Elizabeth Li
Professor Kathryn Kahn
TA 100W
29 September 2014
Schizophrenic Soldiers During the Second World War
Schizophrenia treatment has evolved since the 1940s. Today, schizophrenic patients can receive antipsychotic medications, psychosocial treatments, specialized rehabilitation programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Although psychiatric care had significantly improved since the First World War, World War II military hospitals were not without their flaws. During the Second World War, schizophrenic soldiers often received inadequate care. Both inside and outside the war zone, schizophrenia (when properly identified) was treated through insulin shock treatment, electroconvulsive treatment, somatic treatments, lobotomy, tranquilizing …show more content…
While still imperfect, World War II’s hospitals had nonetheless improved since the First World War. By the end of World War I, it had become apparent that the war had contributed in creating a large number of soldiers with psychiatric disabilities. The U.S. and Britain were among the many countries that invested large sums of money in treating mental casualties (Wake 466). At this point in the century, mental illness was of no small issue--and both the Axis and the Allies made a reactionary effort. As a result of these efforts, soldiers’ mental states were examined even before they even reached the battlefield. Many countries began tighter registration screenings; British service boards rejected 12% of applicants on the basis of psychiatric disorders (Ahrenfeldt 141). In addition to stricter screenings, military hospitals also made accommodations for mental health. The British army, for example, recognized the value in rehabilitating soldiers. In the Allied forces, it was felt that there would be an advantage to attaching a psychiatric unit to an ordinary (non-psychiatric) military hospital. While many military psychiatrists were largely clinical and unhelpful towards morale, several were more successful. The Allies had Area Psychiatrists that offered outpatient service in which they helped soldiers recover on a more personal level. Area Psychiatrists understood the training, the various jobs, and the intimate lives of the soldiers they cared for (Ahrenfeldt 142-3). In addition to the establishment of Area Psychiatrist, the Allies also erected institutions like The Northfield Military Hospital. The Northfield Military Hospital was divided into a “hospital wing” and “training wing.” At Northfield, psychoneurotic soldiers could receive both military training and psychiatric treatment. Hospitals like Northfield offered soldiers therapy and sanctuary. However, no hospital
Professor Kathryn Kahn
TA 100W
29 September 2014
Schizophrenic Soldiers During the Second World War
Schizophrenia treatment has evolved since the 1940s. Today, schizophrenic patients can receive antipsychotic medications, psychosocial treatments, specialized rehabilitation programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Although psychiatric care had significantly improved since the First World War, World War II military hospitals were not without their flaws. During the Second World War, schizophrenic soldiers often received inadequate care. Both inside and outside the war zone, schizophrenia (when properly identified) was treated through insulin shock treatment, electroconvulsive treatment, somatic treatments, lobotomy, tranquilizing …show more content…
While still imperfect, World War II’s hospitals had nonetheless improved since the First World War. By the end of World War I, it had become apparent that the war had contributed in creating a large number of soldiers with psychiatric disabilities. The U.S. and Britain were among the many countries that invested large sums of money in treating mental casualties (Wake 466). At this point in the century, mental illness was of no small issue--and both the Axis and the Allies made a reactionary effort. As a result of these efforts, soldiers’ mental states were examined even before they even reached the battlefield. Many countries began tighter registration screenings; British service boards rejected 12% of applicants on the basis of psychiatric disorders (Ahrenfeldt 141). In addition to stricter screenings, military hospitals also made accommodations for mental health. The British army, for example, recognized the value in rehabilitating soldiers. In the Allied forces, it was felt that there would be an advantage to attaching a psychiatric unit to an ordinary (non-psychiatric) military hospital. While many military psychiatrists were largely clinical and unhelpful towards morale, several were more successful. The Allies had Area Psychiatrists that offered outpatient service in which they helped soldiers recover on a more personal level. Area Psychiatrists understood the training, the various jobs, and the intimate lives of the soldiers they cared for (Ahrenfeldt 142-3). In addition to the establishment of Area Psychiatrist, the Allies also erected institutions like The Northfield Military Hospital. The Northfield Military Hospital was divided into a “hospital wing” and “training wing.” At Northfield, psychoneurotic soldiers could receive both military training and psychiatric treatment. Hospitals like Northfield offered soldiers therapy and sanctuary. However, no hospital