Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 http://www.cchr.org/doctors/eng/page19.htm " Heart of Life " The Dr. Giorgio Antonucci Story Dr. Giorgio Antonucci used communication, physical exams and standard medical treatment to help schizophrenic and " incurable " patients who had been cruelly restrained for decades at Imola psychiatric asylum in Italy. He taught his patients living skills and organized concerts and trips to Rome as part of their therapy. Subsequently, many were discharged from Imola to lead successful lives. Courage could be described as persistence to overcome all obstacles and communication as the heart of life. These two qualities were displayed in abundance by a remarkable physician, Dr. Giorgio Antonnuci, who literally helped to return life to hundreds of patients lost in the squalor and degradation of Italian psychiatric hospitals. Dr. Antonucci firmly believed in the value of human life and that communication, not enforced incarceration and inhumane physical treatments, could heal even the most seriously disturbed mind. In the Institute of Osservanza (Observance), in Imola, Italy, Dr. Antonucci volunteered to run the most dangerous ward, Unit 14, where 44 schizophrenic women, most of whom had been incarcerated for many years, were so seriously disturbed, they had been continuously strapped to their beds (some up to 20 years). The hospital was noted for its intimidating high walls, barred windows, iron doors, and beds that were bolted to the floor. Straightjackets were used, as well as plastic masks to keep patients from biting. There were three " choices " of treatment: electroshock, insulin shock or neuroleptics. Giorgio AntonucciWorking sometimes 24 hours a day, and ignoring the protests of nurses, Dr. Antonucci began to release the women from their confinement. He recalls: " I found myself in the situation of having to confront them personally. " And confront them he did, spending many, many hours each day talking with them and " penetrating their deliriums and anguish. " In every case, Dr. Antonucci listened to stories of years of desperation and institutional suffering. His " treatment " was a quiet and calming influence for the patient. In fact, under his guidance, Unit 14 transformed itself from the most violent ward in the facility to its calmest. Under Dr. Antonucci's leadership, all psychiatric " treatments " were abandoned, replaced by open communication. After a few months, his " dangerous " patients were all free, walking quietly in the asylum garden (except a few whose legs were wasted from being tied down for too many years, but who were later also rehabilitated and able to walk). As for the hospital, Dr. Antonucci transformed it into a residence—each patient had the key to her room. In the end, it was not possible to distinguish a former patient from a nurse. Between 1973 and 1996, Dr. Antonucci repeatedly dismantled some of the most oppressive, concentration camp-like psychiatric wards, by ensuring that patients were treated compassionately, with respect, and without the use of drugs. Today, thanks to Dr. Antonucci, hundreds of abused and neglected people in Italian asylums have had their dignity and their lives restored. Relocated to more humane environments, many have been taught how to read and write, and even how to work and care for themselves for the first time in their lives. Teresa was testament to Dr. Antonucci's success. Institutionalized for years, tied to a bed in her small room and imprisoned in her tortured mind, she lived her remaining years free of all coercive psychiatric restraint. And she knew, with absolute certainty, that Dr. Antonucci was the " heart of life. " " Against tremendous opposition from his peers, and without the use of drugs or coercion, Dr. Antonucci salvaged the lives of hundreds of patients deemed incurable and institutional cases. Today, many of his patients continue to live and work in the community. He is an inspiration to medicine. " — Roberto Cestari, M.D., Italy, 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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