Psikhushka

Psikhushka (Russian: Психушка) is a colloquial term for a psychiatric hospital in the former Soviet Union. The term gained notoriety during the Soviet era, particularly from the 1960s to the 1980s, when psychiatric hospitals were used as tools of political repression. Dissidents and individuals deemed "socially dangerous" were often confined in these institutions under the guise of receiving psychiatric treatment.

History

The use of psychiatric hospitals for political purposes in the Soviet Union began in earnest during the Stalin era, but it became more systematic under Leonid Brezhnev. The practice was part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and maintain control over the population.

Development

The Soviet psychiatric system was heavily influenced by the theories of Vladimir Bekhterev and Ivan Pavlov, focusing on the biological basis of mental illness. However, under the influence of Andrei Snezhnevsky, a prominent Soviet psychiatrist, the concept of "sluggish schizophrenia" was developed. This diagnosis was often applied to political dissidents, as it was characterized by symptoms that were not overtly psychotic, allowing for the broad interpretation of normal dissent as a mental disorder.

Abuse of Psychiatry

The abuse of psychiatry in the Soviet Union was facilitated by the lack of independent oversight and the close ties between the psychiatric profession and the state. The KGB and other security agencies often collaborated with psychiatrists to identify and detain individuals who were considered threats to the state.

Conditions in Psikhushkas

Conditions in these institutions were often harsh and inhumane. Patients, many of whom were not mentally ill, were subjected to forced medication, physical restraints, and isolation. The use of powerful antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, was common, leading to severe side effects and long-term health issues.

International Response

The international community, including organizations such as Amnesty International and the World Psychiatric Association, condemned the Soviet Union's use of psychiatry for political purposes. In 1977, the World Psychiatric Association passed a resolution condemning the political abuse of psychiatry, leading to the Soviet Union's withdrawal from the organization.

Legacy

The legacy of the psikhushka system is a complex one. While the Soviet Union officially ended the practice with its dissolution in 1991, reports of similar abuses have surfaced in other countries. The term "psikhushka" remains a powerful symbol of the potential for abuse within psychiatric systems.

Also see

• Sluggish schizophrenia
• Political abuse of psychiatry in the Soviet Union
• Human rights in the Soviet Union
• Dissident movement in the Soviet Union