In earlier times, an initial term for mental disorder, derived from the name of the patron saint of people with anxiety problems or mental disorders. In accordance with lore, Dymphna, a middle-ages Irish princess, fled to Belgium to break free from the incestuous approaches of her insane father, who then had her put to death in the vicinity of Gheel. See also: Gheel colony.
Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "SAINT DYMPHNA'S DISEASE," in PsychologyDictionary.org, April 28, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/saint-dymphnas-disease/ (accessed January 28, 2023).