Lunatic asylum
Lunatic Asylum
Lunatic Asylum (pronunciation: loo-nuh-tik uh-sahy-luhm) is a term historically used to refer to a hospital specifically designed for the confinement and care of mentally ill patients. The term has largely fallen out of use due to its pejorative connotations and has been replaced by more respectful terms such as mental hospital or psychiatric hospital.
Etymology
The term "Lunatic Asylum" originates from the Latin words "luna" meaning moon and "aticus" meaning place, referring to the ancient belief that changes in the moon could cause temporary periods of insanity. "Asylum" is derived from the Greek word "Asylon" which means sanctuary or refuge.
History
The first recorded Lunatic Asylum in Europe was the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, colloquially known as "Bedlam", which began admitting the mentally ill in 1403. The establishment of Lunatic Asylums became more widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of a social movement to provide care for the mentally ill in a separate, specialized institution.
Related Terms
- Insanity: A legal term denoting that an individual is not responsible for their actions due to mental health problems.
- Madhouse: A colloquial term for a Lunatic Asylum, often used pejoratively.
- Psychiatry: The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
- Psychologist: A professional specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, emotional disturbance, and behavior problems.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lunatic asylum
- Wikipedia's article - Lunatic asylum
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