[Mental disorders in the writings of Hippocrates]

Abstract

Mental diseases are described in the work of Hippocrates as case-histories and as generalized descriptions of different diseases which are presented without classification. The term "mania" was conceived in a very broad sense. A mental disease was described called "frontis" (cura) which reminds of melancholy. The term phrenitis was conceived as acute mental disease associated with fever or with another disease, i.e. in the sense of a symptomatic psychosis in the present concept. Similarly, the term lethargus was conceived and characterized by enhanced sleepiness and irresistible desire to sleep. The school of Hippocrates described also other disorders which are now recognized as hysterical disorders of women and some phobias (e.g. of altitudes) which, however, were not yet recognized as such and were not given a name.