Mental Health Throughout the Ages: A Brief History and How We Fit into That History
This blog is the first in a series looking at our state of mental well-being. Over the past 2 years, I have been observing how I and others have reacted to the pandemic, the 2020 election, and the climate change crisis. I wanted a broader context and then to delve into particular target groups and their unique needs so that I can be of better service. I hope that you find this information useful as you take care of your own mental health and invest in self-care.
What Are Some of the Earliest Historical References to Mental Health Issues
According to Psychiatric Times, therapies, not unlike neurosurgery, can be inferred from archeological findings from France (6500 BC) and China (5000 BC). For example, skeletal remains of children with marked skull abnormalities and traumas suggest the ways in which humans cared for mentally impaired children 77,000 years ago. This included trephination. Chinese texts from 3000 years ago mention neuropsychiatric illness, including descriptions of mania and psychosis with or without epilepsy. “Imbalance” was the mechanism of psychosis. Other conditions described include confusion, visual illusions, intoxication, stress, and even malingering. Psychological theories about stages of human development can be traced to the time of Confucius, about 2500 years ago.
The research paper, Sacred psychiatry in ancient Greece, tells us that “when the Greeks colonized the Black Sea, during the seventh century B.C.they came in contact with shamanic rituals and beliefs. Shamans are capable of transcending into an ecstatic state, with the help of aromatic herbs, alcohol, seeds, and music. While being in ecstasy, they are able to communicate with the pathogenic spirits, drive them away, and thus cure the patient.”
The Ebers Papyrus was written around 1500 BC. According to Wikipedia, “... it is believed to have been copied from earlier texts. Mental disorders are detailed in a chapter of the papyrus called the Book of Hearts. Disorders such as depression and dementia are covered. The descriptions of these disorders suggest that Egyptians conceived of mental and physical diseases in much the same way.”
How Some Early Civilizations Dealt with Mental Health Issues
According to Wikipedia, historically, mental disorders have had three major explanations, namely, the supernatural, biological, and psychological models. Most cultures explained these conditions as otherworldly and a struggle between good and evil. With that common interpretation, it is interesting to note how different some early civilizations treated these conditions - their similarities, and differences, as well as those that are still being used today.
The Chinese Perspective
Although the Chinese also considered supernatural forces at play, their treatments were more holistic. According to History of Mental Illness, Around 2700 BC, Chinese medicine’s concept of complementary positive and negative bodily forces (“yin and yang”) attributed mental (and physical) illness to an imbalance between these forces. As such, a harmonious life that allowed for the proper balance of yin and yang and the movement of vital air was essential. In addition, Alexus McLeod at the University of Connecticut writes,” according to ancient Chinese scholars, we can avoid illnesses caused by overabundant emotion by learning to restrain the mind. ‘Let the mind have no anger,’ instructs a passage from the Huangdi Neijing. “ She goes on to highlight “features of the communities and cultures of which one is a member have a great influence on the formation and expression of our emotions.” This ancient perspective is receiving more attention in modern mental health.
The Indian Perspective
According to the paper, Psychiatry in India: Historical Roots, Development as a Discipline and Contemporary Context, the Charka Samhita, the major text of Indian medicine, devotes a chapter to Bhutavidya (roughly equivalent to demonology in the pre-Renaissance period in Europe) and was already well known by 400 AD. It included separate sections on insanity and its diagnosis and treatment. Many technologies that have become mainstream in our modern society can be traced back to ancient Indian scriptures. According to the paper Learnings from Ancient India: Relevance to Contemporary Psychiatry, some of the principles, described in these texts, have applicability to the discipline of psychiatry in the contemporary scene. Ayurveda recognizes mental disorders, giving their descriptions, and explaining their etiology and management. Bhagavad Gita has given a detailed description of crisis management and dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression and elucidated the principles of psychotherapy. Buddhism describes the principles of meditation and ways of dealing with stress and anxiety.
The Greek Perspective
According to the History Cooperative, somewhere between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE, the Greek physician Hippocrates rejected the idea that mental instability was the result of supernatural wrath, and wrote that imbalances in thinking and behavior were from “natural occurrences in the body,” in particular, the brain. His collection of medical texts, Hippocratic Corpus, covered not only physical but also mental conditions and the relationship between the two.
The Egyptian Perspective
According to The News and Observer, it was the ancient Egyptians who had the most progressive ideas (of the time) in how they treated the people among them who had mental health concerns. The medicine men of the Nile recommended that patients engage in recreational activities, such as music, dancing, or painting, to relieve their symptoms and work toward some semblance of normalcy, uncannily similar to some of the avenues of treatment offered in contemporary treatment facilities.
The Native American Perspective
The indigenous peoples of present-day America arrived somewhere from 15,000 to 30,000 years ago. There are over 620 first nations across Canada and the U.S. According to an article in Counseling Psychology Quarterly, the western medical view typically equates healing with curing. From a Native American perspective, healing is more akin to ‘‘recovering one’s wholeness’’ or reestablishing harmony with nature. Wellness from a Native American perspective considers the communal context for individuals as well as they seek a balance of mental, spiritual, and physical aspects of living. The inclusion of the non-material as essential in the healing process distinguishes Native American medicine from western medicine. There is also an emphasis on tradition and community, not unlike the Chinese approach.
How the 19th and 20th Century Dealt with Mental Health Issues
According to Wikipedia, The 19th century, in the context of industrialization and population growth, saw a massive expansion of the number and size of insane asylums in every Western country, a process called "the great confinement" or the "asylum era". This was also the case in British colonies in Asia at the time. Mental illness was not seen as curable.
The beginning of the 20th century saw the beginning of a shift from a purely physical focus to addressing mental disorders to looking at individual conditions. There was also increased awareness and criticism of the conditions in the asylums. The European Digital Encyclopedia of European History states that In Europe psychiatric hospitals underwent transformations during the 1950s and 1960s, especially due to the introduction of the first neuroleptic drugs, such as chlorpromazine. The use of these new medicinal substances lowered patients’ level of agitation and reduced the length of stay within the institution. The 1960s also saw the diversification of therapeutic practices, which went hand in hand with the arrival of new professions in European psychiatric institutions (psychologists, ergo therapists, social workers). The inclusion of community-based outpatient services complemented the shift away from institutionalization, as well as provided increased services for the under and uninsured.
21st-Century Approaches to Address Mental Health Issues
For such a complex topic, as mental health, it is impossible to comprehensively address it in a blog. There are cultural nuances within countries and certainly within regions. Therefore, I have included some of the latest topics that are being discussed in the field, as well as some interesting research findings that may be food for thought for the reader.
The Role of Technology
It should come as no surprise that according to the National Institute of Mental Health reports, “Technology has opened a new frontier in mental health support and data collection. Mobile devices like cell phones, smartphones, and tablets are giving the public, doctors, and researchers new ways to access help, monitor progress, and increase understanding of mental wellbeing.” The benefits and limitations were experienced by most during the pandemic. At the same time, the conversation around digital wellness and addressing the impact of social media on mental health will continue.
The Use of Psychedelic Drugs
Research on these drugs originated in the 1950s. However, their recreational use in the 1960s curbed their clinical use. Research on the use of psychedelics has shown promising results in addressing depression and anxiety. According to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics, "psychedelics induce the brain to allow a reset to take place and permit alterations in previously 'stuck' ways of feeling and thinking about things. It’s like rebooting your computer." The psychedelic drugs can also put patients into a transient state where they can better process memories, feelings, and past trauma, and can ‘reemerge with a new perspective on them that is freeing and healing’ — also called psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
Trauma Informed Care
According to Trauma Informed Care, this approach shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” A trauma-informed approach to care acknowledges that health care organizations and care teams need to have a complete picture of a patient’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective health care services with a healing orientation.”
Culturally Informed Care
The American Psychological Association looked at the challenges and solutions in the Native American communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate among American Indians ages 18 to 24 is nearly double the national rate. And significantly more American Indians and Alaska Natives needed treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use in the prior year than people from other ethnic groups, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, November 2012). They highlight the successful application of cultural heritage spirituality, which can be incorporated into modern psychological treatments. It is the connection back to their ancestors and traditional ways that strengthen the individual and the community. It seems to be a traditional approach that was lost as a result of the trauma of the European invasion of their land and the attempted destruction of their culture.
Unite for Insight’s review of ethnocultural beliefs and mental illness stigma highlights the wide range of cultural beliefs surrounding mental health. For instance, “while some American Indian tribes do not stigmatize mental illness, others stigmatize only some mental illnesses, and other tribes stigmatize all mental illnesses. In Asia, where many cultures value “conformity to norms, emotional self-control, [and] family recognition through achievement”, mental illnesses are often stigmatized and seen as a source of shame. Research on the negative attitudes toward healthcare professionals among many African Americans, notes that stigma, religious beliefs, distrust of the medical profession, and communication barriers may contribute to African Americans’ wariness of mental health services. In a 2007 study, approximately 63% of African Americans viewed depression as a “personal weakness”, 30% reported that they would deal with depression themselves, and only one-third reported that they would accept medication for depression if prescribed by a medical professional.”
Why the Sudden Awareness around Mental Health Issues
The pandemic has refocused the world’s attention on mental health. According to the WHO, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%. However, WHO’s most recent Mental Health Atlas showed that in 2020, governments worldwide spent on average just over 2% of their health budgets on mental health and many low-income countries reported having fewer than 1 mental health worker per 100,000 people.
Celebrities Speak Out
Celebrity visibility gives them the platform to raise awareness of issues in ways that can open conversations that are often difficult and painful. As these conversations broaden within the general public, we then have the opportunity to step into that space and demonstrate the same self-love and compassion as these celebrities to take responsibility for our own mental and physical health and well-being.
Who are some celebrities to read about? Simone Biles, the 4-time Olympic gold athlete, showed incredible awareness and bravery by taking a stand for her own mental health, despite the pressure from multiple sources. Despite years of training for the latest Olympics, she made the decision to withdraw from both the team final and all-around individual events. Wow! According to Lee Health, in Biles’ case, the pressure she felt under the bright lights and the scrutiny of millions upon millions of strangers watching her led to something called “the twisties.” This means that her mind-body connection, honed into muscle memory from years of intense practice, suddenly betrayed her, and she lost track of herself in the air – quite a problem when spinning and flipping at top speed. A gymnast dealing with “the twisties” opens themselves to serious injuries.
Michael Phelps, with 28 medals, is the most decorated American Olympian. He also suffered for years from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It took courage to ask for help, checking himself into an inpatient treatment center in 2014. He admits that these conditions don’t go away; however, he now has the tools and abilities to manage them. As a man, he is also a role model for young men dealing with mental health issues. Phelps continues his advocacy work both through his Michael Phelps Foundation and the popular Talkspace, an online counseling service.
Naomi Osaka is a 4 time Grand Slam champion and was once the #1 ranked player by the Women’s Tennis Association. She spoke out citing anxiety and mental health issues when she opted out of the French Open and Wimbledon. She shared having dealt with long bouts of depression since 2018. She is currently taking an indefinite break from tennis and starting her own sports agency, Evolve.
Why It Is Good for Each of Us to Talk about Our Own Mental Health Challenges
Between the pandemic, social media, and the pace of life in the 21st century, our mind-body organisms have a lot of stressors to deal with. We talked about the impact of the pandemic earlier and the effects it has had (and continues to have) on our mental health. Social media can be informative, entertaining, and a way to connect in the virtual world that we live in. It is, however, also great at presenting an illusion of the perfectionism of others and pushing our vulnerability and fear buttons. So many people post using filters and only showing themselves vacationing, out with friends, etc.; yogis post themselves in the most challenging postures in unlikely scenes like on a mountaintop or in the snow. In a recent study posted in the National Library of Medicine, social media use was significantly associated with increased depression. Without the balance of real human interaction and sharing all of our experiences (the happier moments as well as the messy times), we are not living in a world that fully meets our needs as sentient beings.
When my mother passed in 2021, I went through a profound period of grieving. Although I now still grieve the lack of her physical presence, the first 10 months were the hardest and at times quite scary. I experienced depression and a new relationship with our sense of time. Hours would pass like minutes, and days would feel like weeks. With the help of a grief therapist, I was able to better understand the emotional-physical aspect of grief. Sensing where in my body the grief was sitting, I could use the technologies I am familiar with - yoga, pranayam, and gong sound therapy, along with traditional talk therapy to process my grief. I wrote about my experience in some of my blogs and began to follow others on social media who were on a similar path, as well as those in the therapy field. It also deepened the curiosity of my spiritual self in a way that I am now deeply grateful for.
3 Ways That Yoga Helps with Mental Health
With the shift to a more holistic approach to health and wellness, there is the recognition that a whole-person approach is needed. This is the body-mind-spirit perspective. Yoga can be an effective way to address all three.
Exercise Increases Blood Flow and an Active Lifestyle Improves Mood
Even though some of us procrastinate when it comes to exercising, most would agree that we feel better afterward. So how does it benefit our mental health? The endorphins that are released during physical activity are responsible for the good feelings experienced after exercise. According to Walden University, “Increasing your heart rate can actually reverse stress-induced brain damage by stimulating the production of neurohormones like norepinephrine, which not only improve cognition and mood but improve thinking clouded by stressful events. Exercise also forces the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems to communicate with one another, improving the body’s overall ability to respond to stress.”
Meditation Improves Focus and Perspective
Meditation (and its benefits) can be traced back thousands of years to India. A recent article in Healthline summarizes the findings of several studies on the benefits of meditation for your mental health. The impressive list of results includes reduced depression, reduced number of negative thoughts, reduced inflammatory chemicals in the body, cytokines, and reduced anxiety. A meditative mind offers a detached perspective that is more present and allows you to focus with less distracting thoughts about the past or the future.
As I’ve shared in a previous blog, Why Gong Therapy is the Most Relaxing Summer Activity That You’ve Never Heard Of, gong sound therapy is the lazy or smart person’s meditation. You get the same benefits as meditation while only needing to lie down and allow the vibrations of the gong to wash over you. Attending regular sound therapy classes can help you tap into that calm, present state of mind more easily during your day.
Yoga Keeps You Present
The benefits of yoga for mental health have been well documented. Yoga keeps you in the present moment by requiring you to focus on your breath and experience a pose throughout the body. It trains the mind to pivot from a focus on either the past or the future, which is linked to depression and anxiety. Kundalini Yoga, as I shared in my recent blog Kundalini Yoga for Beginners: A Primer focuses on specific meridians so it can target a specific imbalance, as well as support a present state of mind. There are classes focusing specifically on reducing anxiety and depression. Since all Kundalini Yoga classes include meditation, you can incorporate 2 self-care activities into one.
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a much-needed spotlight on mental health globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at the 2021 World Health Assembly, countries emphasized the need to develop and strengthen mental health and psychosocial support services as part of strengthening preparedness, response, and resilience to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies. They adopted the updated Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, which includes an indicator of preparedness for mental health and psychosocial support in public health emergencies. We have an opportunity to keep political, social, and personal attention on our collective and individual mental health so that we may thrive as a society and as individuals.
Improve Mental Health with Kundalini Yoga
If you want to attain inner peace and build strong mental health, SoundWellness is here to support you. All classes can be customized to meet the needs of an individual or a community. Call or set up a complimentary consultation today.