In the article, two socio-psychological phenomena that prevent timely and effective treatment of mentally ill patients are examined: 1) strengthening of the religious obscurantism; 2) mythological fear of psychiatry. It is pointed out that the demonic possession being a source of mental disorders and the exorcism being a method of liberation from these ailments are widespread ideas in the society. The author's classification of the basic psychiatric myths existing in the Russian society is offered. It is noted that the immediate goal of reforming society's views on psychiatry (their demythologization) should be the establishment of a firm and sustainable desire for a mutual cooperation of society, on one hand, and psychiatrists, and the other.