Psychophobia

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Psychophobia is fear of, prejudice or discrimination against the mentally ill. Over history the mentally ill were accused of being possessed by demons or the devil or of being witches or warlocks or devil worshipers. In modern times when psychology was developed it was found that such people had a mental illness and no demons or any other explanations mentioned above, yet the fear of the mentally ill has continued.[1][2][3]

Contents

[edit] Social influences

Psychophobia is taught when parents tell their children to behave or else they'll end up in a mental hospital,[4] and call some `general hurtful names' such as `mental' and `fruitcake'. Some families consider the mentally ill person's condition to be a character flaw, and that the sufferer is personally responsible for their condition. [5]. The children learn to fear the mentally ill, lest they become one of them. Hollywood, TV shows, the media, and news programs all have negative stereotypes of the mentally ill which may contribute to psychophobia.(i.g. Kayes Hossain in Loudoun County Hospital)

[edit] The Law

In the USA the Americans with Disabilities Act protects the mentally ill because they have a mental disability, yet due to psychophobia many mentally ill people are still discriminated against. Other nations also have laws for protection, yet still have instances of discrimination.

[edit] Homeless and employment problems

Homeless people have often been found to be suffering from some form of mental illness. It has often caused them to lose or obtain jobs. Employers have been accused of making false complaints against mentally ill workers, to make an excuse to fire them other than their mental illness to avoid lawsuits[6][7][8].

[edit] Health care against the mentally ill

Asylum Online talks about Psychologists and the health care industry having a fear of the mentally ill and discriminating against them.

[edit] References

  1. ^ How we treat the mentally ill in our fearful province is just maddening
  2. ^ The community's response to mentally ill people
  3. ^ Mentally Ill more likely to become victims
  4. ^ Mental illness...Lets help put a stop to the Stigma
  5. ^ Prejudice and discrimination suffered by mentally ill people
  6. ^ The Mentally Ill Deserve Job Protection
  7. ^ Bipolar Disorder Takes Heavy Toll on Workplace
  8. ^ Keep it to yourself

[edit] See also

[edit] Web site references