Maria I of Portugal: Another royal psychiatric patient of Francis Willis

Abstract

12 Galovski T, Lyons JA. Psychological sequelae of combat violence: a review of the impact of PTSD on the veteran's family and possible interventions. Aggress Violent Behav 2004; 9: 477-501. 13 Karki R, Kohrt BA, Jordans MJD. Child led indicators: pilot testing a child participation tool for psychosocial support programmes for former child soldiers in Nepal. Intervention (Amstelveen) 2009; 7: 92-109.

King George III of England and Queen Maria I of Portugal: bipolar disorder and prince regents as common features of their reigns

“…However, unlike his treatment of George III, Willis’ role in Maria’s case was merely advisory, and the queen’s prognosis may have been worse than that of George III. 11 …”

What would be the psychiatric diagnosis of D. Maria I, the “mad queen”?

“…While some authors 3 believe that the physician has repeated with the queen of Portugal the model of directive psychotherapy applied in George III, including the removal of stress situations, Jenifer Roberts 1 , biographer of D. Maria I, refers to the use of straitjackets, cold water baths, ointments, and enemas, besides vomit induction. Anyway, she did not improve and Willis considered her incurable 4 .…”

“…In the family of Maria I, in which many inbred marriages took place 4 , there were quite numerous cases of mental disorder 3 . Her grandfather Filipe V of Spain believed that the fire consumed him from within and that this was a punishment for his sins.…”

“…Two of Maria I's three sisters, Mariana and Dorothea, also suffered from a mental disorder, probably depression. Finally, D. João, son of the Portuguese Queen and her successor on the throne, used to present episodes of "melancholy" 4 .…”

“…And what would be her diagnosis? The scientific literature on her clinical case is very restricted 4 . There are no medical records regarding the illness of the Portuguese queen 3 .…”