'Committed' takes place in 1954, when lobotomies were still legal, even considered "normalizing" a patient at the loss of their intelligence and personality. It wasn't until the 1970's that several states and provinces/territories in the United States and Canada outlawed lobotomies for being inhumane, unethical and immoral practices. In the current year of 2014, medication and counseling is most often used and is much more effective for the well-being of patients.
The plot of this episode shares some similarities with early life of Rosemary Kennedy, eldest daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy and President Kennedy's sister. She suffered seizures and mood swings, so her very rich father arranged for a lobotomy (in 1941 when she was 23). It was a failure and she lived to her mid-eighties severely disabled. Carmen, in this episode also has rich parents who arrange for a lobotomy in 1954 for her. Plot twists alter Carmen's path from Rosemary's.
Betty was considered "crazy" during the year her murder took place. It was explained to Detective Rush that she most likely had manic depressive disorder and was bipolar.
Bettie Petrowski was murdered on December 26, 1954.