--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before you can kill a demon, you have to…" description: "\"Before you can kill a demon, you have to be able to say it's name. Names have power. While the word Alzheimer's terrorizes us, it has power over us. Wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/terry-pratchett-19_able_before-you-can-kill-a-demon-you-have-to_2077946.jpg" --- # Before you can kill a demon, you have to be able to say… ![“Before you can kill a demon, you have to be able to say it's name. Names have power. While the word Alzheimer's terrorizes us, it has power over us. When we are prepared to discuss it aloud, we might have power over it. It's thought of as a mental illness and it is a physical illness, affecting…” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/terry-pratchett-19_able_before-you-can-kill-a-demon-you-have-to_2077946.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/terry-pratchett-19_able_before-you-can-kill-a-demon-you-have-to_2077946.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/terry-pratchett-19_able_before-you-can-kill-a-demon-you-have-to_2077946.jpg) > “Before you can kill a demon, you have to be able to say it's name. Names have power. While the word Alzheimer's terrorizes us, it has power over us. When we are prepared to discuss it aloud, we might have power over it. It's thought of as a mental illness and it is a physical illness, affecting the brain. There should be no shame in having it, yet people still don't talk about it” [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Naming a disease reduces its mystery, giving people agency to confront it, despite stigma and fear. **In simple terms:** Talk about illness to gain control. Key Takeaway Speak openly about health challenges. Themes stigma mental health empowerment language awareness Mood empathetic reflective encouraging Type health motivational When to use this quote - doctor appointments - support groups - public health campaigns Key Concepts psychology social perception communication strategies Questions to Reflect On - What benefits arise from openly naming health issues? - How can we reduce shame around mental illness? A Different Perspective Some may feel naming intensifies fear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alzheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alzheimer/) [Alzheimer 's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alzheimer-s/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Dementia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dementia/) [Demon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) ## Related quotes > [Americans whisper the word Alzheimer's because their government whispers the word Alzheimer's. 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