Hello and welcome to our latest episode. In this deep dive, we explore the fascinating and often challenging journey of how societies have understood, diagnosed, and treated mental health conditions throughout history.

We travel back centuries to see how the "idle" were first confined and labelled, marking the origins of societal judgment based on economic value. Discover how the rise of capitalism influenced perceptions of mental illness, linking it to failure rather than disease. Learn about the stark realities of early asylums, the controversial use of treatments like lobotomy and electric shock therapy, and the vital role wars played in reshaping psychiatric thought and making mental health issues, like 'shell shock' or 'combat fatigue,' temporarily more visible and less stigmatised.

Explore the impact of revolutionary medications like Thorazine, which helped usher in the era of deinstitutionalisation, though often leaving individuals without adequate community support. Understand how diagnosis itself evolved, from broad labels like 'insanity' or 'idiocy' to the ever-expanding categories in modern manuals like the DSM. We look at how culture and language shape what is considered 'normal' or 'abnormal' in different parts of the world and how biological explanations have sometimes increased rather than decreased stigma.

This episode also highlights the incredible progress made in challenging historical prejudices. We discuss how visibility through media and personal stories, shifting economic values, and movements like neurodiversity are actively working to reduce stigma and promote acceptance. Hear about the dignity found in employment and the challenges of overcoming deeply ingrained societal biases against those perceived as different or dependent.

Join us as we uncover the complex interplay between the mind, body, society, and culture, revealing that stigma is not inherent but a learned process that we have the power to change. This isn't just history; it's a crucial conversation for our present and future understanding of mental health.