7 Creepy Abandoned Asylums: Horrifying Peak into Madness

^{Photo by Hoshino Ai on Unsplash}

Are you thrilled to delve into one of the daunting mysteries of the past? Then read further to explore 7 creepy abandoned asylums.

When we compare the development of mental health institutions from then to now, we can closely examine the difference between what it was like in the past and what it has been like in the present, especially regarding the mental health treatments being employed by both parties. 

Concerning mental health institutions from the past, we can consider the fact that insane asylums were indeed notorious for their cruel practices and disturbing treatments. It’s a terrifying thought how such brutality, including restraints, isolation, electric shock treatments, forced drugging, hydrotherapy sprays, lobotomies, and other tortuous procedures, happened to many individuals who have mental illnesses.

The fact that they have already suffered enough with their disorders and are still tortured, especially in a place where they should be safe, is absurd.

Asylum Scandals by Patricia Lubeck is a story of abuse, torture, corruption, and murder. It delves into the madness of mental institutions from 1867 to 1915, particularly fixating on the history of Minnesota’s two oldest state hospitals. To discover more about secrets and the horrible things behind the insane asylums of history, we recommend reading the book Asylum Scandals. Click here to grab your own copy today.

That said, we shall now take a horrifying peak into madness by detouring through the list of creepy abandoned asylums. But first, we encourage you to grab onto something or have someone accompany you because this will be a horrifying expedition.

Forest Haven Asylum 

The first on the list is a hospital located in Florida, USA, known to many for its gruesome history. Royal Hope Hospital was a Spanish military hospital from 1784 to 1821 and was eventually demolished over time. Paranormal experts once claimed that the place is a real breeding ground for haunted souls and paranormal activity in Florida.

Pennhurst Insane Asylum

Pennhurst Insane Asylum was originally built to educate and care for the mentally disabled. However, in less than a decade, it became clear that they were not fulfilling this purpose. The court found that over 3,000 of the institution’s patients were not receiving adequate care, leading to the subsequent closure of the institution.

Athens Lunatic Asylum

In the 19th century, women who displayed sexual desire and strong emotions were pathologized and diagnosed with the medical condition “hysteria.” During the years 1868 to 1870, which marked the formative period of the Athens Lunatic Asylum, a total of 132 female patients were unjustly labeled as insane due to issues such as “menstrual derangements.” This historical practice reflects the deeply ingrained societal prejudices and misunderstandings surrounding women’s health and sexuality during that era. 

Bloomingdale Insane Asylum

Established in 1821, the hospital aimed to provide moral treatment for mentally ill patients. However, journalist Julius Chambers uncovered unethical practices in 1872.

Denbigh Insane Asylum

Hidden within the Welsh countryside lie the decaying ruins of Wales’ first asylum for the mentally ill. Built between 1844 and 1848, this historic hospital provided a sanctuary for Welsh-speaking mental patients. The patients themselves were responsible for many of the tasks around the hospital, contributing their labor to the functioning of the facility. Treatment at the asylum primarily involved sedation and therapeutic time spent in Turkish baths.

Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital

In this overcrowded asylum, 2,412 patients are crammed into a space intended for a maximum of 1,600. To compound the issue, Greystone has implemented controversial treatments, including regularly administering insulin shock therapy and electroconvulsive therapy to veterans suffering from PTSD.

Byberry Mental Hospital

In 1946, a series of thirty-six black-and-white photographs captured the squalid conditions within Byberry Mental Hospital, revealing a shocking reality. The facility was rife with filth, and it allowed hundreds of patients to wander its corridors in a state of undress. These haunting images, documented in Life magazine, served as a catalyst for sweeping reforms in mental health facilities across the nation.

The Bottom Line: The Fall of Insane Asylums

Now that we have gone through 7 creepy abandoned asylums, we can really feel the eeriness of every institution. The thought of the cruel past feels more real and, in that case, far more horrifying. 

However, the past has become a painful memory, and a new chapter appears before us. We can finally conclude that we’ve learned a lot from our past. Now, it is time to relish on the positive side that has ignited the mental hospitals of today. In the present, individuals are at last accessing the quality mental health care and treatment that they rightfully deserve.