In Mary Ellen Mark’s series Ward 81, presents many different interpretations like how individuals that look normal but can be insane, or what these people in the ward do to pass the time and also what possibly could be making them lose their sanity. In the photo where the ladies in the bathroom shower, my interpretation it looks like they are trying to replicate what it’s like to be at the beach or pool so they are wearing what kind a looks like clothes that people would wear to a water park also the one lady is wearing out Life vest even though she can’t drown in the shower but yet she still wears it. And two of the photos shows the shop equipment and back then they believe that stock therapy could make a person seen again but over time it has done the opposite and even made the person worse. Thinking about the shock therapy and imagine putting myself in that situation would only drive me insane getting shocked repeatedly because I’m not normal can only drive me farther away from my humanity.
Mary Ellen Mark’s images are haunting, I agree. I believe ECT is stilled used but only under anesthesia and after other treatments fail to work effectively.