The historical perspectives of mental illness reflect the evolution of human understanding of psychological disorders, influenced by cultural, religious, and scientific developments. In ancient times, mental illness was largely interpreted through supernatural or spiritual lenses. Civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece often believed that abnormal behavior was caused by divine punishment, demonic possession, or displeasure of gods. Treatments in these societies included rituals, prayers, exorcisms, and other religious practices intended to appease spiritual forces or drive out evil spirits. In ancient Greece, thinkers like Hippocrates introduced a more naturalistic perspective, suggesting that mental illness resulted from imbalances in bodily humors such as blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. This approach marked the beginning of the biological understanding of mental disorders and emphasized lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors in maintaining mental health. During the medieval period, supernatural explanations remained dominant, particularly in Europe, where mental illness was often associated with witchcraft, sin, or possession by evil spirits. As a result, individuals exhibiting psychological disturbances were frequently subjected to harsh treatments, confinement, or exorcisms. However, Islamic scholars during the same period made notable contributions by emphasizing humane