The Asylum

Media

Netflix’s "1899": A New Twist for the Asylum Trope

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on February 27, 2023

A popular Netflix show offers new and frightening twists on an old cinematic trope.

A popular Netflix show offers new and frightening twists on an old cinematic trope.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting: An Asylum History

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on January 20, 2023

The word "gaslighting" has become familiar to us all. Less-known is its historical background of mental incarceration and intrigue.

The word "gaslighting" has become familiar to us all. Less-known is its historical background of mental incarceration and intrigue.

Media

Why Christmas Horror Movies Evoke Ancient Dread

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on December 15, 2022

This year, Hollywood is giving us (more) Santa horror flicks. They evoke old, frightful stories about the original Santa.

This year, Hollywood is giving us (more) Santa horror flicks. They evoke old, frightful stories about the original Santa.

Media

Netflix’s 'The Watcher': A New Mansion of Madness

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

In a new horror series, Netflix taps into one of America's deepest psychological fears.

In a new horror series, Netflix taps into one of America's deepest psychological fears.

Anxiety

Satanic Panics Can Inspire Major Changes in Society

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on October 5, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Today, a significant number of Americans believe a Satanic group of blood-drinking pedophiles threatens the nation. This is reminiscent of an earlier Satanic Panic in the 1980s.

A Personal Perspective: Today, a significant number of Americans believe a Satanic group of blood-drinking pedophiles threatens the nation. This is reminiscent of an earlier Satanic Panic in the 1980s.

Media

Slenderman: A Myth Come to Life?

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on September 7, 2022

Here's how we missed the real story of Slenderman, the internet monster.

Here's how we missed the real story of Slenderman, the internet monster.

Psychiatry

“On Being Sane in Insane Places”: A Cautionary Tale

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on August 1, 2022

In 1973, David Rosenhan published a study that shocked the nation, showing how mental incarceration and psychiatry were deeply flawed. What if he was wrong?

In 1973, David Rosenhan published a study that shocked the nation, showing how mental incarceration and psychiatry were deeply flawed. What if he was wrong?

Health

It’s About Control: Remembering a Mental Health Crusader

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on July 1, 2022

Elizabeth Packard fought for women's rights in mental health care long ago. Her forgotten battle is more relevant now than ever.

Elizabeth Packard fought for women's rights in mental health care long ago. Her forgotten battle is more relevant now than ever.

Psychosis

Does the Movie "Frankenstein" Impart a Message About Bigotry?

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on May 23, 2022

The classic film "Frankenstein" blames the beast on an "abnormal" brain. This speaks to a dark—and ongoing—history of stigma and hate.

The classic film "Frankenstein" blames the beast on an "abnormal" brain. This speaks to a dark—and ongoing—history of stigma and hate.

Psychiatry

Castles, Witches, and Snake Pits: The Folklore of the Asylum

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on April 25, 2022

Some of the most popular depictions of mental hospitals are classic examples of folklore. This is no aberration. Folklore is far more influential than you might think.

Some of the most popular depictions of mental hospitals are classic examples of folklore. This is no aberration. Folklore is far more influential than you might think.

Psychosis

The Batman: Back to Bedlam

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on March 21, 2022

Can the new Batman movie stay out of the asylum? Don't bet on it.

Can the new Batman movie stay out of the asylum? Don't bet on it.

Media

Undercover in the Asylum: Nellie Bly, Daredevil Reporter

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on February 17, 2022

How a long-forgotten woman reporter went undercover in a mental hospital and pioneered a new style of journalism.

How a long-forgotten woman reporter went undercover in a mental hospital and pioneered a new style of journalism.

Psychosis

How Movie Villains Inform the Way We View Psychopaths

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on January 14, 2022

In movies, serial killers are inhuman monsters meant to be destroyed. Is this something we think about when the death penalty is used?

In movies, serial killers are inhuman monsters meant to be destroyed. Is this something we think about when the death penalty is used?

Psychiatry

Stranger Things and the Asylum Trope

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on December 10, 2021

The new season of Stranger Things is on its way. Here's a primer of how mental hospital themes have added to its horror.

The new season of Stranger Things is on its way. Here's a primer of how mental hospital themes have added to its horror.

Media

Asylum: What's in a Word?

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on November 12, 2021

When we hear the word "asylum," we think of bad things. But this was not always the case. Not for mental health, not for immigrants. It's time to re-evaluate.

When we hear the word "asylum," we think of bad things. But this was not always the case. Not for mental health, not for immigrants. It's time to re-evaluate.

Psychopathy

Boogie Man Season

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on October 4, 2021

One of film's most enduring killers, Michael Myers, returns this Halloween to dispatch his latest round of victims. Can he stay out of a mental hospital for once?

One of film's most enduring killers, Michael Myers, returns this Halloween to dispatch his latest round of victims. Can he stay out of a mental hospital for once?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Movies and in Real Life

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on August 27, 2021

Does Hollywood get PTSD right? Not usually.

Does Hollywood get PTSD right? Not usually.

Race and Ethnicity

“Bad” Knowledge: Catcher in the Rye to Critical Race Theory

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on July 23, 2021

The battle over Critical Race Theory is really a battle over the right to teach dissenting ideas in school. The past teaches us that critical thought must be allowed.

The battle over Critical Race Theory is really a battle over the right to teach dissenting ideas in school. The past teaches us that critical thought must be allowed.

Conscientiousness

Conscientious Objectors: Different WWII Heroes

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on June 11, 2021

This month, we remember D-Day and America's role in saving democracy in World War II. We should also remember those who could not serve, but who helped the nation too.

This month, we remember D-Day and America's role in saving democracy in World War II. We should also remember those who could not serve, but who helped the nation too.

Fear

Can a Person Be Scared to Death?

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on May 5, 2021

It is not unheard of to literally drop dead from fear—but it's more likely to happen in fiction.

It is not unheard of to literally drop dead from fear—but it's more likely to happen in fiction.