The Frequency and Probability of Insanity

The extent of insanity is not generally appreciated. A statistical analysis of the relatively more complete data gathered in New York and in Massachusetts reveals the startling fact that the chance of a young person 15 years old being placed in a hospital for the insane during his lifetime is about 1 in 20, while the chance of developing an incapacitating mental disorder whether sent to a hospital for insanity or not is probably at least as high as 1 in 10. To the extent that insanity is traceable to mental maladjustments due to psychological experiences it would appear that modern civilization is a cause to a very large extent of serious psychological maladjustment on the part of mankind.