In the dark night of the mind, every psychiatrist is a walker who carries a lantern and illuminates the path of the patient.
The fast-paced life of modern society has made more and more people feel the burden of mental pressure. Mental illness, a field that was once stigmatized, is gradually coming into the public eye. However, the public's perception of the work of psychiatrists is still full of misunderstandings and doubts. Who are they? How do they help souls who are struggling with spiritual distress?
How can I help? Written by veteran psychiatrists David Goldbloom and Pierre Brydon, this book demystifies the work of psychiatrists and shows how they support and treat patients through both scientific and humanistic perspectives.
David Goldbloom, MD, Fellow of the Royal College of Canada, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and former President of the Canadian Council on Mental Health. Pierre Brydon, MD, is a psychiatrist and clinical faculty member at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, and an associate professor at the University of Toronto School of Medicine. Both authors have extensive experience and strong academic backgrounds in the field of mental health.
The book takes the reader through the daily work of a psychiatrist through real medical records, which are clued over the course of a week. The book not only covers the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, but also touches on the limitations of psychiatry, ethical issues, and the importance of social support.
01 Psychiatrist's daily life and challenges
The job of a psychiatrist is far more complicated than we think. Not only do they have to diagnose and treat patients with their expertise, but they also need to go deep into the patient's inner world and understand their emotions and experiences. The job requires a doctor to have keen insight, a great deal of empathy, and constant patience.
However, the challenges they face are also multifaceted: the complexity of mental illness makes the treatment process uncertain; Patient distrust and resistance increase the difficulty of treatment; Social prejudice and misunderstanding make doctors' jobs even worse. Against this backdrop, psychiatrists must find a delicate balance between respecting the wishes of their patients and ensuring their safety.
For example, Ania is a depressed patient, and her story is the epitome of the daily challenges of a psychiatrist. Ania is fiercely resistant to treatment, her eyes filled with boredom with life and hopelessness for the future. Whenever the doctor tried to communicate with her, she always responded with silence and avoidance. Her suicidal thoughts were like a ticking time bomb that kept doctors and nurses on high alert.
On a rainy Monday morning, doctors found Aniah's bed empty during their rounds. A wave of uneasiness welled up in their hearts, and they hurried to look around. Eventually, Ania was found sitting alone in a small garden of the hospital, with a glazed eye. Her clothes were soaked in the rain, and she clutched a blurred family photo in her hand. The scene shook the doctor so deeply that he realized that for a patient like Aniya, just providing medication was not enough. What they need is a holistic care, understanding and companionship, a treatment that touches the soul.
In the days that followed, the doctor began to experiment with different ways to connect with Aniah. They walked together, painted together, and even listened to her favorite old songs together. Slowly, Ania began to open up to the doctors, and she talked about her family, about the trauma that was hidden deep in her heart. The doctor listened patiently and gave her warmth and support. As time passed, Aniah's condition gradually improved, and the spark of life rekindled in her eyes.
Aniah's story teaches us that the job of a psychiatrist is not only to treat diseases, but also to light a lamp in the dark night of the patient's heart, leading them out of the haze and regaining hope and courage in life. This requires extraordinary patience and conviction, as well as a deep understanding and respect for each patient's life story.
02 Treatment and Ethics of Mental Illness
Treating mental illness is a challenging task that requires not only deep medical knowledge, but also a deep understanding and respect for the individual patient's situation. Ethical considerations are always at the heart of this process. Physicians must find a balance between respecting the patient's autonomy and protecting the patient from self-harm.
This involves respecting the patient's wishes, communicating the treatment plan transparently, and protecting the patient's privacy. In addition, physicians need to consider the patient's social environment, cultural background, and family status, which are all important factors that influence treatment decisions.
Melissa, for example, fell into a deep depression shortly after giving birth. She felt powerless in the care of her newborn and became indifferent to her husband's care. Melissa's depression was severe and needed immediate medication, but she was faced with a difficult choice: medication could be passed on to her baby through breast milk, and she felt guilty and upset about stopping breastfeeding.
On a warm spring afternoon, Melissa sat in the hospital garden, holding her sleeping baby in her hands, her face full of tears. The doctor walked up to her and whispered about her concerns. Melissa choked up and said, "I don't want to be a bad mother, but I also don't want my child to be hurt because of my illness." The doctor patiently listened to her, explained in detail the pros and cons of medication, and discussed other possible treatment options, including psychological counseling and temporary formula feeding.
Under the guidance of the doctor, Melissa began to understand that treating depression was not only for herself, but also for being able to take better care of her children. She decided to take medication and, under the supervision of a doctor, took the minimum effective dose while temporarily feeding with powdered milk. After a few weeks, Melissa's mental state improved significantly, and she began to enjoy interacting with her child and was grateful for the understanding and support given by the doctor during this difficult time.
Melissa's story shows the respect and ethical trade-offs that psychiatrists have for their patients' individual wishes during treatment. Rather than simply providing medical advice, doctors participate in the decision-making process with the patient, taking into account the patient's values and life situation. This patient-centered treatment model not only embodies the principles of medical ethics, but also improves the treatment effect and helps patients regain hope and dignity in life.
03 Psychiatric Education and Social Cognition
The role of a psychiatrist extends beyond treatment to education and advocacy. They need to raise public awareness of mental illness through various means, including knowledge popularization and correct guidance on multiple platforms such as schools, communities, and the media.
The goal of education is to destigmatize mental illness and to educate the public about these diseases as health problems that can be treated medically. In addition, psychiatrists also need to advocate for compassion and support for patients with mental illness, promote social inclusion, and help patients better integrate into society.
The book's discussion of ECT (electroshock therapy) is a vivid example of the topic of psychiatric education and social cognition. ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, is a treatment that stimulates the brain with a brief electrical current to trigger the synchronization of electrical activity in the brain, and is commonly used to treat major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. However, due to historical reasons and misleading media information, ECT is often misunderstood among the public as a cruel treatment.
For example, Richard, a middle-aged man who has struggled with major depressive disorder for a long time, has tried a variety of medications and psychotherapy, but none of them have worked well. After gaining an in-depth understanding of the principles and process of ECT treatment, Richard chose this treatment. Before the treatment, the doctor explained to him in detail the possible effects and risks of ECT and provided him with comprehensive support.
Later, Richard entered the treatment room in the company of doctors and family. During the treatment, Richard was anesthetized, and doctors placed electrodes in his head, followed by an appropriate amount of electrical stimulation. After the treatment, Richard gradually woke up from anesthesia, his mental state improved significantly, and the long-lost smile reappeared on his face.
Because of this, the authors also convey a message to the public in the book: ECT is not as ruthless as the media portrays, but an important treatment that can effectively improve the patient's symptoms in specific situations. Through such education and advocacy, the authors hope to correct public bias against ECT and promote understanding and acceptance of the treatment of mental illness.
04 Conclusion
Overall, How can I help? is a work full of humanistic care and the spirit of scientific exploration. Not only does it provide us with a valuable perspective on the work of psychiatrists, but it also gives us a glimpse of what people who struggle with mental distress really look like. Through the author's sincere record and deep reflection, we are able to re-examine mental illness, understand the role of the psychiatrist, and the attitudes that each of us should have when confronting mental health issues.
How can I help? On-site medical records from a senior psychiatrist ¥48 purchase
In the labyrinth of the spirit, every psychiatrist is a leader, not only treating the disease, but also lighting up hope and leading the patient to the light.
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