Disalienation: Politics, Philosophy, and Radical Psychiatry in Postwar France

During World War II, a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole resisted the "soft extermination" of patients by the Vichy regime by hoarding food and reevaluating psychiatric care. This movement, known as institutional psychotherapy, had a profound influence on postwar French thought and is explored in Disalienation by Camille Robcis.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 10 May 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
\n

From 1940 to 1945, a staggering forty thousand patients lost their lives in French psychiatric hospitals, victims of the Vichy regimes "soft extermination" policy. Under these conditions, patients faced agonizing deaths due to cold, starvation, or neglect. However, in the small village of Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, located in central France, a remarkable exception emerged. In defiance of the oppressive regime, a psychiatric hospital took a bold stance. With the unwavering support of the local community, the staff at this hospital embarked on a heroic mission: they hoarded food, sparing no effort to keep their patients alive. Beyond survival, they embarked on a transformative journey, reevaluating the very foundations of psychiatric care. This movement, known as institutional psychotherapy, would go on to exert a profound influence on postwar French thought.

In his book Disalienation, Camille Robcis delves into the profound ethical implications articulated at Saint-Alban by examining the thought leaders behind this movement. These thinkers include François Tosquelles, Frantz Fanon, Félix Guattari, and Michel Foucault. Robcis's study, while centered on the history of one hospital, encompasses a vast geographic context, including revolutionary Spain, occupied France, colonial Algeria, and beyond. It situates the institutional psychotherapy movement within the broader political-economic landscape, from fascism to Stalinism to postwar capitalism.

Through his meticulous research, Robcis sheds light on the ethical principles that guided the staff at Saint-Alban. They recognized the inherent dignity and worth of every patient, challenging the dehumanizing practices prevalent in psychiatric care. They advocated for a holistic approach that prioritized empathy, understanding, and support, recognizing the complex interplay between mental illness and social and political factors.

The movement's impact extended beyond the confines of Saint-Alban. It inspired similar initiatives in other psychiatric hospitals and influenced the broader field of psychology. Institutional psychotherapy emphasized the importance of community involvement and collaboration, challenging the notion of isolation and separation. It paved the way for a more humanistic and compassionate approach to mental health care, emphasizing the need for social and political reform.

Disalienation is a thought-provoking and deeply researched work that sheds light on the historical and ethical dimensions of institutional psychotherapy. It serves as a reminder of the power of human resilience and the transformative potential of compassion in the face of adversity. By exploring the legacy of Saint-Alban and its impact on postwar French thought, Robcis offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complexities of mental health and the urgent need for a more just and equitable society.

\n Weight: 486g\n
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226777603\n \n