Lobotomy, a gruesome procedure to "cure" mental disorders

In the past, the science and research around psychiatric disorders was inadequate as it is today. As a result, the handling of people with mental disorders (ODGJ) tends to be arbitrary and can be said to be sadistic. One of them is a lobotomy or leucotomy procedure. A lobotomy is a gruesome brain surgery procedure from the mid-20th century that is no longer practiced today. What was the procedure like and how did it go? Listen below, yes!

What is a lobotomy?

A lobotomy is a brain surgical operation for patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The originator was a Portuguese neurologist named António Egas Moniz. This procedure was later developed by neurosurgeons around the world, including Walter Freeman from the United States. Lobotomy was widely practiced from 1935 to the 1980s.

The goal of performing a lobotomy is to "calm" mental patients by damaging or cutting through the brain tissue in the prefrontal lobe, which is located in the front. The reason is, in the past, mental disorders were thought to be caused by a person's excessive emotions and reactions. Thus, cutting the prefrontal lobe of the brain is expected to be able to remove the "excess" emotions and reactions. That way, the patient will be calmer and easier to control.

How is the lobotomy procedure performed?

At the start of the application of the lobotomy, the patient's skull at the front will be perforated. From this hole, the doctor injects ethanol solution to destroy the fibers in the prefrontal lobe. These fibers connect the prefrontal lobe to the rest of the brain.

Then, the procedure is updated by damaging the front of the brain with an iron wire. This wire is also inserted through the opening of the skull.

As if these two methods weren't sadistic enough, Walter Freeman created a new, more controversial, method. Without piercing the skull, Walter will cut the front of the brain with a special tool such as a screwdriver with a very sharp iron tip. This tool is inserted through the patient's eye socket. The patient is not anesthetized with a drug, but is shocked with a special electric wave so that the patient is unconscious.

A lobotomy is a dangerous procedure that does not help the patient

The practice of lobotomy was initially considered successful because the patient was indeed calmer. However, being calm here means being paralyzed, both mentally and physically. Noted by a neurologist and psychiatrist, dr. John B. Dynes, lobotomy victims showed symptoms like a living corpse. They lose the ability to speak, coordinate, think, and feel emotions.

Indeed, it is easier for families to take care of patients because they are no longer explosive. However, the patient's mental state did not improve. Reports from families say that everyday patients can only stare blankly into the distance. In the end, the patient has to be treated in a mental hospital for life because he cannot do activities like normal people, such as eating and working.

Naturally, this was because their prefrontal lobe had been damaged in such a way. The prefrontal lobe is responsible for carrying out executive functions of the brain. For example, making decisions, taking action, making plans, socializing with others, showing expressions and emotions, and controlling oneself.

In many other cases, patients die after undergoing lobotomy surgery. The cause is severe brain hemorrhage.

Treatment of mental disorders in modern times

In the late 1980's, the lobotomy procedure was finally stopped and banned from practicing. In addition, in 1950 the treatment of mental disorders with drugs began to be developed. This new treatment finally succeeded in shifting the sadistic practice of lobotomy.

Nowadays, the treatment offered for ODGJ is antidepressant or antipsychotic drugs, counseling therapy, or a combination of both. Even though until now there is no medicine or instant procedure that can cure mental disorders, modern medicine is now much more effective in controlling the symptoms of mental disorders while improving the quality of life for ODGJ.