The following is an excerpt from my History and Systems of Psychology Textbook. I think it’s really funny, but it’s pretty likely that only Erica will think it’s as interesting and funny as I do. But, read on if you will non-Ericans.
“An American neurologist, George Beard, had coined the term “neurasthenia” and referred to the condition as a peculiarly American nervousness. He listed a variety of symptoms: insomnia, hypochondria, headache, skin rash, nervous exhaustion and something called brain collapse. William James (1800’s American psychologist and brother of novelist Henry James) called the syndrome “Americanitis”.
“During the second half of the nineteenth century, what many observers called an “epidemic of neurasthenia” swept through the upper classes…Neurasthenia was, literally, a lack of nerve force-an immobilizing depression, a loss of will. The most educated and sdelf-conscious were among the most likely to succumb. Postponement of career choice became a common experience among these disable sons of the bourgeoisie.”
“Many of James’s friends, relatives and colleagues suffered these debilitating symptoms. A friend wrote ” I wonder if anybody ever reached 35 in New England without wanting to kill himself”. And James noted: “I take it that no man is educated who had never dallied with the thought of suicide”. The condition was so widespread amond the affluent and highly educated segmented of American society that a popular publication was entitled “Anybody Who Was Anybody Was Neurasthenic”. Obvioiusly William James was in good company.”
“The Rexall drug company capitalized on the opportunity afforded by this illness. It introduced a patent medicine called Americanitis Elixir, recommended for nervous disorders, exhaustion, and all troubles arising from Americanitis. Female sufferers, notably intellectuals and feminists, were advised to spend 6 weeds or more in bed without any work, reading, or social life and to gain large amounts of weight on high-fat diets. Men were not expected to restrict their lifestyle. Their recommended course of treatment included travel, adventure and vigorous physical exercise.”
See, psychology is funny.
