The essay focuses on the mental health care in the early 20th century. The purpose of thestudy is to account for similarities and differences between female and male patients, througha comparative gender study of patients from Lillhagen Hospital in Gothenburg. This is doneby analyzing patient records from Lillhagen's hospital. The period treated is 1932-1949 andthe records are preserved at the regional archives in Gothenburg. The source material consistsof a total of 36 journals, 18 female and 18 male journals. The starting point for the study is thetheory of social categorization. This means that the insane women and men are considered acategory, insane. The survey consists of both a qualitative and quantitative method. Theresults showed that the biggest similarities were the patients' family situation. The length ofstay and reasons for discharge also looked relatively similar for both the female and malepatients. The main differences that were shown were the patients' heredity, work, reasons foradmission, diagnoses and treatments. Further differences were the doctors 'and the relatives'descriptions of the female and male patients.