title: [The Portrait of Psychiatry in Novels - Proposal for a Semi-Standardised Compilation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Psychiatry is portrayed in many novels, yet a (semi-)standardised compilation of this topic is lacking. In this paper we propose such a system.
  
  
  METHODS
  With a system that combines quantitative and narrative/hermeneutic research methods, eight novels from four continents and a publication range of over 50 years were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two matrices allow an overview of the main topics of the novels, especially pertaining to psychiatry (e. g. misuse of power, monetary aspects of psychiatry, stigmatization, psychiatry as a "system", patient-therapist relationship, suicides, lobotomy and electroconvulsive therapy), as well as the novels' impact on the public and on the medical community. An unlimited number of novels can be added to these matrices with the long-term goal of constructing a growing database with novels dealing with psychiatry originating from different cultures and eras.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novels can be a mirror image of society, and the approach shown in this paper can be used to further insight in the fields of medical history, transcultural psychiatry, and stigma research.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II der Universität Ulm.
authors.forename: Moritz E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wigand
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II der Universität Ulm.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rüsch
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II der Universität Ulm.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011570:Psychiatry; D011639:Public Opinion; D011787:Quality of Health Care