Psychophobia

Psychophobia is a term meaning fear of the mind or rather fear of 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.

Social influences
Psychophobia is taught when parents tell their children to behave or else they'll end up in a mental hospital. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Web site references

 * Psychophobia in Art
 * Fight Psychophobia
 * Asylum Magazine