WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

The term "mental illness" includes a variety of disorders that actually affects  the way a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. Just like other  medical illnesses, they can vary in severity. Many people suffering from mental illness may not look as though they are ill or that something is wrong, while others may appear to be confused, agitated, or withdrawn.

MYTHS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND ITS TREATMENT:

Myth #1: Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just "crazy."
Fact: Psychiatric disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively.

Myth #2: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), formerly known as "shock treatment," is painful and barbaric.
Fact: ECT has given a new lease on life to many people who suffer from severe and debilitating depression. It is used when other treatments such as psychotherapy or medication fail or cannot be used. The ECT procedure has been modified so that the patient does not feel any  pain or have any convulsions. Patients who receive ECT are asleep and under anesthesia, so they do not feel anything.

Myth #3: Those who talk about attempting suicide are less likely to act.

Fact: People who threaten to take their lives are more prone to attempt it than those who do not. Every threat SHOULD be taken seriously

 

Myth #4 : Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack of willpower.

Fact:  Addiction is often chalked up to a lack of self-control on the part of the sufferer. But the problem is not that simple; addictions involve complex factors including genetics (alcoholism, for example, often runs in families), the environment, and sometimes other underlying psychiatric conditions such as depression. It's rare that a person can simply stop drinking or kick a drug habit cold turkey, though it can happen. But judging people as “weak and characterless” can make the problem worse .

 

Myth #5: All childhood disorders are caused by ‘bad’ parenting.

Fact: While parenting  plays an important part in the childs development it should be understood that many childhood disorders  have clear  neurobiological etiologies that cannot be explained purely on bad parenting.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSYCHIATRIST AND A PSYCHOLOGIST?

The simplest way to describe the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that the latter is a medical doctor who has the license to prescribe medicines, while a psychologist focuses primarily on counseling and psychotherapy.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE IF I’M DIAGNOSED WITH A PROBLEM?

The duration of psychiatric treatment depends on many factors and varies for each individual case.  Few conditions such as frequent relapses, chronic and long duration of illness warrant a longer duration of treatment.

WILL I BECOME ADDICTED TO THE MEDICATIONS I’M PRESCRIBED?

If you follow the psychiatrists prescriptions and advice properly there is no reason to believe that you will become addicted to the medications.  Self- medicating and adjusting doses without consulting the psychiatrist could lead to a wide range of problems.

ARE MY RECORDS CONFIDENTIAL?

Absolutely, your records will never be shared with anyone at anytime without your consent.