A great leap in the treatment of mental illness began
in about 1950 with the development of psychotropic
drugs (drugs used to treat mental illness). Chlorpromazine
(Thorazine), an antipsychotic drug, and
lithium, an antimanic agent, were the first drugs
to be developed. Over the following 10 years, monoamine
oxidase inhibitor antidepressants; haloperidol
(Haldol), an antipsychotic; tricyclic antidepressants;
and antianxiety agents called benzodiazepines were
introduced. For the first time, drugs actually reduced
agitation, psychotic thinking, and depression. Hospital
stays were shortened, and many people were
well enough to go home. The level of noise, chaos, and
violence greatly diminished in the hospital setting
(Trudeau, 1993).
