Self-Induced Water Intoxication in a Psychiatric Asylum

A Case Study of Diagnostic Categorization and Regulation

Bibliographic Data

ID2152604
AuthorsAshley A Berard (0000-0002-1451-6660, University of Victoria), André Smith, Seantel Anaï, Seantel Anaïs (Carleton University)
Year2012
Volume33
Issue4
Pages324-338
Publication date2012-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639625.2011.584052
OpenAlexW2048074522
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited30

In this article, we examine the regulation of psychiatric patients becoming intoxicated from drinking excessive amounts of liquids at a large psychiatric asylum in Canada. We analyze how medical staff created a formalized diagnostic category and a specialized ward for its treatment. We consider the institutional context in which "water intoxication" was developed as a diagnostic category and we examine the impact of this diagnosis on the regulation of asylum patients. Finally, we discuss the patients' opposition to treatment as well as the impact of "water intoxication" on their self-identity and institutional status. View correction statement:Corrigendum Acknowledgments This article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Nancy Waxler-Morrison, Associate Professor, Emerita, in the School of Social Work and the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of British Columbia. She was an extraordinarily generous mentor and an inspiration for this project. Seantel Anaïs acknowledges ongoing support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Many thanks to Kevin Walby, Sean Hier, and Mary Elizabeth Leighton for their generous comments on earlier versions of this article. Additional informationNotes on contributorsAndré Smith ANDRÉ SMITH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria. Dr. Smith has researched in the areas of aging, mental health, and qualitative methods. Seantel Anaïs SEANTEL ANAÏS is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University. Her areas of research include sociology of science and technology, sociology of violence, and legal governance

Categorization · Context (archaeology · Criminology · Epistemology · Identity (music · Mental health · Psychiatry · Sociology · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · History · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub