<P> Early glimpses of treatment of mental illness included dunking in cold water by Samuel Willard (physician), who reportedly established the first American hospital for mental illness . The history of treatment of mental disorders consists in a development through years mainly in both psychotherapy (Cognitive therapy, Behavior therapy, Group Therapy, and ECT) and psychopharmacology (drugs used in mental disorders). Psychotherapy is a relatively new method used in treatment of mental disorders . The practice of individual psychotherapy as a treatment of mental disorders is about 100 years old . Sigmund Freud (1856--1939) was the first one to introduce this concept in psychoanalysis . Cognitive therapy is a more recent therapy that was founded in the 1960s by Aaron T. Beck, an American psychiatrist . It is a more systematic and structured part of psychotherapy . It consist in helping the patient learn effective ways to overcome their problems and difficulties that causes them distress . Behavior therapy has its roots in experimental psychology . E.L. Thorndike and B.F. Skinner were among the first to work on behavior therapy . Convulsive therapy was introduced by Ladislas Meduna in 1934 . He induced seizures through a series of injections, as a means to attempt to treat schizophrenia . Meanwhile, in Italy, Ugo Cerletti substituted injections with electricity . Because of this substitution the new theory was called electro - convulsive therapy (ECT). Beside psychotherapy, a wide range of medication is used in the treatment of mental disorders . The first drugs used for this purpose were extracted from plants with psychoactive properties . Louis Lewin, in 1924, was the first one to introduce a classification of drugs and plants that had properties of this kind . The history of the medications used in mental disorders has developed a lot through years . The discovery of modern drugs prevailed during the 20th century . Lithium was discovered as a treatment of mania, by John F. Cade in 1949, "and Hammond (1871) used lithium bromide for' acute mania with depression"'. In 1937, Daniel Bovet and Anne - Marie Staub discovered the first antihistamine (Neuroleptic). In 1951 Paul Charpentier synthesized chlorpromazine (Neuroleptic). Different perspectives on the causes of psychological disorders arose . Some believed that stated that psychological disorders are caused by specific abnormalities of the brain and nervous system and that is, in principle, they should be approached for treatments in the same way as physical illness (arose from Hippocrates's ideas). </P> <P> There are numbers of practitioners who have influenced the treatment of modern mental disorders . One of the most important among them was Benjamin Rush . Benjamin Rush (1746--1813) was considered the Father of American Psychiatry for his many works and studies in the mental health field . He tried to classify different types of mental disorders, he theorized about their causes, and tried to find possible cures for them . Rush believed that mental disorders were caused by poor blood circulation, though he was wrong . He also described Savant Syndrome and had an approach to addictions . </P> <P> Other important early psychiatrists include George Parkman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., George Zeller, Carl Jung, Leo Kanner, and Peter Breggin . George Parkman (1790--1849) got his medical degree at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland . He was influenced by Benjamin Rush, who inspired him to take interest in the state asylums . He trained at the Parisian Asylum . Parkman wrote several papers on treatment for the mentally ill . Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809--1894) was an American Physician who wrote many famous writings on medical treatments . George Zeller (1858--1938) was famous for his way of treating the mentally ill . He believed they should be treated like people and did so in a caring manner . He banned narcotics, mechanical restraints, and imprisonment while he was in charge at Peoria State Asylum . Peter Breggin (1939--present) disagrees with the practices of harsh psychiatry such as electroconvulsive therapy . </P> <P> A form of treatment for many mental disorders is psychotherapy . Psychotherapy is an interpersonal intervention, usually provided by a mental health professional such as a clinical psychologist, that employs any of a range of specific psychological techniques . There are several main types . Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used for a wide variety of disorders, based on modifying the patterns of thought and behavior associated with a particular disorder . There are various kinds of CBT therapy, and offshoots such as dialectical behavior therapy . Psychoanalysis, addressing underlying psychic conflicts and defenses, has been a dominant school of psychotherapy and is still in use . Systemic therapy or family therapy is sometimes used, addressing a network of relationships as well as individuals themselves . Some psychotherapies are based on a humanistic approach . Some therapies are for a specific disorder only, for example interpersonal and social rhythm therapy . Mental health professionals often pick and choose techniques, employing an eclectic or integrative approach tailored to a particular disorder and individual . Much may depend on the therapeutic relationship, and there may be issues of trust, confidentiality and engagement . </P>

What is the best course of treatment for most mental illnesses