This volume contains essays which trace the evolution of scientific writing about psychiatry. It explores individual historical figures and movements as well as the history of the asylum, the biographies on Freud and popular opinion regarding psychiatry, both now and in the past.



The history of psychiatry has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and controversial areas of commentary in recent years. Discovering the History of Psychiatry brings together 20 studies by eminent, international contributors who explore the many complex dimensions of historical writing about the psychological sciences. The extensive coverage includes: the history of the asylum, Freud biography, and anti-psychiatry feeling, as well as discussions of individual historical figures and movements. This is the first book to present comprehensive coverage of the history of psychiatry and will make interesting reading for everyone interested in this fascinating subject.