The Athens Lunatic Asylum was opened in 1887 in Athens, Ohio. Its name changed many times through the years, eventually being called the Athens State Hospital and the The Ridges Mental Health Institution. The Athens Asylum was built based on the Kirkbride Plan concepts. The asylum was located on 141 acres of farmland. The original structure included a main building that was used for administration as well as 2 wings, the left for males and the right for females with the plan being no contact between them. The original plan for the asylum was to house 572 patients. Farming and orchards were added to the grounds of the asylum by early 1900s and were tended to by patients and staff. The asylum provided meat, eggs, and vegetables to the surrounding area. There were many acres of land to walk on.
The Athens Lunatic Asylum was opened initially to provide assistance after the Civil War. The Athens Lunatic Asylum provided housing for males and females in separate wings. The program was open for about 100 years, and during that time, treatment was provided for many "illnesses" of that time including seizures, high sex drive, and anxiety, to name a few. In addition, veterans from the Civil War who struggled with symptoms that would now be considered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder were placed there. People who had committed violent crimes and who had mental disabilities identified at that time were also placed in the Athens Lunatic Asylum. People with Tuberculosis also sometimes resided at the asylum.
At its opening, the Athens Lunatic Asylum followed the Moral Treatment program and included work and rest as well as hobby activities to promote and support the people who resided there. Over time, inhumane treatments were introduced and became routine practice including lobotomies, hydrotherapy, electroshock treatments, and use of insulin shock treatment. Some of the staff lived on the grounds while others lived in the community nearby. Some staff were trained to provide treatment while others had no training at all. It was reported by many people who lived in the local area and worked there that many patients died due to some of the treatment practises.
Over time, it became common for people who could no longer afford to take care of their elderly and children to leave them at the asylum. Overcrowding became a significant problem. People began to be treated like prisoners warehoused in seriously overcrowded conditions without enough staff or treatment. Eventually, community programs became the priority. Patients at the asylum were either transferred out or dumped out into the streets, becoming homeless.
Billy Milligan, a man accused of multiple crimes including several rapes on the campus of Ohio State University during the 1970s. He was placed here. He was eventually acquitted of his crimes due to the legal defense of having multiple personality disorder. Billy Milligan was the first person to use the defense of insanity for having multiple personality disorder, claiming he was not aware of committing the crimes because 2 of his other personalities had done so. He was also the first person to be acquitted using this defense. His story was written by Daniel Keyes, The Minds of Billy Milligan.
For more information see:
http://www.gutsandgore.co.uk/asylums/athens-lunatic-asylum/
http://hauntedathensohio.com/the-ridges-mental-health-institution/
http://athenshistory.org/asylum-walking-tour/
http://danielkeyesauthor.com/milligan.html
In reading through your post, as well as others this week, it is evident that the movement towards moral treatment was far reaching. However, I don't see a hospital yet where it could fully be implemented. Overcrowding appeared to be a major issue, as well as using the hospitals for purposes other than perhaps what they had originally been planned. It really is sort of similar to what we face today in terms of resources and supports that are stretched thin to serve those with severe mental illness. We have certainly come a long way in many regards, but it still can be quite discouraging at times.
ReplyDeleteHospitals are overcrowded and sometimes understaffed. Current trends tend to be to keep people out of hospital or return to the community as soon as possible. While I agree with this concept, we continue to lack the community resources to meet people's needs and provide safety. I still see many instances where people are hospitalized for noncompliance rather than true serious safety concern. If the provider, especially a psychiatrist, feels hospitalization is warranted that's what is likely to happen.
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