Transcript History of Dorothea Dix, Psych Hospitals, and

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
not 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.
Dorothea Dix’s
Grave
Treatments in Dorothea Dix
Hospital
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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
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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
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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 won’t
physically harm the patient.
Dorothea Dix is the reason that
deinstutionalization was able to
become possible.
Pie Chart Showing Rate of
those that are
Deinstitutionalized.
Reasons for Change in Treatment
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Dorothea Dix influenced
the later treatments that
were created in order to
deal with psychological
disorders such as
depression.
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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.
Today in order to institutionalized
both pathological and
psychological symptoms must be
present.
Conclusion
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Dix’s impact in today’s world cannot be
underestimated. She established hospitals
for the mentally ill and handicapped as
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/DIX/dor
othea.html
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/DIX/ima
ges/ddhmark.jpg
http://www.minddisorders.com/BrDel/Deinstitutionalization.html
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/dix/histo
ry.html
http://www.medhunters.com/articles/historyOf
MentalHosps.html
http://www.healthyminds.org/psychiatrichospita
lization.cfm
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/forum/I
mage10.gif
http://www.medhunters.com/articles/historyOf
MentalHosps.html