Continuing my tweet series for #Castlereagh200, today's question: How does mental health factor into the different hypotheses that have been put forward to explain Castlereagh's suicide? 1/
#ViscountCastlereagh #twitterstorians #HistParl
(Img: BM)
Psychiatric analysis has concluded that Castlereagh likely suffered from recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. However there have also been other hypotheses, most notably neurosyphilis. 2/
The reality is that any specific diagnosis will remain uncertain given the inherent gaps in the historical record. But the lack of a specific diagnosis shouldn't hinder a broader discussion of Castlereagh’s mental health that could prove more generalisable. 3/
Poor mental health can affect individuals with no underlying medical conditions, exacerbate existing mental or physical illnesses, or increase vulnerability to new or recurrent episodes of illness. 4/
Whether Castlereagh was suffering from mental illness or the psychological symptoms of a physical illness, his mental health would have been a key factor in his personal resilience. 5/5
@threadreaderapp unroll
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.