Why is a lobotomy performed?
A lobotomy is a surgical procedure that severs the connections between the frontal lobes of the brain and the rest of the brain. It was once used to treat a variety of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Lobotomies were first performed in the 1930s and were popularized by the Portuguese neurologist António Egas Moniz. Moniz believed that severing the connections between the frontal lobes and the rest of the brain could relieve the symptoms of mental illness. He performed the first lobotomy in 1935 and reported that it was successful in treating a woman with schizophrenia.
Lobotomies quickly gained popularity in the United States and other countries. By the 1950s, more than 50,000 lobotomies had been performed in the United States alone. However, the procedure soon fell out of favor due to its high rate of complications and the development of more effective treatments for mental illness.
Lobotomies are now considered a barbaric and unethical procedure. They are no longer performed in any country.
Complications of lobotomy
Lobotomies can cause a variety of complications, including:
* Personality changes
* Lack of motivation
* Inability to think abstractly
* Impulsivity
* Incontinence
* Seizures
* Death
Lobotomies can also lead to a condition called "post-lobotomy syndrome." This syndrome is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including:
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Apathy
* Irritability
* Difficulty concentrating
* Memory loss
Post-lobotomy syndrome can last for months or even years. It can severely impair the quality of life of the person who has had a lobotomy.
Alternatives to lobotomy
There are a number of alternative treatments for mental illness that are much safer and more effective than lobotomy. These treatments include:
* Medication
* Psychotherapy
* Electroconvulsive therapy
* Transcranial magnetic stimulation
These treatments can help to relieve the symptoms of mental illness without the risk of serious complications.