PubMed1976
The purpose of this survey was to know better the image of mental illness among the public. A 28 items questionnaire tried to summarize the main set-ideas usually held in this respect. It was submitted to a group of medical students. The answers obtained indicate quite clearly the force and continuity of some of these set-ideas: more complicated illness, often incurable, of which the number is constantly increasing; bad reputation of electrochocs. They also show an evolution of the state of minds concerning the differenciation of different types of illnesses, the alleged origins of mental illnesses and eventually the role and importance of psychotherapy in their treatment. Eventually a "free-opinions" section, underlined the common interest for the social condition of the mental patient, the responsibility of social factors in the genesis or the appearance of his troubles and above all for the "character" of psychiatrist. Conclusions drawn from this survey only have a relative value, but are encouraging enough to justify a larger and deeper one.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗