PHOTO: COMPFIGHT.COM
KARACHI: Mental illness is not a stigma. It is important to seek treatment for such disorders like one would do for diabetes and hypertension, said consultant psychiatrist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr Mahmood Rehman.
He was speaking at a seminar on 'Stigma and recovery in mental illness: Beyond the doors', held at a psychiatric rehabilitation centre, The Recovery House, on Sunday evening.
"Recovery from chronic mental illnesses is an unending journey. Therefore, speak against the stigma and focus on recovery. It is a positive orientation to life," he said.
What is recovery?
The journey towards recovery starts from finding and maintaining hope, re-establishing a positive identity, taking responsibility and control and building a meaningful life. Where there is no hope, there will be no recovery, said Dr Rehman. He added that patients need to empower themselves through education and acquiring skills they are interested in. "If a patient has no hope, there is no point in taking medication," he said, adding that it has been established that both medicines and psychiatric rehabilitation are a must for treating mental disorders.
Where does recovery take place?
Nearly all the recovery takes place beyond the doors of the hospital ward or the clinic. As a psychiatric, doctors must talk to patients about recovery from the very first day of admission. Simple questions, such as what are your goals, go a long way. Recovery is not rocket science. It is generated by the patient with the help of all members of the treatment team. Upon discharge, it is imperative patient be provided facilities that are important for their recovery. This may involve education, ongoing housing needs and vocational therapy.
Speaking about the stigma, Dr Rehman said it is when someone views the patient in a negative way because they have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that is thought to be or actually is a disadvantage. It can be defined as prejudice based on stereotypes, which results in discrimination. Stigma can have harmful effects like the patient can be reluctant to seek help or treatment. The patient may feel that they cannot succeed in any challenge and cannot improve their situation.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Adeel Anwar Baig gave a presentation on 'Team Spirit: A journey from illness to recovery'. He discussed in detail how team spirit leads to recovery and can be fun. The patients gained self-confidence, ability to take decisions, overcame loneliness after they played cricket together at the TRH. Rehabilitation is an ongoing process and multiple factors contribute to recovery, he said.
The co-founder of the TRH, Khusro Elley, summing up the discussion said that there was a problem of mindset, which would change gradually. Mental illness is often interlinked with insanity, which is totally wrong, he said. "We are ashamed of telling people that our family members are suffering from a mental illness and we do not seek treatment," he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2015.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ