British psychiatrist William Sargant’s notorious Ward 5A at London’s Royal Waterloo hospital was a place of unspeakable horrors, where patients were subjected to experimental treatments that left them with permanent memory loss and emotional trauma. In his first non-fiction book, “The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal,” author Jon Stock reveals the haunting first-hand accounts of Sargant’s victims, including actress Celia Imrie, who recounts her experience being drugged into a coma-like state and waking up with severe memory loss.
Sargant’s approach to treating mental illness was rooted in outdated and discredited theories that physical treatments could “reset” the brain. He believed that patients needed to be subjected to excessive doses of drugs and electricity to erase their symptoms, often resulting in long-term stupors. The Sleep Room was notorious for its use of insulin comas and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), with some patients dying from complications such as deep vein thrombosis or paralysis of the gut.
Sargant’s authoritarian regime and lack of medical ethics led to the deaths of at least five patients under his care. His treatment of women, in particular, was characterized by a patriarchal attitude, where female independence was seen as synonymous with madness. He would often use coercive methods, such as lobotomy or “truth drugs,” to break patients’ spirits.
While Sargant’s actions are deeply disturbing, they also highlight the complexities of treating severe mental illness. ECT, for example, can be a life-saving treatment for patients with catatonic depression. However, author Rachel Clarke notes that Stock’s portrayal of Sargant is overly simplistic and fails to nuance the issues surrounding patient consent and the need for humanity in psychiatry.
Despite the controversy surrounding Sargant’s methods, “The Sleep Room” serves as a crucial reminder of the dark history of psychiatric treatment and the importance of seeking evidence-based practices that prioritize patient well-being.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/30/the-sleep-room-by-jon-stock-a-very-british-medical-scandal-william-sargant-review-a-horrifying-study-of-medical-abuse