Quote:
Sophist: The reason so many people are not living in one particular kind of institutions anymore is economic as much as anything.
I agree economics has a good portion to do with it. And perhaps when writing that I was envisioning a large portion of the schizophrenics who have been helped by advances in antipsychotics (which, granted, once made up an incredible amount of those in psychiatric hospitals). True, there are more community support organizations so that these people can live at home with family more ably. There are also many who live on there own with aid from these organizations.
However, I stand firm that a substantial proportion of independent, semi-independent, and out-patient living is largely due to advances in medications, especially in the realm of psychotic disorders. Without that first step-- the invention of Thorazine and the following rush of atypical and typical antipsychotics-- psychiatric facilities would be MUCH more crowded than they are now.
Though in the case of Autism, we are less likely these days to be shut up in a hopsital ward because a different view is taken on it than once was. And I must admit, I don't know how many undiagnosed/diagnosed autistics once filled the wards of state hospitals. I know more about schizophrenia in that regards. So, that is what I shall relegate my response to: schizophrenia.
But this world would be very different without medications. True, the families might be more willing to care for the sufferer because a greater understanding of their family member's condition can be had. But a person in the throws of utter psychosis can often be too difficult to control. Despite economic advances, sooner or later greater restraints would probably be needed, moreso than a single family or community support can offer.
24 Jul 2005, 5:11 pm
