Historical perspectives

on mental illness

The concept of mental health disorder being an illness is a recent one.

There have long been those who demonstarted bizarre behaviour, who were considered insane or without reason and others who displayed melancholy or deep sadness and 'sickness of the soul'.

The objective study of mental disorder developed intermittently with opposition to belief in witchcraft and demonic possession.

The Church taught that to take one's own life was a crime.

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