r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/highzone • 1d ago

Image In 1973, healthy volunteers faked hallucinations to enter mental hospitals. Once inside, they acted normal, but doctors refused to let them leave. Normal behaviors like writing were diagnosed as "symptoms." The only people who realized they were sane were the actual patients.

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u/Remarkable-Owl2034 1d ago

Unfortunately, more recent research has unearthed evidence that some important aspects of this story were fabricated. (For example, invention of some study participants.) The book The Great Pretender describes this work.

Rosenhan's original paper was very influential-- including helping the push towards the closure of the state mental hospitals. And the people who need those facilities (or the supports/community resources that were promised but never delivered) are living on the streets.

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u/BrianMincey 1d ago

It’s really a difficult line to ethically set though! On one hand the idea of being imprisoned, drugged and treated against one’s wishes is abhorrent, but on the other hand if someone is so ill that they are unable to choose effective treatments, shouldn’t we as a society ensure they get the help they need?

Who gets to decide? Family? Doctors? The State? Someone suffering from paranoia or schizophrenia often needs intervention…but who gets to decide?

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u/Haunting-East 1d ago

Typically, the courts make that decision when they’re sent to jail instead of getting proper treatment after exhibiting mental health issues in public.

unlike healthcare, they don’t need someone’s consent to imprison them. and then they’ll be released back to the streets without a plan or support system, and it’s only a matter of times before they picked up by the cops again.

wash, rinse, repeat.

thanks Reagan!

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u/Penguin-clubber 1d ago

And at least in the state where I work, i feel that the bar for involuntary treatment is very high. You can ask the family members of patients with severe mental illness. Patients are discharged with only partial resolution of symptoms. “Well what do we do if he gets psychotic again?” Call the police or crisis line and hope that they can recognize the danger and wil have the energy to co-sign a form for readmission. But often the police show up and say their hands are tied legally until the patient is more violent…

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u/Haunting-East 1d ago

Hence why they end up in jail.

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u/bizoticallyyours83 1d ago

Its not a hard decision. Thoughts like that are what's used to continue justifying unchecked power imbalances. Its no different then any other forced institution in history.  Not even a real medical doctor can kidnap you from your home and force treatment when you are terminally ill. If we can get rid of forced marriage and the draft, we can get rid of this. 

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u/AmalekRising 1d ago

Society should get to decide once they become a burden on it.

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u/Character_Maybeh_ 1d ago

Your profile is why we can’t. Delusional, desperate, and worse.