alienism

noun

Meaning

The study and treatment of mental disorders, specifically in a historical or legal context.

Examples

The nineteenth-century physician dedicated his career to alienism, focusing on the humane treatment of the institutionalized.
Legal experts often consulted practitioners of alienism to determine if a defendant was of sound mind during the commission of a crime.

Synonyms: psychiatry, mental health, psychopathology, mad-doctoring

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alienism

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈeɪliənɪzəm/

Definition

The study and treatment of mental disorders, specifically in a historical or legal context.

Examples

The nineteenth-century physician dedicated his career to alienism, focusing on the humane treatment of the institutionalized.
Legal experts often consulted practitioners of alienism to determine if a defendant was of sound mind during the commission of a crime.
While the term has largely fallen out of favor, the history of alienism provides critical insight into the evolution of psychiatric care.

Synonyms of alienism

Words with a similar meaning to alienism:

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