History of Psychiatric Illness

Mental Illness has evolved from the harsh treatment of asylum and brutal criticisms of the public to managing symptoms with miracle drugs and empowering patients. Looking back on the manner how mentally ill persons received (supposedly) the right medical treatment, we reflect on our present practices. Have we really overcome the stigma of mental illness? Or, are we still living in the dark ages?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Jail is a frequent residence for McMurphy, whose latest conviction is for statutory rape. Rather than spending time behind bars, he decides it might be easier to serve his time in a psychiatric hospital, so he "plays mad." The plan works, but McMurphy soon discovers that life isn't so great in an asylum. The rules are looser, but some of the privileges he associated with prison - like being able to watch the World Series on TV - do not apply. Undaunted, McMurphy begins to make himself the most popular man in the ward, appealing to types as diverse as the diminutive, talkative Martini (Danny DeVito) and the tall deaf-mute American Indian, who is known as "The Chief" (Will Sampson). There to thwart McMurphy at every turn is Nurse Ratched, whose methods of treatment are so proscribed by rules and regulations that she can't see she's sometimes doing more harm than good.

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