Material Cultures of Psychiatry

This book explores the history of psychiatry through the lens of material cultures, highlighting the agency and imagination of staff and patients and challenging traditional narratives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

In the past, our perceptions of psychiatric hospitals and their history have been deeply influenced by objects such as straitjackets, cribs, and binding belts. These powerful tools were commonly used as a synonym for psychiatry and the manner in which psychiatric patients were treated, yet there remains a limited understanding of the agency and appropriation of these objects by staff and patients. By shifting our focus to material cultures, this book presents a fresh perspective on the history of psychiatry. It enables a narrative in which practicing psychiatry is intricately intertwined with a complex web of power negotiations. Scholars from diverse academic disciplines demonstrate how this material-based approach unveils new insights into the agency and imaginative capacities of individuals within psychiatry.

The use of these objects in psychiatric institutions has a long and complex history. Initially, they were employed as a means of restraint and control, often used to prevent patients from harming themselves or others. However, over time, these objects came to be seen as symbols of the oppressive nature of psychiatric treatment and were criticized for their inhumane and dehumanizing effects.

Despite these criticisms, straitjackets, cribs, and binding belts continued to be used in psychiatric institutions until the late 20th century. In some cases, they were even used as a form of punishment, with patients being subjected to prolonged periods of restraint or isolation. However, there were also efforts to reduce the use of these objects and to promote more humane and effective treatment methods.

One of the most significant developments in the history of psychiatric hospitals was the introduction of psychotropic medications. These drugs were designed to treat mental illness and were seen as a more effective and less invasive alternative to traditional restraint and control methods. However, the use of psychotropic medications also raised concerns about their potential side effects and the power dynamics that can arise between patients and medical professionals.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the agency and imagination of individuals within psychiatric institutions. Scholars from a range of disciplines, including history, sociology, and cultural studies, have explored the ways in which these individuals have resisted and subverted the power structures that exist within these institutions. They have also examined the ways in which these individuals have created their own forms of resistance and resilience, often through artistic and creative practices.

One example of this is the work of artist and activist Carrie Mae Weems, who has used her art to explore the experiences of individuals living with mental illness. Weems' work often incorporates images of herself and other individuals living with mental illness, as well as objects and symbols that are associated with psychiatric institutions. Through her art, Weems challenges the dominant narratives of mental illness and promotes a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of these individuals.

Another example is the work of the Mad Pride movement, which emerged in the 1990s as a response to the stigmatization and discrimination faced by individuals living with mental illness. The Mad Pride movement has organized events and activities that celebrate the diversity and resilience of individuals living with mental illness, and has also worked to challenge the power structures that exist within psychiatric institutions.

In conclusion, the history of psychiatric hospitals and their use of objects such as straitjackets, cribs, and binding belts is a complex and multifaceted issue. While these objects were initially employed as a means of restraint and control, they came to be seen as symbols of the oppressive nature of psychiatric treatment. However, there have been efforts to reduce the use of these objects and to promote more humane and effective treatment methods. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the agency and imagination of individuals within psychiatric institutions, who have used their own forms of resistance and resilience to challenge the power structures that exist within these institutions. By examining the material cultures.

Weight: 874g
Dimension: 173 x 239 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837647884