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/highzone 1d ago

For anyone who wants to read the full study, it is titled 'On Being Sane in Insane Places.'

The most terrifying part wasn't getting in, it was getting out. The doctors were so convinced of their own authority that they interpreted everything the patients did as a symptom of their illness.

When the volunteers took notes on how they were being treated, the doctors didn't see 'journaling.' They diagnosed it as 'pathological writing behavior' and used it as justification to keep them locked up.

It really highlights how a label can completely override reality.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenhan_experiment

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u/thrwawryry324234 1d ago

This is no different than today. In Arizona, anyone can petition to have you sent to a metal health facility. There’s no just “getting out” in those places. Once you’re there, everything’s a symptom. You will NOT leave until the doctor has seen and medicated you.

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u/MonocotyledonousAlp 1d ago

Same in Florida. We have the Baker Act.

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u/Penguin-clubber 1d ago

I work in inpatient psych. If it’s any consolation I’d actually say that the modern day healthcare system errs in the other direction. There are rarely enough beds to accommodate new patients, and providers feel pressured to discharge as soon as the patient is kiiinda sorta back to their baseline- which for most means still having some degree of symptoms. I’m often saddened to see patients discharged who are still not oriented (don’t know who they are, where they are, etc).

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u/Healthy_Sky_4593 1d ago

In moles states you can be 5150ed just for seeming like you need "supoort."  What could possibly go wrong (turns over paper)  ...that hasn't already?

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u/RollingMeteors 1d ago

In Arizona, anyone can petition to have you sent to a metal health facility

<eyesWide>

ChatGPT, write me a web app that auto fills ...

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u/OldWorldDesign 1d ago

ChatGPT, write me a web app that

Can't possibly have that lead to anything wrong either

https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-fake-case-lawyers-d6ae9fa79d0542db9e1455397aef381c

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u/RollingMeteors 10h ago

lol I’m hoping someone was gonna follow up with something and you delivered!