Defining Insanity: a Comparative Study of British and American Treatment of the Mentally Ill, 1880-2018

Abstract

The paper explores the historical changes which are unknown in psychiatric facilities within Oklahoma and London. The changes in the mental health field involve the moral care for the mentally ill population during the 19th century and the rehabilitation process during the early 20th century. There have been gradual convergences in the treatment and care of patients in mental hospitals. These comparisons serve as a logical pairing representing a financial difference. Both represent the severity of mental illness, by applying moral treatment for insanity through disciplined living in a healthful environment and psychiatric rehabilitation emphasizing different interventions throughout the years and the investments made in Oklahoma's mental health system. The difference is exemplified with the use of training manuals in Oklahoma. These training manuals rely on the collection of documents held at the Oklahoma Archives and Records and Oklahoma federal court library. Other documents are held in London located at the British National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, and the British Library.