The History of Lobotomies in America – And Why They Were So Popular

Have you ever heard about lobotomies in America? It might sound like something from a scary movie, but it was real! Back in the 1930s to 1950s, doctors used lobotomies—a type of brain surgery—to treat mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia. At the time, thousands of Americans got this procedure, and it was seen as a big deal in medicine. But why was it so popular, and what happened to make it stop? Let’s dive into this wild part of history that happened right here in the USA, as of July 20, 2025!

What Is a Lobotomy?

A lobotomy is a surgery where doctors cut or damage parts of the brain, especially the frontal lobes, which control emotions and thinking. The idea was to calm people with mental health problems by changing how their brains worked. In the early days, it was done with a tool called a leucotome or even an ice pick-like tool pushed through the eye socket! This might sound crazy today, but back then, it was seen as a new way to help people who were suffering. The first lobotomy in America happened in 1936, and it changed medicine forever.

How Lobotomies Started in America

The story begins with a Portuguese doctor named António Egas Moniz, who did the first lobotomy in 1935. He won a Nobel Prize for it, which made other doctors excited to try it. In America, a neurologist named Walter Freeman and a surgeon named James Watts brought the idea to life. They started doing lobotomies in 1936 at George Washington University. Freeman later made it faster and cheaper with a method called the transorbital lobotomy, using an ice pick through the eye. This made it easy to do in offices or even hospitals, and soon it spread across the country.

Why Were Lobotomies So Popular?

Lobotomies became super popular in America for a few reasons. First, mental health care was limited back then. In the 1940s, there were over 400,000 people in mental hospitals, and doctors didn’t have good treatments. Medicines like today’s antidepressants didn’t exist yet. Lobotomies were seen as a quick fix to calm patients who were violent or deeply sad. Second, Walter Freeman was a big promoter. He traveled the USA, doing live demonstrations and convincing doctors and families that it worked. By 1951, over 20,000 lobotomies had been done! Families hoped it would bring their loved ones back to normal, even though the results were often unpredictable.

Fun Facts About Lobotomies in America

• Fast Procedure: A transorbital lobotomy took just 10 minutes!
• Celebrity Case: Rosemary Kennedy, sister of President John F. Kennedy, had a lobotomy in 1941 that left her disabled.
• Record Holder: Walter Freeman performed over 3,400 lobotomies in his career.
• Van Sells: One hospital did 1,000 lobotomies in two years during the 1950s peak.
• Movie Inspiration: The film *One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest* shows a lobotomy scene based on real events.

What Were the Results Like?

The results of lobotomies were a mixed bag. Some patients did calm down and seemed better at first, which made doctors and families happy. But many ended up with big problems. They could lose their personality, become emotionless, or struggle to think clearly. Stories tell of patients who stared blankly or acted like children after surgery. Over time, people started to see that the risks—like death, seizures, or permanent damage—were too high. By the 1950s, about 40% of patients had serious side effects, which raised big concerns.

Why Did Lobotomies Fade Away?

Lobotomies started to lose popularity in the late 1950s because better treatments came along. In 1954, a drug called chlorpromazine (Thorazine) was introduced, which helped control mental illness without surgery. This antipsychotic medicine was safer and more effective, so doctors turned to it instead. Also, public opinion changed as people learned about the bad outcomes. Books, movies, and news stories showed the dark side of lobotomies, like the case of Rosemary Kennedy. By the 1960s, the procedure was mostly stopped in America, though a few rare cases happened later. Today, it’s seen as a dark chapter in medical history.

The Legacy of Lobotomies in America

The history of lobotomies left a big mark on America. It showed how desperate doctors and families were to help people with mental illness when options were few. It also led to better rules for medical experiments and patient rights. Today, we use therapy and medicines instead, and mental health care has improved a lot. But the story of lobotomies reminds us to be careful with new treatments. In July 2025, it’s still a topic that fascinates Americans, with documentaries and books keeping the conversation alive.

Why Americans Are Still Interested

People in the USA love this story because it’s shocking and full of lessons. It’s been in TV shows like *American Horror Story* and books like *My Lobotomy* by Howard Dully. Historians and doctors study it to understand old medical practices and improve today’s care. It makes us think about how far we’ve come and how we treat mental health now. If you find this wild, share it with your friends or leave a comment below. What do you think about this part of history? I’d love to hear!

Learn More About This Dark Past

Want to dive deeper? Check out books like *The Lobotomist* by Jack El-Hai or watch documentaries on PBS about Walter Freeman. Search “lobotomy history America” online for more stories. Tell me your thoughts in the comments or share this with your family and friends. The more we talk about it, the more people will learn about this crazy time in American medicine!

Conclusion: A Lesson from the Past

The history of lobotomies in America is a wild and sad story. From 1936 to the 1950s, it was a popular way to treat mental illness, thanks to doctors like Walter Freeman. But the risks and bad results led to its end when better medicines came along. It teaches us to be smart about medical choices and care for people’s minds with kindness. In July 2025, this tale still grabs attention as a reminder of how medicine has grown. Share your thoughts below!