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Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Bedlam
May 10, 2022
Journalist and historian Catharine Arnold discusses the chaotic history of Bedlam, a notorious mental hospital in London known for questionable treatments and public spectacles. The episode explores the evolution of mental health care, societal perceptions of madness, and the challenges faced by patients. WARNING: adult themes and mental health discussions included.
38:37
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Quick takeaways
- Bedlam's evolution from a medieval hospital to a mental health institution reflects changing perceptions of mental disorders.
- The controversial history of Bedlam sheds light on archaic mental health treatments and the need for reform.
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History of Bedlam
Bedlam, originally founded as a medieval hospital for the mentally ill in London, evolved over the years to specialize in mental health. Patients included individuals with various disabilities. The hospital faced controversies, such as a king merging it with another mental health hospital due to noisy patients disturbing his falcons. This led to a reputation depicted in cockney slang as 'Bedlam'. The lack of standardized mental disorder classifications led to individuals with diverse conditions being considered 'mad'.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode