title: Terms of madness: historical linguistics.
abstract: The etymological origins of commonly used descriptors of mental conditions are explored. In reviewing history for signs of mental disorders, we need to understand the terms used previously to indicate abnormalities. A wealth of terms is evident indicating that, contrary to the conclusions of some historians, mental illnesses have an extended and broad history.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Calgary General Hospital, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dalby
mesh_terms: D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history; D009626:Terminology as Topic