Final answer:
Abnormality, once steeped in supernatural or moralistic views, shifted towards an understanding of mental illness as an organic affliction with observable symptoms, as reflected in the work of Enlightenment figures like Georget. This perspective focuses on the physiological and sensory experiences associated with mental disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The perspectives on abnormality have evolved significantly over time. The fragments provided suggest a transition from viewing mental illness through a supernatural or moral lens to understanding it as an organic, physical affliction. These changes in perspective can be traced back to Enlightenment thinkers like Georget, who built on the work of Esquirol, rejecting moral or theological explanations for insanity. Instead, they approached mental disorders as an organic condition with observable physical symptoms. The detailed descriptions of an individual's experiences, as provided in the excerpts, highlight the intense sensory disturbances and profound mental distress associated with abnormality, depicting it as a deeply personal and physiological matter.
Furthermore, the narrative touches on the controversial aspect of early psychiatry, which, as Boime criticizes, may have silenced and rendered patients invisible, subjecting them to potential abuse. The various accounts also delve into the sensory acuteness and emotional turmoil of mental illness, illustrating the profound impact it has on one's quality of life and perception of reality.