ولكن بطرق غير إنسانية ومؤلمة ومن خلال هذا الكتاب نفهم الكثير من تاريخ الأمراض العقلية.
أبقراط
نحن ممتنون دوماً للعلم والتطور الذي جعلنا نتعلم ونفهم أكثر عن الأمراض العقلية ومحاولة علاجها بطرق انسانية أكثر مما كان يحدث في العصور السابقة التي تعاملت مع المرض العقلي تارة كلعنة من الرب ومس شيطاني وتارة رغم المحاولات الجادة لعلاجه ولكن بطرق غير إنسانية ومؤلمة ومن خلال هذا الكتاب نفهم الكثير من تاريخ الأمراض العقلية.
November 28, 2022
This was such an interesting read that taught me so much. It was a heavy read that was full of horrific facts but it was also such an important read, as I think it is important to know what people with mental health went through under the umbrella of caring for them and also how things have changed - or not in some cases.
A hard hitting yet important and informative read.
A hard hitting yet important and informative read.
January 6, 2023
Anyone with an interest in history or medicine will love this book. An interesting and fascinating book looking at the history of treatment of mental illness throughout the ages. The treatments, attitudes and imprisonment in some ages will equally horrify and fascinate as you read through the book.
I really liked the style of writing.
I really liked the style of writing.
March 20, 2024
A History of Insanity and the Asylum by Juliana Cummings is a journey into the history of asylums. Cummings delves into the meaning of what defines insanity and the treatment for those who suffered from mental illness from the Middle Ages until modern times. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this well-researched and fascinating book.
December 6, 2022
Brilliant book, so much history about asylums etc and I have read many books like this and found this one be the best
Well written and shows care to the history of those involved
Well written and shows care to the history of those involved
July 27, 2025
This starts a little too dry, listing the start of asylums and how they were used by English society for the mentally ill. It is all good knowledge but not personality behind it. As we move into actual treatments and the researchers who develop them it becomes more interesting and you get a feel for the history behind them.
January 30, 2023
This was an eye opening deep dive into the history to insanity and the asylum, written with great detail, but not densely.
I learned many new things I had no knowledge of. This goes over the good and the bad. How poorly the mentally ill had been treated, how those without mental illness, but just undesirable were locked away under the pretense of being deemed insane. This goes into the science behind it all, the discoveries and the growth of humane practices.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to further inform themselves about the history of asylums and scope of how medicine and procedure has changed through the centuries. This was so compelling!
I learned many new things I had no knowledge of. This goes over the good and the bad. How poorly the mentally ill had been treated, how those without mental illness, but just undesirable were locked away under the pretense of being deemed insane. This goes into the science behind it all, the discoveries and the growth of humane practices.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to further inform themselves about the history of asylums and scope of how medicine and procedure has changed through the centuries. This was so compelling!
February 25, 2023
This book gives a history of insanity and the variations of asylums from the ancient Greeks to present. Some of the content is disturbing, especially the second to last chapter about Nazi Germany. The history is fascinating, especially seeing the evolution of mental health treatment and the attempts to make it more humane and more gentle. There is emphasis on bright sunlight, gardens and making people feel like part of a community.
There are also the darker parts where people were chained, given lobotomies with an ice pick and the fact that women could be committed by husbands simply for disobeying them.
I hope this book when released has pictures of the asylum structures she mentions at their core when England was attempting to reform their asylums. I had difficulty picturing some of them, especially since the author describes them such as the reader should be familiar with these structures. I am neither an architect nor a Brit, so most England asylums wouldn't be familiar to me.
The book does focus primary on the UK but there is some discussion of the US and other parts of the world.
My one issue is with the structure. The book seemed chaotic in it's organization, almost as though the writer had organized her chapters and then felt she should add something else here or there that made them go on far too long. While a nonfiction book doesn't usually read like a novel, this one felt more like I was reading a research paper than a book. Since this is an ARC, the final version will hopefully be more polished.
Overall, a fascinating glimpse into a slice of history of mental illness and its treatment. Sadly, treatments and stigma for the diagnosis have not much changed even since Victorian times.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
There are also the darker parts where people were chained, given lobotomies with an ice pick and the fact that women could be committed by husbands simply for disobeying them.
I hope this book when released has pictures of the asylum structures she mentions at their core when England was attempting to reform their asylums. I had difficulty picturing some of them, especially since the author describes them such as the reader should be familiar with these structures. I am neither an architect nor a Brit, so most England asylums wouldn't be familiar to me.
The book does focus primary on the UK but there is some discussion of the US and other parts of the world.
My one issue is with the structure. The book seemed chaotic in it's organization, almost as though the writer had organized her chapters and then felt she should add something else here or there that made them go on far too long. While a nonfiction book doesn't usually read like a novel, this one felt more like I was reading a research paper than a book. Since this is an ARC, the final version will hopefully be more polished.
Overall, a fascinating glimpse into a slice of history of mental illness and its treatment. Sadly, treatments and stigma for the diagnosis have not much changed even since Victorian times.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
July 2, 2024
I found this such a fascinating and traumatic read in places. The way it covered the complete history of asylums was done really well and i liked how it presented these facts in an objective way whilst still having compassion for the patients and those who suffered. This was well researched and i thought the focus and presentation was good. It kept me hooked all the way through and i couldn't put it down!
I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
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