I remember stumbling across an old medical journal in my uncle's attic years ago. There it was – a grainy photo of a patient with ice-pick scars near their eyes. That was my first real encounter with lobotomy. It creeped me out, honestly. Made me wonder: are lobotomies still performed today? Like actually happening in hospitals?

When folks ask "are lobotomies still performed," they aren't just looking for a yes/no. They're digging into medical ethics, fearing outdated treatments, or worrying about loved ones. Maybe they watched that one episode of American Horror Story and panicked. Let's cut through the noise.

What Lobotomy Really Was

So what's this infamous procedure? Lobotomy meant scrambling neural pathways between brain regions. Surgeons would literally drill into the skull or jab instruments through eye sockets to sever connections. The inventor won a Nobel Prize in 1949 – wild, huh?

These methods sound medieval because they basically were. Patients got turned into zombies or became emotionally flat. Some couldn't control their bowels afterward. It's like swapping mental illness for a whole new nightmare.

Why Lobotomy Got Popular (And Why That's Terrifying)

In the 1930s-50s, psychiatry was desperate. Asylums overflowed with patients receiving shock treatments or straitjackets. Doctors saw lobotomy as "progress." One hospital bragged about discharging 25% of lobotomized patients. But discharged to where? Many ended homeless or died early.

Here's the kicker: many patients weren't mentally ill. I read about a housewife who got lobotomized for arguing with her husband. A kid who talked back to teachers. That chill down your spine? Yeah, me too.

So Are Lobotomies Still Performed in Modern Medicine?

Straight talk: the lobotomy you're imagining doesn't exist anymore. Freeman's ice-pick circus? Gone since the 1960s. But let's not dodge the real question people have: are lobotomies still performed in any form?

Technically, yes – but calling it "lobotomy" is like calling a Tesla a horse carriage. Modern psychosurgery is precise, rare, and ethical. We're talking about procedures like:

• Anterior Cingulotomy: Targets a tiny brain region with electrodes or gamma rays for OCD/depression.
• Capsulotomy: Similar approach, different spot.
• Limbic Leukotomy: Microsurgery on emotion-related pathways.

These aren't first-line treatments. More like last resorts after 10+ years of failed meds and therapy. Maybe 50-100 such surgeries happen globally per year. Compare that to the 40,000+ lobotomies done in the US alone during the peak years.

Why Did Lobotomy Disappear?

Three words: better options arrived. Thorazine hit the market in 1954 – suddenly, psychosis could be controlled with pills. Then came:

Also, people woke up to the horror stories. Rosemary Kennedy's botched lobotomy left her unable to walk or talk properly. Newspapers exposed asylum abuses. By 1977, even the US Congress banned funding for psychosurgery.

Where You Might Hear About Lobotomy Today

Honestly? Mostly in clickbait articles or horror movies. But medically:

• Russia & Some Developing Nations: Reports of outdated procedures persist. Hard to verify, but concerning.
• Unregulated "Clinics": In 2019, an illegal Mexican clinic offered "lobotomies" for addiction. Patients paid $5k to end up brain-damaged.

This is why asking "are lobotomies still performed" matters. While Western medicine moved on, vulnerable people still get exploited.

Modern Alternatives That Actually Work

If you're researching this for a loved one, breathe easy. Today's options are light-years better:

• Medication: SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers tailored to specific conditions
• Therapy: CBT, DBT, EMDR – proven without scalpels
• Neuromodulation: TMS (magnetic pulses) or ECT (electroconvulsive therapy under anesthesia)
• Lifestyle Interventions: Exercise regimes, dietary changes, sleep hygiene programs

One clinic I visited in Boston uses VR exposure therapy for PTSD veterans. They walk through virtual war zones safely. Zero brain tissue removed.

Red Flags: When Someone Might Suggest Something Sketchy

Modern psychosurgery exists but has safeguards. Worry if a "doctor":

• Recommends brain surgery as a first option
• Can't show success rate data
• Operates outside a major hospital
• Asks for cash payments upfront

A neurologist friend told me about a patient whose family sought a "quick fix" surgeon abroad. They luckily backed out after checking credentials. Always verify!

How to Find Legitimate Mental Health Help

Skip Dr. Google. Try:

Tell them exactly what's happening. "My brother has OCD that meds don't touch" gets better help than "He's acting weird."

Final Thoughts: Why This History Still Matters

When we ask "are lobotomies still performed," it's not just medical curiosity. It's distrust in a system that once harmed the vulnerable. And that distrust? Valid.

Modern psychiatry isn't perfect. I've seen misdiagnoses and overmedication. But contrast that with lobotomy days – no informed consent, no oversight. Progress happened because patients demanded better.

So no, Freeman-style lobotomies aren't performed. What lingers is the fear they represent. And that fear keeps us questioning, which ironically makes medicine safer.

You might wonder if I'm being too harsh on those old doctors. Maybe. But when I see photos of lobotomy survivors staring blankly... Sorry, no sympathy for the surgeons.