Mental Hospital (1953)

[Fauntleroy.]

One of my great-grandmothers suffered from what we'd probably now call PTSD. She was a World War II refugee. They lost everything, including two babies. She couldn't work anymore by the time they got to the USA, so the doctors here suggested shock therapy for her depression and panic attacks. When that didn't work, they lobotomized her. She became childlike and spent 25 years in a place like this. My grandma had four babies herself and couldn't take care of her mother, who needed around the clock care and supervision. The guilt from that haunted my grandma all her life. The nice old 50s weren't always so nice. Love you, Granny. ❤️ You didn't know. You did your best.

[fretboardmaster]

In the 70s we had at our junior school, an old chap who used to walk the school grounds, cut the grass and paint white lines on the playing field. He had a younger brother who was the school janitor. I once over heard the janitor tell the school principal that “ my brothers been away and had that electro shock treatment” that always stuck in my mind. I felt sorry for him afterwards

[Initium]

I was put into a psych-ward after a severe depressive episode. I was put on hold for 3 days. I was extremely depressed, it was horrible (the way I felt).
I didn't belong in a psych-ward, the staff was fantastic BUT I was scared. I felt like I was never going to get out, I had no family so I didn't get visits and I was too embarrassed to tell the few close friends I had.
I thought they would see that no one was visiting me and think that I was crazy. I thought they would see me go into my room and cry because I was lonely and think I was crazy. I have very thick hair for a guy and it looked a mess after a day, I thought they would leave me there because of my appearance. I would walk around the ward all day as I was so bored and would get scared because I thought they would think I was crazy for doing this.
I almost lost my job (I had a high position at a large corporation) - I called in but I NEVER called in for 7 years straight.
Again, the staff was very good and I am thankful for them BUT I was surprised that I could be forced there and that it would be for 3 days - I am still upset about that.
Ultimately during that phase in life, I had addiction issues, horrible depression - I lost 3 people close to me and my GF left me suddenly. In the end, I got fired, I lost my condo and a lot of my retirement. All I have is my 15 year old dachshund - I've done odd jobs but I have yet to regain full time employment (it's been 10 months!) - I actually get the line "you're overqualified" - I hate that. I don't know if I will ever or want to climb the corporate chain again. I want a paycheck, healthcare and a 401k - I miss that. I'm 45 and I'm starting all over again. It's so weird.

[TrollWasteland]

@6:51 the "competent medical examiners" just shine a flashlight in a guy's eye and nod to each like "Yep those are dead eyes. Send him to the snake pit"

[patriciahayes]

Very interesting video. It must be remembered that psychiatry was still in its infancy back then, and schizophrenia was new territory as far as drug therapy went. Insulin-shock was common treatment for it. Electroshock therapy was used for manic depression (bipolar disorder), and lithium was added later when it was shown to be effective for treating manic episodes.

[stephenwoodman]

My doctor had told me I had a bad case of nerves and suggested smoking menthol cigarettes. 60 years later, I still do. I

[distant]

Thanks my left ear really enjoyed this.

[Asr.]

Can’t imagine what really went on behind closed doors for real!! After that video they took. They made it look like Disney Land!!!

[eggmab]

Did some research on the insulin shock therapy, very interesting because I hadn't heard about it at all. I read that after a high dose of insulin patients would slip into a somewhat of a "controlled coma" and some psychiatrists would purposely give these patients seizures they were thought to be therapeutic? Weird stuff.

[KyzylReap]

I believe this was filmed at Griffin Memorial Hospital, formerly Central State Hospital, in Norman, Oklahoma.

[lisasheba]

Dr said.." why do you think they're doing you this way?" And I died!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[mynameisb.]

"A cigarette from the Doctor." 😂😂😂😂😂

[LilySchuller]

i'm so terrified that if i was born back then this could've been my reality

[Senacacrane]

Thank you for uploading this. I really enjoyed this.

[dbx]

They made no reference to, "The Lead Pill Treatment." Wherein a 125grain piece of lead, .357 Thousandths of an inch in diameter, traveling at 1300 feet per second, is directed to travel through the patient's head. Incredibly, the treatment takes only a fraction of a second. As far as the treatments success, patients are unwilling to comment.

[MinaOmega]

Mmm... terrifying. Thanks for sharing.

[RaptorChickG]

17:00 "A cigarette from the doctor, and Fred's hand is steady!" Classic!

[melanysmith]

And today the mentally ill are homeless and very hungry so we need a better solution

[ellporter]

Makes me wonder how many scenes on this movie were acted and how many were real.

[dolphinman]

I can’t imagine something more horrifying then a psychological asylum during the 50s