Comments on: Ibn Rushid Psychiatric Hospital

Ibn Rushid Psychiatric Hospital

homunculus — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:32:45 -0800

Decline of an Iraqi Hospital: War Takes Toll on Baghdad Psychiatric Hospital. [Via Mind Hacks]

By: matteo

matteo — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:12:04 -0800

Electroshock and Awe

By: ageispolis

ageispolis — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:33:35 -0800

"...and I think our emotions are frozen," he says. Fascinating article, Dr. Amir Hussain reminds me of Dr. Rieux from The Plague.

By: JHarris

JHarris — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:18:21 -0800

Only two comments, talk about outrage fatigue. Nice post though.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:51:49 -0800

Escape from Baghdad

By: Xoebe

Xoebe — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:44:56 -0800

Outrage fatigue, coupled with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. We can't even fund decent public mental health care here in the U.S. There was a blurb on NPR on the radio just this morning on the way into work - I haven't heard the story, but the teaser headline was a psychiatrist at [I believe] a VA hospital was telling the staff to "stop diagnosing PTSD". Mental health is such a frustrating topic. I know from personal experience that even minor applications of proper medical treatment can be life changing. So sad to see the mental health care systems in any country go begging - all the worse for the poor Iraqis, who are clearly worse off now than ever before. There is hope, but that's it.

By: ageispolis

ageispolis — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:07:59 -0800

Thought I'd reiterate due to the lack of discussion: What interests me specifically in this piece is Dr. Hussain. Although he is portrayed as quite heroic in this particular article, to me he seems more appropriately an entirely human being. He finds relief only in the continuous application of his task, that is to better the mental health of his patients. Goode shocks us with the "barbaric" treatment and facilities of Ibn Rushid psychiatric hospital yet reassures us with the stillness of Hussain's own mental state amidst the chaos. Insomnia and anxiety seem completely forgiveable not to mention expected in effect of his efforts.