Why This Is The Most Disturbing Building In History

[@Thoughty2]

Thanks for watching! Invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: masterworks.art/thoughty2

[@lowlyfclips327]

Hi

[@RING_FF]

أنا راح أموت من الفرح إذا جاني اشعار يلقي متابع جديد 🤠🇩🇿🎊..

[@RING_FF]

أنا راح أموت من الفرح إذا جاني اشعار يلقي متابع جديد 🤠🇩🇿🎊..

[@mattboyce3276]

Love the channel! Thanks so much for all the entertainment 👍🏻

[@alishathehistorynerd9726]

Institutionalizing my 13 year old is my biggest fear. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Schizophrenia sucks!

[@selay333]

I've worked with the mentally ill at a facility in my area for about 14 years and I'll be honest some people still think or try to do messed up "treatments" these days reading about some of it makes me glad I'm not in a room alone with them. Though stressful at times it's still a fun job and it makes me happy knowing I've helped some become independent enough to live with minimal to no assistance once they leave.

[@l3loodyfingers]

Are you in the U.S.? The only way one can be put into a crazy house is if they commit a crime?

[@stefanm.734]

​@@l3loodyfingers Most individuals in those places are just regular people with unfortunate illnesses. Most have never committed a crime, they just have issues that prevent them from participating in regular society. Please don't contribute to harmful stereotypes about people with mental illness.

[@l3loodyfingers]

@@stefanm.734 wtf are you talking about. I asked a question. I am not contributing to anything. Who asked you? I certainly didn't.

[@l3loodyfingers]

@@stefanm.734 ignorant

[@stefanm.734]

@@l3loodyfingers The way you worded your question made it sound like a statement, is all. I see it thrown around a lot that the mentally ill are all deranged and dangerous, so I had assumed you were parroting this. I am sorry for misinterpreting you.

[@A1441]

This is heartbreaking. So much human suffering through the centuries.

[@gordonlawrence1448]

It's still going on now. Due to "Austerity" the local NHS trust has cut it's mental health budget to zero.

[@paulvale2985]

I came to the comments to suggest to Thoughty2 that he should make a video on 'Why were people in the middle ages so cruel?' Incredulous.

[@freshrot420]

If we ignore our history, not only will it repeat, it has almost no choice not to.

[@qjtvaddict]

@@gordonlawrence1448 now your country can suffer from the mentally unstable people too just like USA!!!! Look at US cities now that’s your future now that the lunatics are free without funding!!!!

[@qjtvaddict]

@@freshrot420 cutting mental health funding is the worst thing a country do it will take a few years for this to happen

[@jaspr1999]

In the seventh grade, a teacher committed suicide and a few months later a student did as well. The question of why came up a lot and the faculty of the school wasn't really allowed to talk about either death with the students. So when I got an assignment to write a paper that I was supposed to give in Engish class... Speech is more like it, I chose the subject of the history of mental help. This was the 70s, so everything had to be found in the library and nothing involving the subject was nice. All of it was horror stacked on horror. Everything from what used to be popular to Rosemary Kennedy, which was still a scandal even then. My conclusion, as a seventh-grader, was if you have problems it's safer and easier to kill yourself than show or tell anyone you are having problems and that was why a teacher and a student died. My conclusion was NOT popular and I got in a lot of trouble for that conclusion, as well as got an F for the assignment. Fortunately, times have improved in the fields of mental illness, unfortunately, the mentality of society has not. The word "Crazy" is treated with as much care now as it was then.

[@tawagb1880]

Yeah well I have terrible mental health.

[@сынмаминойподруги-р8м]

healthcare in the field of mental illness is still barbaric. drugs destroy the brain, patients are literally forced to eat up whatever they are given even if they got admitted voluntarily, etc

[@paulvale2985]

Excellent comment Jasper. No one (it seems) likes the truth.

[@808bigisland]

85% of the population are barking mad.

[@jaspr1999]

@@808bigisland - Yup! ... And I"ll be the first one to, "WOOF!" Sorry, I've been barking for years... Just not so much in the comments section.

[@galaxy-eyesgarchomp9478]

As a Psychology major, I was excited to watch this video as soon as I saw the title. As sad as these old insane asylums are, they are extremely fascinating to hear or read about.

[@GyzelE]

Change your major! I have my B.S. in psychology, yet i work at a factory, having just quit another factory for better pay/hours.

[@galaxy-eyesgarchomp9478]

@@GyzelE No can do, I want to help kids with Autism feel like they belong, something I wish I had as a child. Becoming a counselor is the only way I can.

[@myrkr_]

@@galaxy-eyesgarchomp9478 good on you. I hope you see success in your aspiration!

[@galaxy-eyesgarchomp9478]

@@myrkr_ Thank you for that

[@louisolsen7147]

@A L O O_____🗯️ very interesting if you're a sadist

[@joot9184]

I was institutionalized a few years ago for constant anxiety attacks and let me tell you, a lot has changed yes, but people in there are treated very poorly. These places are so dull and unhappy its like they're trying to keep you ill, your pretty much a prisoner, my mom came to visit me everyday and they would only let her stay strictly for 20 minutes. They had given me some sleeping pills and I started feeling ill, I knocked on the office door several times and they were looking directly at me and still chose to ignore me, it was because of a guy that was changing pillow sheets that he helped me finally get a nurse to come out, I told them how I felt and gave me a benadryl. They just want you knocked out and zombefied to not deal with you. In the morning, just a few hours later they gave me some other pill, I couldn't take it anymore and called my mom crying to come pick me up, she had to fight for 3 hours to get me out of there and the doctor was telling her that I might kill myself. It took a week for the effects of whatever the hell they gave me to fully wear off. I go to another physician a few days later and turns out one of the drugs they gave me was too strong for a 17 year old. These places are a lot less shit but still shit none the less.

[@thehandliesthandle]

in many places today forced electroshock "therapy" is still used, which i learned is actually essencially a lobotomy. the electricity damages the brain in the same way. we have not evolved that much, and there still is a disdain for the mentally ill for problems they cannot control

[@KatieCatWalker]

My ex's sister was sent to one because her HS counselor said she was suicidal. His mom fought like hell to get her out because not only wasn't she suicidal but because she noticed her daughters behavior changed and she was a zombie. Thankfully their mom is a nurse so she knew right away what they were giving her. They tried to play "You're a mother so of course you're going to worry... Etc etc etc." it took her pretending to be on the phone with an attorney for her to get her out.

[@David-sk9vv]

I truly hope you are, at the very least on a road of recovery. Even today, we have to be so careful when ushing for mental health support. Many so-called treatments are totally useless, but are so popular with medical professionals because they are cheap! Take care and be amazing!

[@Datrebor]

It is still mind boggling how we treated people in the past. To torture and experiment on them like they did is heartbreaking.

[@davidarundel6187]

Is today really any different ? From what I've seen when visiting the ward at the local hospital , was disturbing enough seeing the 'inmates' doped up to the eyeballs , just so the staff have an easy time of it .. I've also presently got aqaintences, , who would have been in Bedlam or one of the psychiatric hospitals in this country , which have thankfully close d , except one for the "crininaly insane" called Lake Alice . I used to know some of the staff , at 2 of our instructions , one was quite careing of the patients , another should have been one of the inmates .

[@сынмаминойподруги-р8м]

@@davidarundel6187 yes, precisely. Tranquilizers are the new chains.

[@paulvale2985]

@@davidarundel6187 I knew a psychiatric nurse (male) who jested that when a patient begged for just half a cigarette he (the Nurse) used a razor blade to cut a cigarette length ways! Oh how fucking clever was he???

[@davidarundel6187]

@@paulvale2985 about as clever as one nurse I used to know , who got the boot , within 2 weeks of meeting him . The patients have a hard enough time with their conditions , without having to deal with sadistic nurses , who are often more in need of being institutionalized than some of the patients .

[@tgbluewolf]

And sad also is that, while there are unfortunately always some cruel people, they just didn't know what we do about the human body and mind, and actually thought some of these things would help...and as has been mentioned below, patients are still abused, out of both simple ignorance and cruelty. I honestly wonder if it isn't worse now, since back then with a more religious bent people believed in caring for others based on all being created by God (albeit people like these discussed were believed to be tormented by devils when they actually had mental illnesses) and everyone having been created for a greater purpose, whereas now society seems to be much more cynical and hopeless.

[@epowell4211]

The most outrageous part of the "low cure rate" at Bedlam is (from what I've heard) that many of it's "patients" weren't mentally ill at all - several were prisoners without trial. A disobedient or inconvenient wife could easily be committed, people with scandalous habits such as drinking or speaking their thoughts, or those who knew the crimes of officials - if you had money or influence, you could pack your pesky relative or rival off to Bedlam. Even those with actual illnesses or simply different abilities (deaf, autistic, slow, etc.) could be sent there and be at the mercy of the criminally insane/staff. My information could be wrong - I certainly can't cite sources - but this is the impression I have of historical asylums.

[@rubyslippers1935]

You’re spot on. Asylums weren’t just for mentally disturbed. I saw a documentary on KZbin a few years ago on the last mental asylum in England to be closed down. Wish I could remember it to link it.

[@calvaryishere1632]

hey dont call disabilities "different abilities" we're disabled not superman

[@thewholeofdainland256]

This was the same premise as the Salem Witch Trials. "I don't like you get hanged"

[@SrGemmaRose]

But even if you got sent there with no mental illness, you’d certainly have one after living with that torture.

[@arianalush4529]

Basicslly if you didn’t act ‘normal’ you were insane 🙄🙄🙄ridiculous

[@curiousworld7912]

In a recent 'debate' over the novel, 'Jane Eyre', some thought it monstrously cruel that Mr. Rochester kept his 'mad' wife locked in an upstairs room, with a woman hired to care for her. I thought, considering the alternatives - such as Bedlam - that he was being compassionate.

[@cherylm2C6671]

Read it again, with a closer look at Briggs' role in the proceedings. Acquisition by offshore marriage was an issue, and, apparently, the Rochester family had a reputation.

[@rekietabeatslc9980]

The rich kept their mentally ill hidden, the poor souls that ended up in asylums were on their own.

[@Rebecca_English]

@@cherylm2C6671 True, the marriage between Edward Rochester and Bertha Mason was definitely transactional, but Edward Rochester wasn't entirely to blame for it. Edward Rochester was basically forced into the marriage by his father and older brother, and the Mason family carefully arranged things so that Bertha's character, before she lost her reason, was carefully concealed. Bertha was not considered a lunatic when she married Rochester, and Rochester didn't despise Bertha for her insanity. Rather her wild, hard-partying ways while she was still sane are what earned his contempt. It's easy for us as modern readers to think Rochester was being cruel by locking Bertha up. But he wasn't. He actually was being kind by confining her at Thornfield Hall. He easily could have chosen a less comfortable situation for her, either in Ferndean or an asylum. He certainly isn't blameless, but he isn't a monster either, which is what makes him so interesting.

[@koldaussie]

This is one of the many reasons thatI don't like hearing old books lbeing discussed with today's "moral compass". People only judge the action and not what the surrounding circumstances behind the actions were. 1 truly do wish we were the "enlightened" people that we claim ourselves as being,because sadly, we still live in a world where we really aren't much different than we were 200-300 years ago in some things today. Some days, our only difference is that we are more hypocritical in our intentions and more vocal, arrogant and prejudgemental in what we say about what we are doing.

[@somniumisdreaming]

Woman were locked away and went into insanity from boredom and isolation. They were not allowed to read or sew incase they over heated their emotions. The Yellow Wallpaper is a good read and shows the hell any isolation can send someone into especially if they had depression in the first place.

[@semi-trad-kind-of-wife]

As a mental health patient myself, with anxiety and bipolar disorders, I'm really grateful that I'm alive in the "here and now" and not the "there and then"...

[@ElsaMusicVideos]

same here, I have both of those, and I 100% agree. I'd be totally fucked.

[@TPNsBiggestFan]

@@ElsaMusicVideos autistic with a severe anxiety disorder, i’d totally be dead

[@northernbelle7020]

Well, I guess we should start a club! Here with both Bipolar and Anxiety disorders. Was just thinking how grateful I am my for medications!

[@Dan_Kanerva]

depending on how "crazy" your bipolar disorder is , you could easily pass as any other regular person Back then , being anxious or a little bipolar was not seem as "insanity"

[@ElsaMusicVideos]

@@northernbelle7020 Same here! My meds are everything! They changed my life in such a positive way :)

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

Bedlam wasn't the only insane asylum to allow guided tours. The same thing happened at the Pennsylvania State Hospital in Philadelphia, which was started around the middle of the 18th Century for the purpose of providing free medical care for those who couldn't afford it. Incidentally, one of the prominent Philadelphia citizens who helped to finance the building of the hospital was Benjamin Franklin. Around the time that the hospital was finally opened in 1752, there was for some reason an epidemic of mental illnesses throughout the American colonies. After a while, those with mental diseases who were admitted at the Pennsylvania State Hospital outnumbered the ones with physical sicknesses, so that the place became little more than a mental institution. Because very few people in those days knew anything about the nature and causes of mental disorders, the curing of the deranged and the insane was almost impossible, and as a result, most of the patients spent years or even decades at the hospital, and some were never discharged at all. Many of them died in the place, some from physical sicknesses, others from natural causes, while still others committed suicide. As with Bedlam, guests were given tours of the Pennsylvania State Hospital. At first, admission was free, then the tourists were charged four cents a head. Unfortunately, it was often difficult to screen the cruel from the crowds, and some of the spectators would taunt or laugh at the "mad" patients, and even poke sticks at them through the bars of their cells. Again, like Bedlam, the Pennsylvania State Hospital became something of a human zoo. Ironically, it was in Philadelphia that the first real zoo with live animals in the United States opened in 1874, although some may argue that the Pennsylvania State Hospital was America's first zoo, even though the "animals" were PEOPLE!

[@kingboss2158]

I'm from Philadelphia and did not know that thanks 💯

[@gustaftheone9279]

I had a drive-through tour of the residents at Sunbury insane Asylum (Victoria Australia) about 25 years ago. Was free though - you could just go there & see them “in action”.

[@automnejoy5308]

​@@gustaftheone9279 Holy shit. Really? I didn't even know this was done historically, let alone as recently as 25 years ago. I can't even imagine how bizarre of an experience that must have been.

[@bigmandrums4346]

Don't forget Trans Allegheny Asylum in Moundsville WV

[@robinginnette]

Pennhurst opened in 1908. I live in Pittsburgh and am a Sociology M.A. The reason for Pennhurst was eugenics. That is all. Eugenics rode high in the late 1800s - early 1900s. It just didn't die. In a way still hasn't. It was a child dumping ground for epileptics, Downs Syndrome, and Developmental Disability. Locked up the can't breed. They only allowed cohabitation after birth control popped out. However, I am sure illegal sterilization was used.

[@KingOfWinter]

“Why would one of the wealthiest families tie up almost/over a billion dollars of their money in fine art?” To not have to pay taxes on it duh lol

[@mayanboricua]

@A L O O_____🗯️ No.

[@VerenicruzX]

Money laundering

[@user-ce5yh3zx4v]

❗❗

[@silentrevolver4600]

Because pricing is arbitrary, and is determined by those who are willing to pay the price. As long as the Uber rich is willing to trade Art for cash, it’s value is preserved under a mutual understanding.

[@ande991]

Thats my plan too then

[@mamapoch1915]

I myself have a mental illness called schizoaffective disorder and have been hospitalized twice. Even though the last time was a mere 30 years ago, the conditions of the hospital then were horrible. I cannot imagine the suffering of people in the 12th and 13th centuries. Even today, the stigma attached to mental illness is horrible. People blame the heinous acts that others commit on mental illness when that's not the cause at all. It's still tough today.

[@Chris-nj4kx]

Pretty sure people see through their heinous acts

[@angiestalesfromwales1590]

schizophrenic here. we still suffer every single day, except now we're just given stupid amounts of sedatives instead of being physically abused. I'm tired of being treated like a public health hazard.

[@charmedquartz7528]

Ooh I have that with my bipolar disorder. It’s super scary to feel like you’re losing control over your choices when admitted. I bet it was hell.

[@bomcstoots1]

Mental illness doesn't exist. You simply lack the will power and discipline to create order out of chaos

[@Chris-nj4kx]

@@bomcstoots1 bruh

[@SixtySixHundred-1982]

As someone with more than my share of mental health issues, I'm glad I live in an age where there's a better understanding of mental illness. There's still a lot to learn, but we've come so far and, OMG am I grateful for that. 😅 As per usual, excellent video, Thoughty. 👍 This one really got me thinking. 🙂

[@patriciatriolo1585]

It is wonderful that you have a positive attitude about tour mental health issues. I worked as a mental health professional for over 35 years. I have seen both improvements and disappointments. It is still not well understood and those with severe problems still suffer but actually less resources to help them.

[@P2D_x]

Everyone has a god complex in youtube comments. Fml.

[@greeneyedlilpup745]

I have a mental illness and it’s scary to think that I probably would’ve been put into a place like this. I also have Cerebral Palsy. My family never gave up on me and they helped me to live a good life. I could’ve been sent to any of these asylums jus based on my cerebral palsy alone.. glad things have changed in that regard.

[@Souls-at-zer0]

Yup! I'd rather have someone say " just go for a walk and you will be better..just be happy " then being locked up in a basement being beat tell I died ......

[@laurieb3703]

Same!! THANK GOD 😬😬😬

[@raylightbown4968]

I'm a retired clinical psychologist. The history of mental illness is a long, shocking and tragic one. The Doctors Tuke, there were several of them from the same Quaker family in the 19th century, were instrumental in the humane treatment of people with mental illnesses. Psychiatric drugs became the breakthrough in treatment in 1940s and 1950s. When I started working 50 years ago, there were still many elderly people who had been put in psychiatric hospitals because they were gay or had illegimate babies in their youth.

[@Forgottenlove123]

Whilst I agree the horrendous practices should be left to the past, they should not be forgotten. History has a habit of repeating itself when forgotten.

[@karlhans6678]

we need to reopen Bedlam and send the woke there

[@kuhlemanzini2410]

@@karlhans6678 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mrmelon4444]

If they repeat this history I would have even less faith in society than I do now

[@Skyler_8322]

It's Impressive that this channel is one of the only ones that consistently makes good content. Keep it up!

[@mihaimaracine5373]

It’s not look in any yt Chanel and you will see comments like yours

[@nick22091]

There’s a long list of channels that consistently upload great content so you need to either pull your tongue out of his arse or broaden your intake of channels.

[@Fei_PL]

We can't tell if it is good content because we know nothing and we do not bother to do our own research ;) "Who knows nothing have to belive in everything"

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

@A L O O_____🗯️ I think you have some misconceptions about what the word "butter" means.. it's not an adjective used for describing women, as you seem to believe, Mr. Bot.

[@oracleofdelphi4533]

@Skyler8322 I don't know what's with these other commentors. they seem kind of judgemental. I agree with you that this channel consistently posts content worth watching.

[@sirtrollalot7762]

A dude I grew up with was sectioned at Bethlem, he told me about his wild dreams and weird figures he would see in reflections while there and hadn't seen since o.O

[@noveparker8597]

Thats super weird 🤭

[@idanthyrsus6887]

I love that little thoughty still has a full mustache.

[@rzub]

Haha yeah 🤣

[@Lucien_75]

It's the source of all his powers. 😉

[@tylerslatoff596]

I was looking for this comment

[@ajdexter4195]

It fascinates me how as little as 300 years ago they had no idea how to help mentality ill people, that doing these things would help? I mean is it not common sense that a peaceful environment, fresh air and exercise would maybe help? This wouldn’t cure people but would make their lives a little easier…

[@enolagardens]

it's not really that simple, we can't pretend like the "doctors" weren't simply cruel and equally mentally ill as the people living there, these were torturous experiments that had no regulation or supervision and murderous psychopaths would of course gravitate to these doctor roles much like they do (less often) nowadays. they didn't care about making these people get better, they wanted them to stop showing symptoms, hence the torture and especially things like the spinning chair or the lobotomy which basically make you brain dead.

[@lydiaquartz813]

as someone who has spent a total of roughly 3 months in a mental hospital, I'm so glad that it's no longer like this. there's still a fair way to go in terms of understanding in mental health of course but I'm happy that they at least had a vague understanding of what i needed.

[@just_passing_through]

As an Australian born in the UK, but migrating at the age of seven, I had always assumed that everyone knew the origin of the world ‘bedlam’. It had simply never occurred to me that it wasn’t common knowledge.

[@dawnharley9889]

Same here I've always known and took it for granted everyone else knew

[@dawsie]

Same here I was born in the Shetland Islands and lived all over the UK due to Dad being in the military, we learned about Bedlam in History class. When we moved to Australia in 78 nobody here knew what it really meant at all. I was 15 when we moved Australia, and oh boy talk about chalk and cheese it was like stepping back in time to the late 60’s when we got here.

[@somniumisdreaming]

Brit here and same, bit of strawman clickbait I think.

[@p1p1pupu]

American here and I gotta be honest, I’ve never heard of the word, let alone knew its origin, until this video lol

[@lovely09ization]

I’m literally from the UK, born in London and have never heard of this word lol

[@landoncook4529]

Everytime I watch one of your videos, you remind me more and more of the greatest teacher I ever had. He was a high school history teacher, and he had a wonderful sense of humor and wit. His name, was Earl Weiderman. I will never forget him, and all he taught me. Please don't stop making these!

[@General-History101]

I actually had family in Bethlam as a patient. Also, from a fellow youtuber i wanna say great content and you really inspire me!

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Sorry that the first reply was a spam porn site. I'm going to check out your channel 👍

[@noveparker8597]

Me too!! My cousin went there and a girl head-butted her or something, i don’t exactly remember the story 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@General-History101]

@@noveparker8597 noice

[@DuckAllMighty]

When a building in the beginning of the 1800's London was considered to be uninhabitable, I can't really imagine how bad condition that building is in, considering their normal prisons where still a pretty bad place.

[@maximilianoandres8821]

Most economists expect the unemployment rate - which counts how many people are able to work and want a job, but can't find one - to rise this year.

[@sandracarl5373]

I certainly won't be a millionaire at the end of this bull run, however I had 10k invested 6 months ago in bitcoin, I'm sitting at 26k now with 50% in eth and 20% in other alts....am very happy and thankful to Dave Robert who made this possible I still believe with his help I would soon be a millionaire 😊

[@juliette8958]

I would rate his winnings as 85/100

[@kobybarnes3035]

@@sandracarl5373 CRYPTO IS A SCAM

[@morgan5106]

I was actually in a physch ward two weeks ago for a little over a week, while it was terrible and almost contradictory to the goal of helping mental health, this is down right horrendous

[@ct92404]

I've been in a psych ward before too, for observation, for about 4-5 days. It was at a county hospital. For me the problem wasn't the hospital staff or the place itself - they actually treated me fairly well. The problem was the other patients and seeing them yelling and talking to themselves despite whatever medication they were supposed to be on! One lady would just wander around the hallways laughing and talking to herself all day. It was scary.

[@WaiferThyme]

This was horrific yet interesting at the same time. I love small Thorty with the moustache haha. Can you please do a video on Nellie Bly and her investigation of the assylum in new york? Its such an amazing story

[@ryanmartinez6410]

Proper word would be horrifying not horrific.

[@lucyk.5163]

@@ryanmartinez6410 Horrific was used correct here as an adjective. What are you on about?

[@faouri.]

@@lucyk.5163 better to use horrifying as it also means extremely shocking at the same time as meaning horrifying. So it would fit better although he did use it correctly.

[@Legion849]

@@lucyk.5163 Horrifying would fit better than horrific. It makes the sentence sound more proper

[@Baelor-Breakspear]

He did. In this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5jbpGeVZ997f8U

[@wewillwin24]

This is similar to the term "that came out of left field". Around 1900 one of the Chicago professional baseball parks had an asylum next to left field. Sometimes the patients would scream odd things out of the windows during the game, coining the term.

[@anonymouse7394]

Finally one of the channels I follow that makes informative videos that isn't posting content about war. Know I could count on u to not stress me out Thoughty2

[@SecretWars98]

Cake rolled lol! 😆 First time I’ve ever actually checked out a comment Dammit ya got me! 👍 Savor the Flavor it won’t happen again 😋

[@thejudgmentalcat]

I'm using "pauper lunatic" the next time someone asks me my occupation 🤣 Arran choosing animation of him as a child sporting that stache was my giggle moment of the day! 👍❤

[@tims8603]

Where I live, there was a mental 'hospital'. I went there with fellow High School students on a field trip. It was a very old, run down building a long way from my town in farmland. Very creepy. In those days, it was more of a holding place for those people to keep them away from society. It closed down shorty after my visit and a new, more modern building was built in town. Treatment has improved significantly since those early days, thanks to science.

[@sauravrao234]

A day doesn't go by when I don't thank the gods that I am living in the age of science and technology

[@stephenjohn2131]

There's always two sides of the coin. In a way yes we are quite fortunate to live through the "peak of humanity" era. Some would call it other names and rightfully so.

[@Yvonned2011]

They still don’t know how to treat mental illness .

[@lozygamer7071]

Im writing a psychology assignment thats includes me talking about Bethlam so this is a great video to help me out, thank you :> Edit: I hate auto correct

[@TheAshCooper]

Bedlam. But yeah.

[@faouri.]

@@TheAshCooper its actually Bethlam but yeah

[@thetruthwillout9094]

Bethlam in his video. 🤔 Smh.

[@lozygamer7071]

..damn auto correct

[@mayanboricua]

Bethlehem?

[@poutinedavid8937]

"Some horrors are best left in the past, where they belong." Yes, except for the names of the victims who were prisoners. The names of the murder victims should be remembered. It's just sad to think that a lot of them were thrown in mass graves, with no one to remember them. No children, no family. They died unknown.

[@lily-mo2gc]

Imagine seeking help from an establishment who was supposed to provide assistance and you literally get chained and tortured into different inhumane ways. Wow.

[@inkandoldleather4587]

You are an absolutely beautiful storyteller, one of the best I've ever heard.

[@xPhantomxify]

I like the cheeky look in your picture

[@lizreynolds2445]

He is good! Check out History Tea Time with Lindsay Holiday you'll like it if you like this man.

[@jonathanjackgoodman2764]

How anyone ever thought they could beat the crazy out of someone is beyond me.

[@allisonmarlow184]

This was truly shocking ...and disturbing. I can't believe how long this went on ...HUNDREDS of years! 800 years! Since the 1200's. There is so much to consider here, you did an excellent job presenting this history - and in an entertaining way, too.

[@exidy-yt]

Totally disagree with the ending, as shamful as Bedlam's history was, it should NEVER be brushed under the rug, and must remain in the public conciousness so as to be a lesson never to be forgotten, or repeated.

[@odapunkt]

After a suicide attempt at thirteen I was in mental institutions until I was 18 and even though laws may have changed, my experience would be so shocking no one would believe it, none of the doctors were following any laws.

[@charly258b]

I was sent here by CPS in 1990 when I was 14 years of age. I was for almost a year. It was a good place until I was sexually assaulted by way of the adult patients with a history of sexually abusing kids, that lived in the on-ground halfway house. That is when things became a living nightmare. Their first step was to shame me and try and make me feel like it was my fault. The head psychiatrist for the unit I was on "Dr. Evans" went as far as to tell me I wanted it to happen in a meeting with my treatment team. They placed me in a safe room for days naked with nothing to cover myself with or lay on, but the cold floor. Every few hours they would come in and hold me down and give me a shot of Thorazine. I was only given raw veggies like lettuce and sliced carrots to eat. from there I was tied down to a bed for a week. I was not suicidal when I got there, but after I left there I was. No charges were ever filed against the patient. Protecting the reputation of the hospital was more important than my mental health. I left that place with more issues than I arrived with. Issues that were created from their treatment of me after the attack. I did not receive help in dealing with and processing the attack. I was given aggressive treatment and gaslighting to convince me the attack never happen. Dr. Evans instructed my therapist at the time to inform me "If I do not make progress in my treatment to dispel the disillusions that I was attacked, he would have no choice but to send me to a state hospital for the remainder of my life, where the living conditions were worst. It did not work, and I was transferred to a state hospital. Altobello Youth center where I actually got true help. They have never apologized to me.

[@lonepyqq]

We learn a lot from Thoughty2. I always (like mostly) watch this channel on our television. It's been like 4 or 5 years I started watching Thoughty2.

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Wow. Bless their hearts. For those who had medical issues or mental issues and their families didn't want to deal with them, their last days consisted of being tortured. Wow. No wonder why there's so many ghosts (or earthbound spirits) crawling the landscape in the UK. Rest in peace all...you deserved better than that.

[@andybalsa]

stories like this one are super interesting. have you made a video on the Orphan Trains of the 1800's? i think it's a super interesting topic. greetings from Mexico! i love your channel.

[@toosuperior9770]

the way you present your videos is so awesome, you'd beat most TV presenters

[@TeriBzw]

I really loved how the depiction of you as a kid also has a moustache. Made me smile despite the bedlam

[@dougalexander7204]

I have experience with a schizophrenia grandmother committed to a state hospital for indigents. Visiting as a child was terrifying and disturbing, but nothing like you described at Bedlam. Those poor souls, death must have been welcome.

[@roobs8871]

Ive been a patient at this hospital so many times. Its literal hell, even with all the ''reforms''. i am so scared if i get sectioned again theyll send me back there

[@cheftekard7165]

Amazing and thought provoking as always my friend. You’re the ONLY KZbinr I give to on a monthly basis. Your videos are well worth it. May your popularity continue to soar!

[@uingaeoc3905]

T2 skipped the period of reform after the relocation from the City of London site - now Liverpool Street- to a new hospital in St George's Fields across the river in Southwark. The City owned the new site and built the new hospital there. T2 did show a picture of this and conditions were completely different there. When the move was made to Kent just after WW1 that left the building which is now the nucleus of the Imperial War Museum surrounded by a public park.

[@Seastar14TheWitch]

It's so disturbing to know that, because of my autism and ADD, I myself might have been in such a place back then. Horrible...horrible....

[@fredo1070]

The Bedlam building is now the Imperial War Museum.

[@mikeoxmells-grimm8876]

Found your channel the other day and been hooked ever since, keep it up!!

[@Angelique.Y]

There is actually a free museum at the bedlam hospital that does an excellent job talking about the ethical issues with the hospitals past

[@Nyctophora]

Thank you for a compassionate and informative look at this.

[@gellichan09]

crazy that this hospital is even still going today with all that history. no doubt there are also other hospitals that still do treat their patients this way. i just hope those would be reformed as well and removed from society.

[@everettschneider8845]

Loved this one been watching you for years always interesting thought of course

[@locohobo1925]

As someone with much personal experience with mental illness, I know that treatment has, of course, improved significantly in the last 100 years. I also know, however, that the label of ‘mentally ill’ is still applied with disdain by most people who have never had personal exposure. It’s still treated as a great shame and weakness, as well as a sign of poor character. Many view mental illness as a choice, and that someone with (e.g.) clinical depression should just stop being so lazy. it’s just that now it’s considered inappropriate (not pc) to voice such views. As most mental illnesses are essentially wiring issues in one’s brain; some can be managed, but most are incurable. In my last position of employment, due to frequent absences, it was assumed by my coworkers that I was an irresponsible alcoholic. There should be a initiative to move away from the ‘mentally ill’ label, as it will never be understood, much less respected, by the general public.

[@vlork666]

I love imagining you as a child with a full mustache

[@martineldritch]

Great vid as usual. For those who might appreciate a good old musical folk romp, recommend the song "Boys of Bedlam" . I like the Steeleye Span version. "...for they all go bare and they live by the air..." (Some thought that the insane housed there did not need food or drink to survive. They "lived by the air" )

[@davebicker8618]

One of Steeleye's best. Apparently, to get the particular vocal effect, they sang into the back of a banjo!

[@georgehenry76]

I used to work for an art storage firm. A lot of these works that people own are not even in a condition to have any value. Yet they do.

[@mattprior8442]

I think a horror TV show can be made out of this mental asylum .

[@SlapstickGenius23]

There are asylums in tv shows like the Simpsons.

[@e-4990]

watch American Horror Story season 2. it’s about an asylum and it’s probably the best season and story of the whole show

[@RubyBlueUwU]

As an artist I’m begging you all to stop assigning any artistic merit to these elaborate online scams

[@stephenjohn2131]

What do you specialize in?

[@AA-BB]

@@stephenjohn2131 whining

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

still, its better than people claiming their digital pictures are "art"

[@isabellacooke3596]

I love how I literally live right down the road from this hospital

[@MrBlobbysLover]

The only reason I knew what Bedlam was was listening to James Blunt’s album Back to Bedlam on repeat as a kid. These stories really hit home for me, because I know had I been born a few hundred years ago, I probably would’ve ended up somewhere like that. It scares me how little ago it was.

[@ianericasterling7667]

Man I love your videos. Specially on fridays. Get home from work, crack a beer and watch some thoughty 2.

[@darthpizza3849]

Me who’s never heard bedlam in my life 😂

[@jennifertingelof-truecrime5890]

As someone who has been in a mental ward a couple of times i am very happy it isn't like this anymore

[@spacetimeworm]

I know it's just some thing you said to close out the video, but it's a terrible idea to forget these horrific things that happened. When we begin to forget history, history begins to repeat.

[@badarock177]

I thank you from yhe bottom of my heart for your sensible and light hearted way of talking of such horrors. I my country, people with mental illnesses wete mistreated until the 1970's with no consquences. It's a sad subject and still you adressed it in a human manner, showing respect but showing the actual terrible facts. You are really unique and gifted. I wish you the best.

[@Dragons4Dummies]

Honestly prison is almost preferable to a mental hospital, even in modern times. They have way, way better amenities in the US. For example, I can actually talk with a therapist/ councilor in prison. They still have group sessions like the hospital. And I can have a laptop. They even have reading books in prison. Guaranteed outside time, even if they "don't feel like it today". They don't wake you up at 5:30 am with a blood pressure cuff. The beds are functionally the same. You can make money. You can get legal advice on how to get out. In other words, don't get committed, just go commit... A crime! It's way, way better for your mental health. Literally all I would have missed if I spent time in prison instead of a mental hospital is a privacy curtain. The people aren't even friendlier, the doctors or the patients. Pretty sure a prison gang would have been less unsettling than a floor of DT'ing meth addicts and people with tourrettes shouting profanities and racial slurs in the middle of the night - okay the last part is probably the same, but still.

[@mosriteminioncause7741]

Society has always tried to determine "normality vs. abnormality." Just think of how many people's behavior today would deem them unfit only a few decades ago? But the question is - "How far will modern society stretch the word "normal" to fit some truly disturbing behavior?"

[@Tecknownoobs]

Interesting video since it shows how far we've come in terms of care for those experiencing mental illness. However, it makes me wonder if 100 years from now, our forms of treatment (aka pharmaceuticals such as neuroleptics, antidepressants etc.) will be viewed as barbaric and unethical? Especially with the side effects of these drugs; the fact they can be forced on people against their will if deemed necessary; the reality of lack of funding and resources for things like addiction and psychotherapy; as well as the continued use of restraints like seclusion and pharmaceuticals (even though they try to reduce the use of restraints like seclusion as much as possible). Despite whether we view these functions as ethical or not , it would be very interesting to see the future's perspective on our current forms of treatment regarding mental illness.

[@thenewworldofpeace7819]

I suffer from severe PTSD and anxiety due to my military service. I’m a mental health facility and have been for 7 months. I’ve been doing EMDR therapy and it’s changed my life. Some nurses have power trips but for the most part it’s been a loving and caring place and I am grateful to be alive. Sure glad things have changed.

[@davidlancaster6941]

Very informative but its driving me crazy. Thanks Thoughty2 for another detailed lesson. I hope we've learned from these past mistakes.

[@willmatthews878]

How we've progressed. Fancy paying to watch those poor unfortunates in the asylum, these days it's beamed across the globe, into our homes in the form of 'Love Island'

[@deadinside8719]

Still some boomer will,"good old days"🤦🏼‍♀️

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

@Salty Pureblood its amusing that gen z think they are original in the things they do.

[@StarlightSystemGaming]

We should not forget any of this! Knowing and understanding the past prevents worse from happening in the future!

[@nrgao]

Wow. This was both extraordinarily interesting and heartbreaking. Great video as usual, sir!

[@st.dennie1149]

Honestly, we need to open these back up, the ill should not be walking our streets in such numbers.

[@Kov1208]

Man’s got that mustache when he was a “child”

[@tiffanyroberts7059]

Thank you for this video, I love your channel. I have enjoyed watching your channel for a few months now and I learn new things with each video. You are so well spoken and a delight to listen to.

[@briannas.lasvegas]

I wonder where that 15% cured stat comes from. If that's actually 15% of patients released which is not the same as being cured. I can't imagine anyone being cured in that type of place.

[@SnowForgeHammer]

I'm absolutely loving the filtered vocal setting. Suits you. It's got that old school radio vibe. I'll happily listen to this in bed to relax.

[@pixieonthemoon8633]

The last line won the like. Excellent work, sir!

[@georginagraham411]

My mum grew up next to the old bedlam park hospital in Lambeth, which was and is the imperial war museum now. So many ghostly stories connected to it. My mother and her siblings saw a lot of spooky activities growing up in west square right next to it.

[@kimbunchalastnames5357]

as someone who was dx'd with bipolar disorder at the age of 15 -- and every year or so thereafter until i was 25 and gave up the argument -- i was, and still am, way more acquainted with hospitals, asylums, institutions, and other halls of learning and misapplication than i wish to be. all i really have to say about the process is that videos like this help shine a light on a subject that is still primarily in the dark, and that every time you wink at me, my ovaries quiver just a little. lol.

[@xPhantomxify]

If thats you in the picture, damn you look great

[@kimbunchalastnames5357]

@@xPhantomxify that's me, all right, but i couldn't tell you how many years ago it was. not that i don't know -- just that i couldn't tell you, lol. i thank you, though, and early me thanks you as well. 🤐🤫

[@xPhantomxify]

@@kimbunchalastnames5357 it looks like the 80s

[@kimbunchalastnames5357]

@@xPhantomxify good eye! :D

[@infledermaus]

During the Battle of Britain, a Luftwaffe pilot who had jumped from his stricken plane floated down ... into the courtyard of Bedlam Hospital. The residents were less than amused by his visit. I don't know happened to him after he landed, but I suspect it wasn't very pleasant.

[@oliverpetroski4205]

😳 Just imagine, you could have ended up in there just for having different stile, or even for riged political reason😬

[@gordonlawrence1448]

The local mental asylum where I used to live had someone who was put there by her wealthy family because she fell in love with a stable hand. 60 years in there and she was not capable of living elsewhere and her mental health went within 5 years which was typical for the time.

[@socialdistancingon8333]

At times, you could also be put in an asylum simply for not having the desire to cook your husband dinner. You were declared an hysterical woman and they tried to re-shape your uterus with medical devices that caused more medical problems than they solved...

[@ems90s]

Your videos are truly so well put together and incredibly informative. Love your channel!

[@cateliminated5462]

Yoooooooo

[@ongopom]

real

[@IsMyLesbainShowing]

damn the first reply you get is an only fans thing. must show how lonely you are

[@cateliminated5462]

@@IsMyLesbainShowing lol

[@tetrahexaeder6312]

From one perspective it hurts a lot to see that people were punished in two ways. First for being mentally ill in the first place and second for being tortured BECAUSE of the first reason. As you said in the video they could rather be described as prisoners instead of patients. As if having an illness was like commiting a crime. That's devastating! On the other hand, as someone who's becoming a therapist myself I am fascinated by the history of psychiatries and am really grateful that there has changed so much even in the last decades. You can't compare nowadays mental health facilities with these asylums back in the days. You couldn't even give them the same name. Whole different world. Although I am aware that even nowadays there are methods and doctors highly questionable. But I see that the mental health field is on a good way!

[@gypsyfreak7934]

can we put all the sjws in this place please

[@raspberryberet6755]

being autistic with ocd and possible bpd, i know i definitely would have been locked up back then and even now I'm afraid that someday i might have to go into an institution for treatment if i become too unwell. very deeply grateful for having been born in this century and not the last few.

[@mutilatedpopsicles]

All these bots disgust me, it's like people think everyone on KZbin is a horny old man inside. Onto a lighter note, I'm a big fan of Thoughty2, keep up the good work :)

[@empruror]

0:15 I like how he mention's he's a child and still has a majestic moustache

[@OdeToAphrodite]

Things have gotten definitely better since then but as someone who has been an inpatient at a mental institution rather recently (last time I checked in was 3 years ago), I think I can say it's the bare minimum. I know my experience is not everyone's but the nurses working at the facility I was admitted to literally bullied me. The male ones were also gross and sometimes they borderline would sexually harass the other female patients (we were minors). They would flat out call some of us crazy and the favoritism they had for some of the wealthier girls or those with a less stigmatized condition was evident. They wouldn't even allow me to participate in some activities that didn't require privileges and I was also told to stay in my bed for a large part of the day. My assigned psychologists and psychiatrists made no efforts to actually help me. Sometimes they would leave before our sessions ended with the excuse of having to go to the bathroom and never come back. At the end of the day my guardians had to take me out of there because my mental state was worsening rather than stabilizing itself and the next few months were the worst I've ever lived through. Thankfully I'm back to normal and living an ordinary life but the experience did leave me with some trauma and a fear of hospitals of any kind, and a heavy distrust toward its personnel and even some mental health professionals (I actually had a couple douchey therapists in the past but this was the nail in the coffin). I just do my best to keep myself as sane as possible without therapy at the moment since unfortunately I can't afford it anymore, and save money for it so I can at least avoid having to go through such a nightmare again in my life.

[@poetsfire1]

I usually just flip past sponsorship videos but that art investing deal is really interesting, thanks man

[@jacksimper5725]

If I remember correct the "New" Bedlam was designed by one of it`s inmates who was a master architect of his time. Bedlam is now part of the Imperial War Museum in the UK

[@MFLimited]

Why are we calling 685 years 800 years? Sure there was a building there in 1247, but as 42 says, it was a monastery, not any type of hospital. Some patients came in to be cared for in 1330 and it was officially opened as Bethlehem Royal Hospital in 1337. That building no longer exists, most of what you see now was built in the mid-1600s , About 320 years ago. Not an outstandingly old building for England. The history is cool enough without click bait

[@Saffron-sugar]

Yeah it’s a little weird