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Lobotomy is a controversial medical procedure that has been used in the past to treat a variety of mental illnesses.This article will explain the history of lobotomy, its methods of execution, its use in medicine and the reasons why it was abandoned.
Lobotomy – what is this procedure?how is it performed?
Lobotomy, also known as prefrontal lobotomy, is a neurosurgical procedure that removes or damages the front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex.The procedure involved inserting a tool into the brain through the eye socket or scalp and destroying or separating selected brain structures.Lobotomy was performed without general anesthesia and often led to permanent changes in patients’ behavior.
What diseases were treated with lobotomy?
In the past, lobotomy was used as a method of treating various mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, neuroses, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.Lobotomy was intended to alleviate the symptoms of these diseases by removing or weakening certain connections in the brain.
Who invented the lobotomy?
Lobotomy was introduced as a medical procedure in the 1930s by Portuguese neurologist António Egas Moniz.For his research on lobotomy, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1949.However, it was physician Walter Freeman and neurosurgeon James Watts in the United States who contributed to the popularization of lobotomy, which resulted in its widespread use in medical practice.
Lobotomy today – is lobotomy still used?is it legal?
Currently, lobotomy is an almost completely abandoned method of treating mental illnesses.In the 1950s and 1960s, the numerous side effects and serious problems resulting from lobotomies began to be realized.Patients often experienced cognitive loss, personality changes, apathy, and other lasting side effects.Therefore, lobotomy is no longer considered a safe and effective treatment for mental illness.
Currently, there are much more advanced treatment methods such as psychotherapy, psychotropic drugs and electroconvulsive therapies, which are much safer and more effective in the treatment of mental disorders.Moreover, lobotomy is currently a procedure banned in most countries due to its controversial and unethical methods and side effects.
Your suggestions
If you have questions or would like to learn more about lobotomy, we encourage you to consult a doctor or psychotherapist.Today, there are many other effective treatments for mental health conditions that are safe and do not cause lasting side effects.
Recommended articles
If you are interested in the treatment of mental illnesses, we recommend reading articles on psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy, which are currently used as effective methods of treating mental disorders.