The oppression of women is evident throughout all of the 19th century. From household duties to health issues, women received unfair treatment. Women were seen as inferior and treacherous and therefore, were not trusted to make decisions for themselves. This resulted in women being placed in mental institutions when they did not behave in ways that the male society agreed with. After being placed in the hospitals, the unfair treatment continued to affect the women.

In the article, “Women as Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Patients” by Phyllis Chesler, he discusses the large outnumbering of women in mental hospitals compared to men. The statistics are viewed as effects of sex-role stereotyping and the oppression of women throughout the 19th century. When expressing unhappiness, females were seen to have some sort of illness. No matter how many women had the same claims of sadness, it was simply viewed as their inability to adjust to their feminine role. Women were labeled “mentally ill” far more often than men. This was because men saw their behavior as self-destructive when not performing in a way that was the “norm” in this time period. They were punished for this behavior with the terrible conditions provided in asylums with constant enforcements to blame themselves. Taking full responsibility for their unhappiness was the only way to be “cured.” Women were supposed to approach therapy in the same way they did marriage, with desperation and reliance on authority figures. In this female culture, to be unmarried or unhappily married was a serious illness. If women exhibit behavior that is similar to males, like being aggressive or promiscuous, the common solution was to classify them with a mental disability. Men saw being committed to an institution as another opportunity to be rewarded for expressing their distress. It was believed that women were worthless and needed to be helped and dominated. Once committed in a mental hospital, women were isolated, not given basic necessities, and not properly treated or diagnosed.  

Ten Days in a Mad House by Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist, follows her days in an asylum in which she purposely commits herself. She goes to expose the corruption and abuse that occurs inside. The article shows that the oppression she experiences did actually happen in those times and was not uncommon in the 19th century. The patients did not get the opportunities to prove their sanity and did not experience any forms of kindness. Physical abuse was often the workers’ form of discipline. In the story, a patient was slapped and even chocked. Misdiagnosis occurred often inside the hospitals. A committed patient looses all forms of freedom. Doctors had the ability to examine a person and deem them “insane” very easily. They could keep someone for as long as they like and continue the abuse. They then had the opportunity to do as they pleased and provide horrible conditions. Eventually, some patients would actually go mad or start to believe that they were. Food conditions were considered horrible and the buildings themselves were often very dirty. Nellie continuously struggled to eat the disgusting food that she was given and got her clothes taken. It was common for punishments to involve isolation. A patient could be thrown in a dark room alone to “learn a lesson.” The article shows that the women were mainly targeted when being placed in the hospitals and ultimately suffered greatly.

In the article “The Memsahib’s Madness: The European Woman’s Mental Health in Late Nineteenth Century India” by Indrani Sen, she discusses how madness was seen as a female disease. Doctors believed women were prone to illness because of their reproductive systems. Due to female heredity, illness could be carried in the woman’s’ bodies. Outbursts of anger or any protest of disadvantages in their lives could be viewed as hysteria. This behavior became known as “the daughter’s disease.” Spinsters were prone to this hysteria and marriage was seen as the main cure. The article talks of a certain woman who was once caring and hard working and eventually, became lazy and self-centered. This change in attitude was seen as serious illness that required therapy in the 19th century. Any abnormalities in a women’s behavior, including illegitimate pregnancy, homosexuality, frigidness, and promiscuity were considered disorders.

In Ten Days In A Mad House, a reader can see how the use of improper treatments and methods were likely used throughout the 1800’s in women’s mental hospitals. She describes the doctors as oblivious and shares the mental and physical abuse the women suffered from. Females were suppressed and not given much of a say in their treatment. In most circumstances, they did not commit themselves and had no option of leaving. They were seen as untrustworthy and had constant reminders of their inferiority. A common tactic for workers was harsh words and inducing fear. In the story, a nurse would tell Nellie to shut up or it will get worse. This way a patient stays in line and follows orders, making it easy to control them. The article shows how easy it was to be committed for things that are common today. Any differences in the women were cause to be hospitalized and further injustices to begin, such as constantly being put down.

Through the articles and Bly’s account of her ten days in a mental institution, a reader will notice the outrageous discrimination women faced in the 19th century. The treatment Bly received and the overall prejudice females faced in being considered mentally ill was prominent for years. The many false diagnoses and the poor conditions faced in the hospitals all lead a reader to see the major issues of women’s rights, especially in regards to their health care.
