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[Degeneration theory in psychiatry].

L Hermle

    Fortschritte Der Neurologie-Psychiatrie
    |March 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary

    The theory of degeneration explained human retrogression and mental disorders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It linked various diseases to a descending series of progressive degeneration.

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    Area of Science:

    • Medical History
    • Psychiatry
    • Philosophy of Science

    Background:

    • The theory of degeneration was a prominent concept in 19th and early 20th-century medicine, particularly psychiatry.
    • It provided explanatory models for deviations from health standards in neurological, brain, and mental disorders.
    • This theory was intertwined with prevailing 19th-century philosophical and scientific ideas, including evolution and positivism.

    Observation:

    • Anatomic pathology struggled to identify etiological links for mental diseases.
    • Theories of retrogression offered a seemingly conclusive framework for understanding the genesis of mental disorders.
    • The concept of degeneration was supported by the theory of polymorphism.

    Findings:

    • Degeneration theory posited human retrogression, manifesting as signs of decline in individuals.
    • It was influenced by and interacted with contemporary theories like social Darwinism, eugenics, and genetics.
    • Neurological, mental, and brain diseases were categorized within a progressive degeneration framework.

    Implications:

    • The degeneration concept provided a unifying, albeit flawed, explanation for diverse mental health conditions.
    • It highlights the historical interplay between scientific theories, social ideologies, and medical understanding.
    • This historical perspective informs contemporary approaches to understanding the etiology of mental and neurological diseases.

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