TITLE:
Mental Disorders and Dehumanization: A Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Dimitra Lekka, Anna Madoglou, Vasia I. Karamanoli, Vasiliki Yotsidi, George Alexias, Eirini Karakasidou, Konstantina Prassa, Aikaterini Avgoustaki, Maria Christopoulou, Christos Pezirkianidis, Konstantina Orlandou, Vasileia Arachoviti, Anastassios Stalikas
KEYWORDS:
Mental Disorders, Hospital Settings, Dehumanization, Stigma, Labels
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
1,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: The concept of dehumanization keeps pace with human history and means the denial of humanness to another human being. Purpose: The aim of this review is to study the literature in the field of mental health to investigate the existence of dehumanization. Method: A literature review was conducted from 2002 to 2022 using keywords in Google scholar, Pubmed, PsycInfo and Scopus Databases. Results: It seems that there are some mental disorders that have dehumanizing characteristics. Also the way the diagnostic manuals of mental disorders are used (DSM-5), the communication between specialist-patient, the labels and the stigma of the mental illness, the biogenetic explanations of the mental disorders and the characteristics of the psychiatric clinics. Conclusion: The literature review shows that patients with mental disorders experience dehumanization and therefore measures should be taken to prevent and limit the phenomenon.