Abuse of the Mentally Ill

One underlying theme that appears throughout "What She Left Behind" is the notion that the history of mental illness in terms of patient care is littered with inhumane failures, at least in the past. The treatments that the various patients receive at the hands of the cruel Dr. Roach and staff at Willard are actually disguised forms of torture in all practicality. So while the doctors at Willard profess their devotion to making the patients well, in actuality, they are mostly dedicated to keeping their jobs, whatever the cost to the patients.

No attempt is ever made to actually rehabilitate the ill, rather they are subjected to unending forms of sadism with such "techniques" as insulin shock therapy, freezing cold water baths, and electroshock to their brains. Because of the manner in which they're treated, it's tempting to call the patients "inmates...