What is the History of mental disorders in US?

1600s:

* The first mental hospitals in the United States were built in the 1700s. These hospitals were often called "insane asylums" or "lunatic asylums."

* The mentally ill were often treated inhumanely in these hospitals. They were often locked up in small, dark cells and denied food, water, and basic hygiene.

* The mentally ill were also often subjected to physical abuse and torture. This abuse was often justified on the grounds that it was necessary to "cure" the mentally ill.

1800s:

* In the early 1800s, a new approach to treating the mentally ill began to emerge. This approach, known as "moral treatment," focused on providing the mentally ill with humane care and treatment.

* Moral treatment hospitals were often located in rural areas, and they provided patients with a variety of activities, including exercise, work, and social interaction.

* The goal of moral treatment was to help the mentally ill recover from their illnesses and return to society.

1900s:

* In the early 1900s, a new era in the treatment of mental illness began with the development of new medications. These medications, known as "psychoactive drugs" could be used to treat a variety of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

* The use of psychoactive drugs revolutionized the treatment of mental illness. It made it possible for many mentally ill people to live normal, productive lives.

* In the late 1900s, a new movement called "deinstitutionalization" began. This movement aimed to close down mental hospitals and move mentally ill people into community-based settings.

* Deinstitutionalization had a number of benefits. It allowed mentally ill people to live more independently and to be closer to their families and friends. It also reduced the stigma associated with mental illness.

Today:

* Today, mental illness is still a major public health problem. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness.

* Mental illness can have a significant impact on a person's life. It can interfere with their ability to work, go to school, and maintain relationships.

* There is a wide range of treatments available for mental illness. These treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and support groups.

* With treatment, many mentally ill people can live full and productive lives.