lunatic asylum
Historic psychiatric institution
A lunatic asylum was an institution for housing and treating people deemed mentally ill.
The term dates from an era when insanity was attributed to lunar influence—hence lunatic.
Now obsolete and offensive, replaced by psychiatric hospital or mental health facility.
The old term survives in gothic fiction and historical contexts: The crumbling lunatic asylum stood empty on the hill.
State of wild disorder
- madhouseChaotic, disordered place
- VictorianOf a prim era
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- alienistArchaic term for psychiatrist
phrenology · trephination · hydrotherapy · lobotomy · restraint · shackling · poorhouse · workhouse
Dangerously unstable person
- madwomanMentally unbalanced woman
- insaneSeverely mentally disturbed
- derangedMentally disturbed, irrational
- dementedSeverely mentally disturbed
crazy · shame · prejudice · discrimination · labeling · ostracism · marginalization · taboo
Curative mental treatment
- psychiatryMental health medicine
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
- electroshockElectrical brain stimulation therapy
- insulin shockSevere low blood sugar
hydrotherapy · occupational therapy · psychotherapy · sedation · tranquilizer · rehabilitation · recovery · counseling
Voluntary withdrawal from society
- isolationComplete separation from others
- restraintControl over impulses
- straitjacketGarment restricting arm movement
- padded cellFoam-lined isolation chamber
locked ward · segregation · incarceration · detention · commitment · involuntary · escape · release
Disorder affecting cognition or mood
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- melancholiaProfound, enduring sorrow
dementia · hysteria · epilepsy · delusion · hallucination · paranoia · nervous breakdown · insanity
Protected person; division
- cellBasic unit of life
- dormitoryStudent living building
- groundsBasis for justification
- superintendentChief administrative official
attendant · keeper · inmate · patient · admission · discharge · commitment papers · visiting hours
bedlam
State of wild disorder
- madhouseChaotic, disordered place
- VictorianOf a prim era
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
alienist · phrenology · trephination · hydrotherapy · lobotomy · restraint · shackling · poorhouse · workhouse · snake pit
madman
Dangerously unstable person
- madwomanMentally unbalanced woman
- insaneSeverely mentally disturbed
- derangedMentally disturbed, irrational
demented · crazy · shame · prejudice · discrimination · labeling · ostracism · marginalization · taboo · misconception
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- psychiatryMental health medicine
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
- electroshockElectrical brain stimulation therapy
insulin shock · hydrotherapy · occupational therapy · psychotherapy · sedation · tranquilizer · rehabilitation · recovery · counseling · care
seclusion
Voluntary withdrawal from society
- isolationComplete separation from others
- restraintControl over impulses
- straitjacketGarment restricting arm movement
padded cell · locked ward · segregation · incarceration · detention · commitment · involuntary · escape · release · enclosure
mental illness
Disorder affecting cognition or mood
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
melancholia · dementia · hysteria · epilepsy · delusion · hallucination · paranoia · nervous breakdown · insanity · madness
ward
Protected person; division
superintendent · attendant · keeper · inmate · patient · admission · discharge · commitment papers · visiting hours · administration
- asylumsmadhouse, mental institution, psychiatric hospital, psychiatric facility, bedlam
- Victorian establishmentsapothecary, boarding house, coffeehouse, general store, gin palace
- Victorian institutionsworkhouse, poorhouse, almshouse, infirmary, orphanage
- Poor Lawworkhouse, workhouses, poorhouse, poorhouses, parish relief
lunatic asylumuniversity
Higher education institution
private residence · family home · school · prison · sanatorium
lunatic asylumcounseling center
Facility offering psychological services
psychiatric ward · psychiatric hospital · outpatient clinic · mental health clinic · outpatient therapy
lunatic asylumindependent living
Managing without assistance
free society · freedom · liberty · self-determination · home
lunatic, asylum, luna, lunar, lunacy, lunate, lunation, semilunar