“After my daughter’s birth, I couldn’t take care of the house right any more. My husband told me a maid would be better than me, that I was crazy. He took me to the hospital for ‘observation.'” ~Carmen, quoted in Women and Madness by P. Chester, PhD.
“My husband told me to get shock therapy, that my multiple sclerosis symptoms were in my head. He [my husband] brought home a psychiatrist and they both threatened me. If I didn’t commit myself, they’d commit me, and that would be worse for me. So I went into the hospital.” ~Sophie, quoted in Women and Madness
“I refused to peel potatoes in the kitchen. So they threw me in solitary for a few days.” ~Susan, quoted in Women and Madness
My play “Escape from the Asylum” opens March 19 at 7 pm in Berkeley, CA! Visit centralworks.org