The historical development of psychopathology
Prepare a timeline describing the historical development of psychopathology from the beginning until present times.
· Additionally, create a diagram where compare normal behaviors and abnormal behaviors.
Sample Answer
Timeline of the Historical Development of Psychopathology
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Ancient Times (Before 500 BCE):
- Supernatural Explanations: Mental illness attributed to demons, spirits, or divine punishment.
- Trephination: Practice of drilling holes in the skull to release evil spirits.
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Greek and Roman Period (500 BCE – 500 CE):
- Humoral Theory (Hippocrates): Mental disorders attributed to imbalances in bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile).
- Emphasis on Naturalistic Explanations: Shift towards viewing mental illness as a medical condition.
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Middle Ages (500 CE – 1500 CE):
- Return of Supernatural Beliefs: Dominance of religious and superstitious explanations.
- Asylums: Emergence of institutions for the confinement of people with mental illness, often with poor conditions.