A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Psychiatric care involves a comprehensive evaluation of emotional and physical health and the formulation/implementation of an individualized treatment plan, which may include medication, psychotherapy (‘talk therapy’) or other modalities. Psychiatrists help patients to understand the illness and to learn what they can do to resolve life problems that contribute to the illness. This may involve issues on the job, in school or within the family and community.
Yes. People with mental illness do work. Work is a vital part of rehabilitation. It improves self esteem and helps re-integrate people back into their communities.
Mental retardation is a developmental disorder and is totally different from mental illness. Mental illness has to do with abnormal behavior, thoughts and problems regulating one’s emotions.
No. Some may be but treatment significantly reduces the risk of violence.
No. For all intents and purposes these people require treatment not punishment.
The term psychosis refers to loss of touch with reality; the person has abnormal experiences such as hearing voices of people who don’t exist (auditory hallucinations ). The person may have beliefs of being followed or a false sense of self-importance (Delusions).
Some people with psychosis do recover completely while others have residual symptoms and lead productive lives. Others however do not recover significantly to function normally.