Psychophobia : un termine preciso per un antico pregiudizio

Through the examination of scientific literature and statistical data, this study not only focuses on mental illness, but also on the social discrimination and exclusion afflicting people who suffer from it. More specifically, the study focuses on the vocabulary used in the context of the specific stigma towards people suffering from mental disorder. Although there is a term that specifically defines this stigma, psychophobia, its use is well far from being consolidated: in both medical and social fields, the term is commonly included under the umbrella term abilism, or sweetened into sanism and mentalism. In accordance with the SapirWhorf hypothesis, the authors believe it is essential that the word psychophobia rises to the consciousness of the scientific and civil society, in order to undermine the very basis of stigma. [Publisher's text]