Bipolar Disorder:Then And Now

What people in the Middle Ages thought of bipolar and how they dealt with it is not a pretty picture. Through no fault of their own, aside from fear and lack of knowledge, people in this age inflicted some cruel and unusual punishment upon those who suffered with bipolar; euthanasia was at the top of the list.

During this period, people with this disease were looked upon as being crazy and consequently many of them were bound in chains as a method of restraint. In addition, because they were thought to be possessed, some were given potions, while others had electric eels applied to their skulls. Dr. Gardenswartz, a physician who has extensively studied this disorder, said people in the Middle Ages often used witchcraft to try to “cure” those who suffered with bipolar. As time passed, methods of treatment progressed to using sedatives and barbiturates or perhaps hot baths to calm them down. They were also institutionalized to keep them separate from others. A few years later, two other methods known as electro convulsive shock and prefrontal lobotomies emerged as more radical treatments. Not only did methods of treatment change, but the name manic depressive was changed to bipolar disorder. This name change was considered a positive step because the term manic was associated with a maniac.

Many physicians and psychiatrists have greatly attributed to the study of bipolar disorder, however, special praise goes to Jean-Pierre Fabret, a French psychiatrist. He is credited with chronicling the differences between simple depression and heightened moods; therefore, we owe the classification of bipolar disorder as an illness to Fabret. These patients are now more often viewed as human beings suffering from an illness that can be treated. Thankfully, perceptions have progressed from those of the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, misconceptions will probably always exist due to fears and misinterpretations.