The Chronicles Of Psychiatry: Landmark Cases That Shaped The Civil Rights Of Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

A thoughtful survey of the history of psychiatry sheds light on a rich and intricate story of our evolving understanding, experience, and treatment of mental illness through time. These chronicles are at once a show of human curiosity for the mind-body connection, and an experiment in cruel and unusual treatment of illnesses that have proven difficult to quantify through both ancient and modern scientific means. It is the latter that makes an ethical study of the past so vital in a concerted effort to write a more just future for all patients. This paper provides a survey of the history of mental health and psychiatry from ancient Egypt to modern-day America, highlighting the injustices suffered by patients with mental illness throughout all times with a particular focus on the burden shouldered by vulnerable and underprivileged persons, minorities, and urban populations. Through an analysis of landmark American cases, it examines the establishment of civil rights for psychiatric patients in the areas of: the right to treatment, right to refuse treatment, and civil commitment. Drawing upon these precedents and historical contexts, this paper explores how the principles of bioethics can be applied to the future of psychiatry with respect to emerging trends like the use of social media, telehealth, gene editing, and AI/VR in medicine. By thoughtfully reflecting on the past and applying the lessons we have gleaned to the future, this thesis aims to promote a more ethical and equitable approach to mental healthcare, one that protects and actively fosters the empowerment of all patients, regardless of background, mental status, or socioeconomic status.