Adolf Hitler: the effects of pharmacology and psychosis on World War II

Abstract

Hitler was a man given to poor health and hypochondria simultaneously. His health was deteriorate over his years as his medical problems, combined with a long-standing abusive relationship with drugs, conspired to bring him to the brink of death in 1945. Fate, depression, and one final act consisting of b0th cowardice and self-serving pride, circumvented this final outcome though result was the same -- he died. Key to understanding Hitler is to realize that by the time his suicide, Hitler was both more and less ''himself'' than any but a very sad few have ever been. That is to say that there was no dramatic "change", as some have argued. Madness and human nature ''expressed to extremes'' did ''change'' Hitler they increased him. As the years went by, Hitler simply threw off the trappings of civilization and his desires were given more and more free rein. Hitler, a psychotic-sleeper, became more true to his nature as time passed. Conversely, drugs and his medical deterioration did not ''change'' Hitler -- they lessened him. His abilities to motivate and his phenomenal opportunistic abilities suffered by his weakening health and incredible intake of pharmaceuticals. He became less and less able to bring his talents to bear upon the world as the conflict continued. Hitler is an example of what can occur when civilizing societal influences are removed from the human psyche and self-absorption becomes the rule rather than the exception. His madness might appear alien, but it is all too human. It is what Man can be, and that is why we fear his madness while remaining fascinated by it.