| Abstract [eng] |
Master's thesis of Reda Montvilaitė. Thesis supervisor doc. Aistis Žalnora; Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Health Ethics, Law and History, Vilnius. Aim. To examine the most important psychiatric disorders of the interwar period and their prevention and treatment strategies and implementation in Lithuania at that time. Methodology. The study analysed the psychopharmacotherapy and herbal therapy, instrumental and psychotherapeutic methods following the prevention of mental disorders in interwar Lithuania by studying primary and secondary history sources. The research was based on the professional journal "Medicina", publications about health care for general society, and current scientific publications, using a historical comparative method of analysis. The study was carried out between September 2024 and April 2025. Results. Based on the study, it was found that in interwar Lithuania the treatment of mental disorders was carried out with barbiturates, medications with bromine, chloral hydrate, combinations of scopolamine and morphine, etc.; sedative herbal treatment was recommended for slight mental disorders; specific procedures were applied: hydrotherapy, work therapy, insulin coma, metrazolium, malaria and electric impulse therapy. In the absence of sufficient treatment in interwar Lithuania, the importance of mental hygiene was emphasized and the most vulnerable groups in society were targeted: youth, young families, people addicted to psychotropic substances and people with suicidal behaviour. Prevention programmes were implemented by educational and military institutions, the first genetic counselling centre for newlyweds was established, and sobriety organisations were active. Conclusions. According to the results of the study, Lithuanian psychiatrists were interested in the treatment measures and strategies for the prevention of mental disorders that had proved successful abroad. The most important goal was to implement the most modern preventive measures to protect Lithuanian society from mental disorders, to provide information and to ensure that individuals and their families who encounter mental health difficulties receive accessible psychiatric help. |
