While "discovering" mental disorders is complex and not a single event, Hippocrates (c. 470 – c. 360 BC) is often credited with being among the first to classify and attempt to explain mental disorders in a more rational and medical way, moving away from purely supernatural explanations.
Instead of attributing mental illnesses solely to divine intervention or demonic possession, Hippocrates sought to understand them through natural causes, such as imbalances in bodily fluids (humors). His work laid a foundation for a more scientific approach to understanding and treating mental health conditions.
Here's a breakdown of Hippocrates' contributions:
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Classification of Mental Disorders: Hippocrates identified and categorized various mental disorders, including:
- Paranoia
- Epilepsy (though understood differently at the time, it was seen as affecting the mind)
- Mania
- Melancholia (a precursor to depression)
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Humoral Theory: He proposed that mental and physical health depended on the balance of four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. An imbalance in these humors, he believed, could lead to mental illness.
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Treatment Approaches: Although limited by the knowledge of his time, Hippocrates advocated for treatments such as:
- Dietary changes
- Rest
- Bloodletting (in some cases)
It's important to note that the understanding of mental disorders has evolved significantly since Hippocrates' time. What he described and classified differs greatly from modern diagnostic criteria and treatment methods. However, his emphasis on natural causes and his systematic approach to understanding mental illness represent a crucial early step in the development of psychiatry and mental health care. He shifted the perception of mental illness from purely supernatural to something potentially understood and treated through observation and reason.
