Timeline of Psychiatry - Early History of Psychiatry

Early History of Psychiatry

1550 BC

The Ebers papyrus, one of the most important medical papyri of ancient Egypt, briefly mentioned clinical depression.

6th century Bc

600 B.C., many cities had temples to Asklepios known as an Asklepieion that provided cures for psychosomatic illnesses

4th century BC

Greek physician Hippocrates theorized that physiological abnormalities may be the root of mental disorders.

280 BC

Greek physician and philosopher Herophilus studied the nervous system and distinguished between sensory nerves and motor nerves.

250 BC

Greek anatomist Erasistratus studied the brain and distinguished between the cerebrum and cerebellum.

705

The first psychiatric hospital was built by Muslims in Baghdad, followed by Cairo in 800, and Damascus in 1270.

11th century

Persian physician Avicenna recognized "physiological psychology" in the treatment of illnesses involving emotions, and developed a system for associating changes in the pulse rate with inner feelings.

1247

Bethlehem Royal Hospital in Bishopsgate outside the wall of London, one of the most famous old psychiatric hospitals was founded as a priory of the Order of St. Mary of Bethlem to collect alms for Crusaders; after the English government secularized it, it started admitting mental patients by 1377 (1403?), becoming known as Bedlam Hospital; in 1547 it was acquired by the City of London, operating until 1948; it is now part of the British NHS Foundation Trust.