lobotomies
Frontal lobe severances
Lobotomies is the plural of lobotomy, a surgical procedure that severs connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe.
Once used to treat mental illness, lobotomies fell out of favor as their devastating side effects became clear—patients often emerged docile but with permanently impaired personality and cognition.
Figuratively, something that dulls thinking or removes critical judgment: Social media is giving us all lobotomies.
Before the frontal lobe
- transorbitalThrough the eye socket
- icepickPointed tool for chipping frozen water
- scalpelPrecise surgical knife
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
severing · surgical · psychosurgery · neurosurgery · frontal lobes · white matter · nerve fibers · operating
Callously causing suffering
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
human rights · exploitation · abuse · involuntary · experimental · vulnerable · institutionalized · controversial
Characteristic mental patterns
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- apathyAbsence of feeling
- bluntedMade less sharp
- complianceAdhering to requirements
sedation · cognitive · impairment · memory · emotion · flat affect · childlike · dependency
Psychotic disorder with delusions
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- depressionProlonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
violent · unmanageable · mental illness · patients · treatment · therapy · symptoms · behavior
Name denoting unfettered status
- Nobel PrizeHighest academic honor
- 1940sFourth decade, twentieth century
- 1950sDecade after WWII
- asylumsProtected shelters from danger
institutionalization · deinstitutionalization · overcrowded · warehousing · obsolete · discredited · banned · discontinued
prefrontal
Before the frontal lobe
- transorbitalThrough the eye socket
- icepickPointed tool for chipping frozen water
- scalpelPrecise surgical knife
incision · severing · surgical · psychosurgery · neurosurgery · frontal lobes · white matter · nerve fibers · operating · anesthesia
inhumane
Callously causing suffering
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
malpractice · human rights · exploitation · abuse · involuntary · experimental · vulnerable · institutionalized · controversial · condemned
personality
Characteristic mental patterns
compliance · sedation · cognitive · impairment · memory · emotion · flat affect · childlike · dependency · incontinence
schizophrenia
Psychotic disorder with delusions
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- depressionProlonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
agitation · violent · unmanageable · mental illness · patients · treatment · therapy · symptoms · behavior · institutionalized
Freeman
Name denoting unfettered status
- Nobel PrizeHighest academic honor
- 1940sFourth decade, twentieth century
- 1950sDecade after WWII
asylums · institutionalization · deinstitutionalization · overcrowded · warehousing · obsolete · discredited · banned · discontinued
lobotomiestalk therapy
Psychological treatment via conversation
psychotherapy · cognitive behavioral therapy · counseling · non-invasive treatment · medication
lobotomiescognitive enhancement
Improving mental function artificially
mind expansion · neuroprotection · brain health · healing · rehabilitation
lobotomieshumane treatment
Kind consideration for welfare
patient-centered care · evidence-based medicine · compassionate care · holistic care