Depends on your generation. I grew up reading "the Bell Jar" and "Girl Interrupted" as a young adult. Both books are about escaping oppression and labels (Plath was actually depressed). Sylvia Plath spent time at McClain Hospital around 1960 give or take. Susan Kaysen was at McClain in 67-68. A LOT changed in how MI changed between 60-70 although Kaysen's story felt more like what peers went through in the 80's. (Things kind of went backwards when Reagan entered office.) These are not "regional" books. They are very famous. Your children most likely read them or saw the movies.

You may have been influenced (whether you know it or not) by the movie Snake Pit (and others) from 48 just about the time Thorazine was beginning to be used in hospitals and was thought ... err... Marketed as a "magic bullet". I realize 48 may be too early to remember but then 67 is too early for me to remember and it was very influential

Criticism shifted from the patient to the hospital and then medication over those years therefore the term "manic depressive" changed connotation as well. Advertising of Thorazine is a perfect illustration of how it changed. In the 50's Time Magazine asked if Thorazine is a "wonder drug" as represented by NIMH. By the end of the 60's they developed a liquid form because they now needed to force people to take it. Here is a typical representation of mental illness. Advertising changes but the representation of MI people is pretty similar whether it is manic depression or schizophrenia. In Europe doctors actually became more concerned about side effects than in the US.

Prior to the advertising of Thorazine and WWII Virginia Woolf and Robert Lowell (for example), both diagnosed with manic depression, had successful marriages despite their illness which eventually ended Woolf's life.

Yes, I'm sure it's more than you wanted but others might find it as interesting as I do. Public forum and all.



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