[Patient attitude toward the psychiatric hospital]

The analysis of preconceived ideas about psychiatric hospital performed in 12 healthy individuals and 21 mental patients permitted the authors to identify basic components of negative attitude to psychiatric hospital. The 4 clusters were determined: fear of psychic disease; fear concerning the stay in psychiatric hospital; negative social attitude toward mental patients, loss of self respect; fear of possible social consequences. Essential differences of attitude exists in patients and in society. With growing experience of contacts with psychiatric service the fear about social discrimination became more significant.