[The introduction of antipsychotics in the neurological psychiatric hospital of the University of Leipzig and their effects on other forms of therapy, the length of stay and transferrals].

AIM

The impacts of the introduction of antipsychotics on psychiatric care in a clinic were investigated for the first time, specifically in the Neurological and Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Leipzig from 1946 to 1965.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

When and which antipsychotics were first used, to what extent and how did this affect the use of traditional forms of therapy?

MATERIAL AND METHODS

According to psychopathological criteria, 306 cases were selected from the database of patient records from the hospital archive and systematically reviewed with respect to the research question.

RESULTS

The use of antipsychotics began in 1953 and subsequently with increasing frequency and duration. Traditional therapies and antipsychotics were frequently used in combination. In particular, the use of antipsychotics and electroconvulsive therapy represented the new basic therapy. A decrease in the length of hospitalization could not be demonstrated. From 1955, however, fewer transfers to the provincial hospitals were necessary and more patients could be discharged into domestic life as "improved". Beginning in 1961, for the first time a discharge medication was mentioned and evidence of outpatient therapies including electric shock therapies were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Evidence of facilitation of mental rehabilitation through the use of antipsychotics cannot be directly confirmed; however, it appears that the administration beyond a time-limited treatment has contributed to this development and also to the establishment of outpatient facilities. Thus, both a watershed in the psychiatric treatment and a change for the patients themselves could be identified.