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Jan 1, 1377
The First Madhouse Built in London
The medical art embodied by Asclepiades (124-56 BC) and, above all, Galen (129-199 AD) gradually faded during the Middle Ages. Although the early Christian monasteries and communities still considered care of the emotionally disturbed a special Christian duty, medieval medicine inexorably sank into magic, mysticism, and alchemy. At the same time, during the 14th century, hospices for the insane were founded, so-called “madhouses,” which more resembled dungeons than hospitals. -
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Psychoanalysis
One of the earliest forms of depression specific treatment was psychoanalysis, a method developed by Sigmund Freud in the late 1800's. -
Emergemence of Psychiatry
In 1811, a chair of psychiatry was inaugurated in Leipzig. Based on his understanding of psychophysiology and pathology, Greisinger (1817-1868), who finally became Professor of psychiatry in Berlin, postulated the physical origins of psychiatric illnesses, which he attributed to disturbances of the brain; on the other hand, he also fully acknowledged that psychodynamic processes could cause such conditions. -
Advances in Pharmacology
In 1826, bromide was introduced as a sedative and hypnotic agent, and codeine was first used in 1832. -
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Electroconvulsive Therapy
In the 1930's electroconvulsive therapy was utilized, but again, there was not always a distinction made between persistent mental disorders. -
Research into Mind
In 1949 the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) was founded to conduct research into mind, brain, and behavior and thereby reduce mental illness. -
Iproniazid
Iproniazid (the first MAO inhibitor) itself was originally developed to fight tuberculosis. In addition to effectively treating tuberculosis, Iproniazid was observed to elevate mood and stimulate activity in many patients. These effects led researchers to investigate the ability of Iproniazid to treat the symptoms of depression. -
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The Anti-Manic Action
The anti-manic action of lithium was discovered by Cade as early as 1949, although it was not systematically used prophylactically to suppress mood cycles until 1960 by Schou and Baastrup. Over the last few years, carbamazepine, with similar effects, has become increasingly popular, especially for rapid cyclers. -
Imipramine
Imipramine, the first Tricyclic antidepressant, was discovered in 1950 by clinicians searching for new antipsychotics. The drugs were marketed as antidepressants in the 1960's. -
The First Modern Thymoleptic Therapy by Kuhn
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The First MAO Inhibitor
In the same year, the first MAO inhibitor, iproniazide, was introduced by Loomer, Saunders, and Kline. Over the following years, these were joined by many similar preparations, and later by tetracyclic and chemically different substances. The first-generation MAO inhibitors were followed by the so called reversible MAO inhibitors. The so-called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors achieved a considerable reduction in undesirable anticholinergic effects.
