le funzioni della rappresentazione drammaturgica in psichiatria

Functions of Drama Representation in Psychiatry Theatre activities have historically played a significant role in psychiatry. How-ever, it is only during the 19th century that they acquire a certain relevance as treatment tool for “moral madness” and yet, with the development of mental hospitals and the organicistic view of mental disease, theatre also becomes functional to the control of sick people’s unwanted behaviors. We will have to wait until the second half of the 20th century and the explosion of socio-cultural winds of change before we can give theatre a pedagogical role of tool for freedom. It is starting from this last period that theatre becomes a real tool with which we can express emotions, dreams and visions and by means of which build communities struggling against social injustice with marginalized people’s direct support. And finally today, even though mental health theatre keeps the role of litmus paper of freedom and attention-seeking behavior typical of people in trouble, it is also recognized for its important artistic and cultural function and innovating ability.