'Madness' and the supernatural

Professor Owen Davies reveals why believing in the supernatural saw scores of patients admitted to asylums in the 19th century

Published: February 5, 2024 at 11:41 AM

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The birth of psychiatry in the early-19th century changed the way that 'madness' was understood, with beliefs in the supernatural becoming evidence of insanity. Charlotte Hodgman spoke to Professor Owen Davies about the men and women who found themselves placed in asylums as a result of their supernatural beliefs, and investigates how old beliefs clashed with new ideas in a rapidly changing world.

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Authors

Charlotte HodgmanHead of video operations

Charlotte Hodgman is head of video operations at HistoryExtra

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