Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Send us a text IT'S MY 100th EPISODE!!! This week we wrap up the history of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and find out which treatment was used over a two-week period in an attempt to discharge patients quickly from the hospital. Discover how nine patients from the criminally insane ward escaped. And learn about how the asylum came back to life after it closed its doors in 1994. My main source is The Haunted History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by Sherri Brake. All other sources...

Send us a text This week we look at the expansion of the asylum around the turn of the 20th century. Find out what types of treatment were used, learn what unusual (and sad) reasons got people committed to the asylum, and discover who was setting a series of dangerous fires. Learn more about influenza and tuberculosis treatment at the hospital, as well. The main source for this episode is the book The Haunted History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by Sherri Brake. Support the show on P...

Send us a text This week we start a series on Sarah's "holy grail" asylum! Learn about why it took 23 years for the asylum to be built and who was involved in the labor. Find out how the hospital took on an additional role in the history of the American Civil War. And discover why there was such a high turnover of superintendents in the early days of asylum life. Follow the show on Instagram at @behindthewallspod Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support th...

Send us a text This week I interview historian Jacqui Sanders to discuss her study of the children and women of Aradale Mental Hospital in Australia and the release of her new book, Form of Insanity. Find out how Jacqui got drawn to Aradale and to the tragic stories she outlines in her book -- and find out what projects she has lined up next! Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: ...

Send us a text This week's episode examines the final decades of the Fernald State School. Find out about the pivotal moment in Ward 22 that forever changed the school. Learn about the fate of the Science Club members. And discover how the "research" of the past was unearthed. Main sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald School, as well as the book The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D'Antonio. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript....