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September 13, 2023

Navigating the Spectrum of Mental Illness & The Role of Clinical Psychiatry in Addressing Mental Health Stigma

Mental health has long been identified as an important aspect of our well-being. Our mental condition affects our thoughts, feelings, actions, relationships, choices, and stress levels.

Mental health issues are quite common. Anyone can have mental health issues, regardless of age, gender, culture, or background. In fact, as per the WHO, 1 in eight people live with a mental disorder across the world.

Some Common Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues are common and not a sign of weakness or failure. They can be caused by various factors and affect our mood, behaviour, thinking, and body.

Let us take a look at a few typical mental health conditions:

Stress: Response to a threat or challenge that can cause anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, or digestive issues.
Anxiety: Worry or fear about a future event that can cause nervousness, panic, palpitations, trembling, tremors, chest pain, dizziness, or nausea.
Depression: Persistent sadness or emptiness that can cause hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, weight or appetite changes, sleep problems, concentration or memory problems, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Trauma: Reaction to a traumatic or life-threatening event that can cause flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, dissociation, or substance abuse.
Addiction: Compulsive and uncontrollable use of a substance or behaviour that can cause craving, tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control, or neglect.

Understanding Clinical Psychiatry

When a person is in a healthy mental state, they can handle life’s typical stressors, work productively, and realize their potential. However, many people face challenges that affect their mental health, such as stress, trauma, abuse, addiction, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and more. These challenges can interfere with their daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life. Fortunately, there is a field of medicine that can help people with mental health issues: Clinical Psychiatry.

Clinical psychiatry is a field of medicine that focuses on identifying, managing, and avoiding mental health issues. Clinical psychiatrists are medical professionals who have undergone extra training in psychiatry after earning their medical degree.

They can also provide various treatments for people with mental health problems, such as ECT or TMS, which use electricity or magnets to stimulate the brain, as well as prescribe medications and conduct psychotherapy, a form of talking therapy.

Clinical psychiatry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health issues that affect the emotions and behaviours of people.

Psychiatrists are doctors who have successfully finished medical school and psychiatric residency training. They have the knowledge and skills to assess the underlying biological, psychological, and societal causes of mental health issues. They can also prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy, and perform other interventions to help their patients.

The Role of Clinical Psychiatry in Treating Mental Health Issues

Clinical psychiatry plays a vital role in treating mental health issues. They can help their patients by:

Providing a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of their condition
Developing a personalised treatment plan that suits their needs and preferences
Monitoring their progress and adjusting the treatment as needed.
Partnering with other medical experts, such as psychologists, social workers, nurses, and therapists.
Educating them and their families about their condition and how to cope with it
Supporting them in their recovery and preventing relapse

When Should One Meet a Psychiatrist?

One should consider meeting a psychiatrist if they experience any of the following signs or symptoms:

Persistent depressive, hopeless, guilty, or worthless emotions
Excessive worry, fear, nervousness, or panic
Difficulty sleeping, eating, concentrating, or remembering
Decline in enthusiasm for previously enjoyed pursuits
Irritability, anger, aggression, or violence
Mood swings, manic episodes, or depression

Thoughts of harming oneself or others
Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or psychosis
Substance abuse or addiction
Impulsive or compulsive behaviours
Personality changes or dissociation
Problems with relationships, work, school, or social functioning

These signs or symptoms may indicate a mental disorder that requires professional help. However, there are other potential causes for them, such as physical ailments, medications, stressors, or life events. Therefore, it is essential to consult a psychiatrist who can rule out other causes and provide an accurate diagnosis.

Benefits of Meeting a Psychiatrist

Here are some of the benefits you will gain by meeting a psychiatrist.

A better understanding of your condition: They can explain your condition’s causes, symptoms, and effects and help you plan your treatment more effectively.
A personalised treatment plan: They can develop a treatment strategy that addresses your goals and adjust your treatment as necessary. This is most commonly done by including you in the entire process.
Enhanced communication skills: They can help you improve how you communicate your emotions, needs, and expectations to others and get better care and support from them.
A reliable diagnosis: They can give you a reliable diagnosis based on a professional evaluation and assessment and help you get the proper treatment for your condition. They can also help eliminate other conditions that may confuse your symptoms.
Specific treatment recommendations: They can offer specific treatment recommendations based on your condition and diagnosis. Medication, counselling, and other interventions may help you improve your situation.
A supportive and caring relationship: They can provide a supportive and loving relationship to help you cope with your condition. They can offer you emotional support and encouragement as you work on improving your mental health.

How Can a Psychiatrist Help You?

A psychiatrist can help you by offering various treatments to enhance your mental well-being.

Some of the common treatment techniques used by psychiatrists are:

Medications: These are drugs that can affect the brain chemistry and regulate the mood, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of the patient. They can also reduce the severity and frequency of the symptoms. Some examples of medications used in psychiatry are antidepressants, antianxiety agents, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and stimulants.
Psychotherapy: This is a form of talking therapy that can help the patient understand their problems and develop coping skills. It can also help them change negative thoughts and beliefs and improve their self-esteem and relationships. There are various forms of psychotherapy, including CBT (cognitive behavioural treatment), interpersonal therapy (IPT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy (PDT), and family therapy (FT).
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT involves a process known as electroconvulsive treatment which is used to induce convulsions involving inducing a seizure. It can help treat severe depression and other conditions that do not respond to medications or psychotherapy. It is usually done under general anaesthesia and with muscle relaxants to prevent pain and injury.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): This is a technique that stimulates particular brain regions with the use of magnetic fields. It can help treat depression and other disorders by modulating brain activity and enhancing the effects of medications or psychotherapy. It is usually done in an outpatient setting with minimal side effects.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): This device connects to the neck’s vagus nerve using an implant under the chest skin. It delivers electrical pulses to the nerve, sending signals to the brain. It can help treat depression and epilepsy by regulating the mood and reducing seizures. It is usually used as an adjunctive treatment when other options fail.

These treatment techniques are not mutually exclusive. A psychiatrist may combine or use them in different phases of the treatment depending on the patient’s condition, response, and preference. The goal of the therapy is to help the patient achieve remission, which means the absence or minimal presence of the symptoms, and maintain it for an extended time.

Recovering from a Mental Health Issue

Recovery from mental health issues depends on many factors, such as the problem, the treatment, the support, the self-care, and the goals. However, some general points are:

Recovery is possible with treatment and support, but it means finding new ways to live well despite the challenges. Recovery is also a journey that may have ups and downs.
Recovery time varies by the problem and the treatment. Some problems are more treatable than others, and some treatments work better. For example, anxiety disorders are common but highly treatable, while psychotic disorders may need lifelong medication and support.
Recovery time also depends on the treatment motivation, commitment, and adherence. Treatment works better if the person follows the regimen, attends the sessions, participates in the therapy, and collaborates with the professional. Treatment can also be improved using self-help activities like self-care, coping strategies, materials, and supportive people or groups.
Recovery time is flexible and adaptable to the person’s needs and preferences. Recovery is a personal and unique experience that depends on what it means to each person. Some people aim for complete remission, while others seek to reduce distress and improve functioning.
Some people measure recovery by their roles and activities, while others explore new opportunities and possibilities. Some people may recover in weeks or months, while others may take years or decades. The important thing is to find what works best for oneself and pursue one’s own goals at one’s own pace.

Recovery from mental health issues is possible but not predictable. It depends on various factors that affect the recovery process. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional who can diagnose, treat, monitor, and support the person’s recovery journey.

How to Get Support and Help for Mental Health Issues

To get help for your mental health, you should:

Be aware of your symptoms and signs and use online tools like self-assessment or screening exams to check your mental health.
Consult a specialist in mental health, such as a therapist, counsellor, psychiatrist, or social worker, for advice or visit a mental health facility.
Reach out to your family, friends, or other supportive people or groups, online or offline, who can listen to you and offer advice.
Take care of yourself and use self-help techniques and resources to cope with stress and improve your well-being.

Good Mental health is Not a Destination, but a Journey

Good mental health is everyone’s right. Our psychological well-being affects how we feel, think, and act. However, mental health is not a fixed state but a spectrum that can change over time and in different situations. People of all ages, genders, cultures, and backgrounds can experience mental health issues.

Clinical psychiatry is a field of medicine that can help people with mental health issues. It can diagnose, treat, and prevent mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. It can also offer various treatment techniques, such as medications, psychotherapy, ECT, TMS, and VNS. These techniques can improve the mental health and well-being of the patient and help them recover from their condition.

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health issues, don’t be afraid to get help from a psychiatrist. They can help you find the best solution and guide you through healing. Remember, you are not alone; there is hope for a better future.

Clinical psychiatry is a vital part of the mental health field that can help address the stigma that affects people with mental health problems. By providing evidence-based and person-centred care, advocating for the rights and dignity of people with mental health problems, and collaborating with other stakeholders to reduce stigma and improve mental health, a more supportive and inclusive society can be developed.

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