Treatments toward mental health and those with mental illness have come a long way over the centuries. From drilling holes in patients’ skulls to gaining an understanding of mental disorders at a cellular level, attitudes toward mental illnesses have changed greatly over the years. The treatment of mental disorders dates back to around 5,000 B.C.E. in Persia, modern-day Iran, where these disorders were treated as supernatural phenomenon. Early theories did not only look at mental illness as supernatural ailments. Greek physicians, like Hippocrates, treated mental disorders as ailments of the body rather than of a spiritual or supernatural nature.
According to Marc Jutras, in association with the British Columbia Journal of Medicine, “Departing from a simplistic view [centered] on supernatural causes, modern theories in the early 20th century began to recognize mental disorders as unique disease entities, and two main theories of psychodynamics and behaviorism emerged as potential explanations for their causes. With the increasing acceptance of mental illness as a unique form of pathology, official diagnostic classification systems were adopted, new avenues of research spawned, and modern approaches to treatment incorporating pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy were established.”
During the early 20th century, there was an emergence of medical researchers and practicing medical doctors doing research in the new fields of psychology and psychopathology. One of the first movements in this era were psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories. According to Dr. Timothy Razza, associate professor at NSU’s College of Psychology, “There was therapy that was being done prior to Freud’s visit to the United States, but Freud credits that visit as helping to expand the recognition of psychoanalysis. It also helped to expand psychotherapy as a useful and effective intervention.” Freud was not the first psychologist, but at the time, he was at the top of the field of both psychology and psychiatry. Freud’s influence helped to make way for future research. As Razza is fond of saying, all the theories that followed Freud were in response to Freud.
Some early theories in the field were researched not only as a criticism of Freud’s work, but also as a way of bringing about the benefits of psychology and practices that improve mental health. Humanistic psychology was developed as a way to branch off from the way that psychology was practiced at the time. Most theories at that time said everything people did was predetermined, whereas the humanistic school of thought brought forth the basics of how psychotherapy is practiced today.
Over the years, psychology has progressed greatly, but when it comes to mental health, there is still room to grow.
