In the earlier decades of understanding psychopathology, it was primarily thought that psychopathology could be explained through supernatural or early biological means. It was thought was psychopathology could be explained based upon how displeased the gods seemed to be or the possession of an individual by demons that could only be treated through exorcism. Early biological explanations attempted to define psychopathology through brain pathology and mental disorder categories of mania, melancholia, and phrenitis. Healthy brain functioning was determined through blood, black bile, phlegm, and yellow bile. Treatment administered by physicians restored the natural balance. The dark ages occurred in the 2nd century AD and returned to belief of psychopathology being caused by supernatural causes. Healers were only considered Christian monasteries with treatment including care through monks, the physical touch of relics, and potions drank in the waning phase of the moon.
The lunacy trials occurred in England during the 13th century and held trials to assess a person’s mental health. The term lunacy stems from the belief of insanity caused by the moon and stars being misaligned with one another. These trials consisted of the decision of people with psychological disorders being placed in hospitals by municipal authorities. The development of asylums began in the 15th century with the intent to confine and care for people with psychological disorders but instead offered little treatment or treatment that was harmful to patients. The first asylum was established in 1243 and was named Priory of St. Mary of Bethlehem. This was the first asylum established in 1243 that was funded by the wealthy to disrespectfully observe the patients. The term bedlam stems from this asylum as there was much confusion and uproar during this time. Early asylums often had poor treatment that was harmful or offered treatment that was considered nonexistent. Philippe Pinel shifted the poor treatment of patients in asylums into human and acceptable treatment that included the requirement of compassion and dignity being expressed towards patients with humanitarian treatment being available to upper class individuals. Moral treatment involved privately funded small humanitarian mental hospital such as the Friend’s Asylum where patients took part in positive engaging activities and had the opportunity to live a close to normal life and often talked with attendants.