Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and Evidence-Based Practice Related

Review Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and Evidence-Based Practice related questions and content

After teaching a class to a group of nursing students about the historical perspectives of mental health care, the instructor determines that the group has understood the information when they identify which of the following as a common belief about mental illness during the medieval period?

  • A. Mental illness in an individual was the result of being possessed by demons.
  • B. A person was removed from a contaminated environment to protect him or her.
  • C. Exorcisms were used as primary mode of treatment to cleanse the person of his or her sins.
  • D. The focus was on moral treatment to promote the individual?s safety and comfort.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: During the medieval period, mental illness was commonly believed to result from demonic possession, with treatments often involving exorcisms or other religious interventions, reflecting the era?s spiritual understanding of mental disorders.