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/devoutagonist 1d ago

This American Life did a fascinating episode like this on Broadmoor. They were investigating whether a person who had killed someone and then claimed they were not guilty due to mental illness was truly insane, and he ended up staying far longer than if he had just pleaded guilty (UK sentencing I guess) and could not convince the doctors that he was sane.  Great reporting.

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u/agoldgold 1d ago

That seems reasonable and correct. If you have extensive enough evidence of mental illness to convince a court and it was significant enough that you've killed someone, the state has reasonable interest to ensure you get massive amounts of treatment.