#54: Psychiatric Sexism: A Gendered History of American Mental Health Diagnoses, Treatments, and Institutionalization — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

#54: Psychiatric Sexism: A Gendered History of American Mental Health Diagnoses, Treatments, and Institutionalization

Name: Abigail Swihart
Major: History
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

To understand gender in a historical context is to understand that the masculine has historically held power over the feminine in all circumstances of life. When researching historical situations, it is essential to look at the topic from the point of view of the masculine and the feminine, whereas events have traditionally been studied from a strictly masculine perspective. This research essay will look at the United State’s history of mental health diagnoses and treatments. A gendered perspective highlights how this history affected women and men differently. All mental patients were feminized by a patriarchal system that placed (white, male) doctors in a relationship of dominance over their subordinate patients. Female-presenting patients and patients excluded from US whiteness were further subordinated by their increased femininity. These patients experienced more oppressive diagnoses and treatments designed to remove autonomy. This essay examines how gender affects diagnoses, treatment, and the overall doctor-patient relationship in the United States from the late 1800s to the 1970s primarily using first hand patient accounts and hospital records.

Poster file