Transcript History of Dorothea Dix, Psych Hospitals, and Deinstitutionalization

Dorothea Dix
By Chris Martinez
Ben Cowen
Brenda Salgado
Background
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She was born Dorothea Lynde Dix. Her
father's name was Joseph and mother
Mary. She was born on April 4th 1802 in
Hampden, Maine.
Her father was a migrant preacher and
published literary publications such as
tracts. Her mother, Mary was a victim of
depression and the fact that they were not
well off also led to a so happy childhood
Influences
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After she returned to America,
in 1840-41, Dix conducted a
statewide investigation of how
her home state of
Massachusetts cared for the
insane poor. In most cases,
towns contracted with local
individuals to care for people
with mental disorders who
could not care for themselves,
and who lacked family and
friends to provide for them.
Unregulated and underfunded,
this system produced
widespread abuse.
Her Vision
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Dix traveled from New
Hampshire to Louisiana,
documenting the condition of
pauper lunatics, publishing
memorials to state legislatures,
and devoting enormous
personal energy to working
with committees to draft the
enabling legislation and
appropriations bills needed to
build asylums. In 1848,
Dorothea Dix visited North
Carolina and called for reform
in the care of mentally ill
patients.
Final Years
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During the Civil War, Dix was
appointed Superintendent of Union
Army Nurses. Unfortunately, the
qualities that made her a successful
crusader—independence, singleminded zeal—did not lend
themselves to managing a large
organization of female nurses. At
odds with Army doctors, she was
gradually relieved of real
responsibility and would consider
this chapter in her career a failure.
In 1881, Dix moved into the New
Jersey State Hospital, Morris Plains,
where the state legislature
designated a suite for her private
use as long as she lived. An invalid,
yet still managing to correspond
with people from England to Japan,
she died on July 17, 1887. Dix was
buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery,
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Treatments in Dorothea Dix
Hospital

People thought that “moral treatment” such
as routine habits, fixed schedules, and proper
diets would cure patients. Other things
implemented was pleasant surroundings,
medications, and physical and mental
activities. Extensive landscapes were
developed on the grounds of mental
hospitals. There was a hospital farm that
could provide patients and staff in the mental
hospital with food. Patients even had the
opportunity to do vocational work such as
making clothes, rugs, mattresses, and
brooms. Many patients were involved in
activities such as tennis, dancing, reading,
and croquet. Ministers would go to the
mental hospital to conduct services each
week. Also, a cemetery was present on the
grounds. Marble posts with a chain along the
line of graves were built.
Treatment in Hospitals Today

In this day and time, people with
mental illness are not put in
hospitals unless it is conspicuously
urgent that they should be. Mental
illnesses are caused by
pathological and psychological
disorders. A treatment plan can be
obtained by listing the patient’s
symptoms. Leaving them in a
hospital would do no good. At least
if they are going through their
routine day, they can be
productive. Sitting around playing
games all day is not necessary. In
fact, a simple medication is usually
enough to do the trick when it
comes to curing patients.
Deinstitutionalization

Deinstitutionalization refers to the decrease in
the number of patients in mental hospitals. Also,
fewer mental health treatments are carried out
in public hospitals. This is due to the utility of
community-based mental health services rather
than relying on hospitals. Deinstitutionalization
shows evolution in practice, experience, and
structure of mental health care in the United
States. People should be released from mental
hospitals as soon as they promise to take their
medication. There is no reason why they should
be held just because of a psychiatric disorder
that wont physically harm the patient.
Reasons for Change in Treatment

The reason why there was change is because
people realized that hospitals offered little in the
way of treatment. Also, people who were
admitted to a hospital often had to stay for
months or years. All the hospital did was provide
patients with a way to avoid the stress of living.
However, in making a recovery, a patient needs
to be in their everyday routine. Otherwise, once
they are released, their body will undergo a
shock. It was realized that medication is a lot
more sufficient that hospitals because at least
the patient can continue with their everyday
routine.
Conclusion

Dix’s impact in today’s world cannot be
underestimated. She established hospitals
for the mentally ill and handicappedas well
as provide them with humane care that
was beneficial for the patient. She was a
pioneer for modern health in a time where
care for the mentally ill or handicapped
was not valued or didn’t exist at all.
Credits
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http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/D
IX/dorothea.html
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/D
IX/images/ddhmark.jpg
http://www.minddisorders.com/BrDel/Deinstitutionalization.html
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/di
x/history.html
http://www.medhunters.com/articles/his
toryOfMentalHosps.html
http://www.healthyminds.org/psychiatric
hospitalization.cfm