This paper presents a historical overview of psychiatric/mental health care in the United States from 1756, when the Pennsylvania hospital in Philadelphia, PA was opened to provide treatment rather than only confinement of the mentally ill, to the present day use of psychoactive medications and out-patient mental health couseling as the treatment of choice for those experiencing mental health issues. The various types of mental health providers that are delivering mental health services are reviewed. The emphasis on brain chemistry and genetics, in regards to mental health difficulties and treatment is presented. In addition, the effect that insurance companies and health maintenance organizations have had on mental health care delivery in America is discussed.
本文データは山口大学医学会の許諾に基づきCiNiiから複製したものである