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Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Obsessive compulsive disorder and psychopathic behaviour in Babylon.

Edward H Reynolds1, James V Kinnier Wilson

  • 1Institute of Epileptology, Weston Education Centre, King's College, Denmark Hill Campus, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 6PJ, UK. reynolds@buckles.u-net.com

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Summary

Ancient Babylonians described obsessive-compulsive, phobic, and psychopathic behaviors over 3,500 years ago. These early objective accounts predate modern psychological inquiry into such complex human behaviors.

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Area of Science:

  • History of Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Ancient Civilizations

Background:

  • The history of obsessive-compulsive, phobic, and psychopathic behaviors is traditionally traced to the 17th century AD.
  • This study examines ancient Babylonian medical texts for early descriptions of these behaviors.

Observation:

  • The Babylonian cuneiform medical text Shurpu details objective accounts of behaviors now recognized as immature, antisocial, criminal, and obsessional.
  • These included categories related to contamination, aggression, orderliness, sex, and religion.
  • Subjective experiences like obsessional thoughts were not included in these ancient descriptions.

Findings:

  • Babylonian understanding linked these behaviors to the concept of 'māmīt' or 'oath', implying unbreakable habits.
  • These descriptions represent the earliest known accounts of such behaviors, dating to the first half of the second millennium BC.
  • The Babylonians regarded these behaviors as a 'mystery' despite lacking modern understanding of brain or psychological function.

Implications:

  • These findings significantly extend the historical timeline for the study of obsessive-compulsive, phobic, and psychopathic disorders.
  • The objective nature of Babylonian descriptions offers a unique perspective on early behavioral observation.
  • This research highlights the advanced descriptive capabilities of ancient Babylonian medicine regarding human behavior.