---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This extreme treatment was among the…"
description: "\"“This extreme treatment was among the proliferating regimens developed in response to the stunning increase in nervous disorders diagnosed around the t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_city-life_this-extreme-treatment-was-among-the-pro_49659.png"
---

#  This extreme treatment was among the proliferating…

![“This extreme treatment was among the proliferating regimens developed in response to the stunning increase in nervous disorders diagnosed around the turn of the century. Commentators and clinicians cited a number of factors related to the stresses of modern civilization: the increased speed of…” quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_city-life_this-extreme-treatment-was-among-the-pro_49659.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_city-life_this-extreme-treatment-was-among-the-pro_49659.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_city-life_this-extreme-treatment-was-among-the-pro_49659.png)

> ““This extreme treatment was among the proliferating regimens developed in response to the stunning increase in nervous disorders diagnosed around the turn of the century. Commentators and clinicians cited a number of factors related to the stresses of modern civilization: the increased speed of communication facilitated by the telegraph and railroad; the “unmelodious” clamor of city life replacing the “rhythmical” sounds of nature; and the rise of the tabloid press that exploded “local horrors” into national news. These nervous diseases became an epidemic among “the ultracompetitive businessman and the socially active woman.””

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Early 20th‑century medical discourse linked rising nervous disorders to rapid industrialization, urban noise, and media sensationalism, framing them as a societal epidemic among high‑pressure professionals and socially active women.

**In simple terms:** Industrialization and media amplified anxiety, creating a health crisis.

Key Takeaway

Modern stressors can manifest as widespread nervous illness.

Themes

industrialization urbanization media influence gender roles mental health social pressure

Mood

analytical historical critical

Type

historical observation medical commentary sociocultural critique

When to use this quote

- busy executives facing burnout
- women navigating new public roles
- city dwellers coping with noise
- journalists covering sensational stories

Key Concepts

nervous disorders technological acceleration cultural change epidemic framing

Practical Applications

- public health policy addressing workplace stress
- historical analysis of gendered medical narratives

Questions to Reflect On

- How did early media shape perceptions of mental illness?
- What parallels exist between past and present stressors?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[City life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city-life/) [Extreme Treatment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extreme-treatment-711532/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nervous Diseases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous-diseases-711535/) [Nervous Disorders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous-disorders-711534/) [Regimens Developed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regimens-developed-711531/) [Treatment Proliferating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treatment-proliferating-711533/)

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