The Birth of a new Branch of Medicine: Psychiatry
Bill, A.Z.
Delaware Medical Journal 88(12): 374-377
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0011-7781 PMID: 29461718 Document Number: 690554
Psychiatric treatment prior to 1955 seemed to be at a standstill. All kinds of treatments, including surgical ones, were used ineffectively. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a new treatment -chlorpromazine - created a worldwide revolution. Here is what we saw in Delaware. It was not much different in the rest of the world. Patients improved and were rapidly dischargedfrom mental institutions causing workforce reductions. I was sitting on a state employee job application evaluation committee and witnessed these events. It was also exciting to see rapid changes in administration at the state hospital. Since what happened in Delaware also happened nationally, this was a national event and should be recognized as such. The following few pages are to remember the details. Major changes made psychiatry more of an accepted medical specialty. Psychiatrists are no longer "outsiders." I would be glad to answer any questions about the information presented here.