Psychophobia: un termine preciso per un antico pregiudizio

Journal title SALUTE E SOCIETÀ
Author/s Marco Bottazzoli, Albertina Pretto, Macarena Galvan
Publishing Year 2025 Issue 2025/3
Language Italian Pages 14 P. 103-116 File size 289 KB
DOI 10.3280/SES2025-003007
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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 Sapir-Whorf 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.

Keywords: mental illness; disability; stigma; discrimination; labelling; psychophobia.

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Marco Bottazzoli, Albertina Pretto, Macarena Galvan, Psychophobia: un termine preciso per un antico pregiudizio in "SALUTE E SOCIETÀ" 3/2025, pp 103-116, DOI: 10.3280/SES2025-003007