Introduction to Psychiatry
ROUEL N,. DE ASIS, PTRP, LPT, MBA
Psychiatry
Johann Christian Reil
German physician, 1808
Psych- means soul.
-iatry means medical treatment.
Medical treatment of the soul.
Mental Illness
Mental and behavioral disorders are
understood as clinically significant
conditions characterized by alterations in
thinking, mood (emotions) or behavior
associated with personal distress and/or
impaired functioning. (WHO, 2001)
Common Confusions within Psychiatry
Psychology
Science that investigates behavior, experience, and normal functioning of the mind.
Psychotherapy
Treatment of psychological issues by nonphysical means.
Psychoanalysis
Particular sort of psychotherapy, or means of exploring the unconscious mind.
Etiology of Mental Illness
Predisposing factors
Factors which determine an individual’s susceptibility to mental illness.
They interact with precipitating factors resulting in mental illness.
Genetic make-up
Physical damage to the central nervous system
Adverse psychosocial influence
Etiology of Mental Illness
Precipitating factors
Events that occur shortly before the onset of a disorder and appear to have induced
it.
Physical stress
Psychosocial stress
Perpetuating factors
Factors which are responsible for aggravating or prolonging the diseases already
existing in an individual (e.g., psychosocial stress).
Biologic Factors
Heredity
What one inherits is not the illness or its symptoms, but a predisposition to the
illness, which is determined by genes.
Biochemical factors
Biochemical abnormalities in the brain are considered to be the cause of some
psychological disorders.
Brain damage
Any damage to the structure and functioning of the brain can give rise to mental
illness.
Physiological Changes
1. It has been observed that mental disorders are more likely to occur at certain
critical periods of life.
2. These periods are marked not only by physiological (endocrine) changes, but
also by psychological issues that diminish the adaptive capacity of the individual.
3. Thus, the individual becomes more susceptible to mental illness during this
period.
Psychological Changes
Specific personality types
Psychological factors
Childhood insecurities
Social and recreational deprivations
Marriage problems
Sexual difficulties
Stress, frustration, and seasonal variations
Social Factors
Poverty, unemployment, injustice, insecurity, migration, urbanization.
Gambling, alcoholism, broken homes, divorce, very big family, religion, traditions.
Misconceptions about Mental Illness
1. Mental illness is caused by supernatural power and is the result of a curse or
possession by evil spirit.
2. Mentally ill people show bizarre behavior.
3. Mentally ill people are dangerous.
4. Mental illness is something to be ashamed of.
5. Mental illness is not curable.
6. Mental illness is contagious.
7. Mental illness is always hereditary.
8. Marriage can cure mental illness.
Misconceptions about Mental Illness
9. Mental hospitals are places where only dangerous mentally ill individuals are
treated and restraint is a major form of treatment.
10. Further, as ex patient of a mental hospital, he, as well as his family members are
often isolated.
Features of Mental Illness
Disturbances in bodily functions
Disturbances in mental functions
Changes in social activities
Somatic complaints
Mental Health in Physiotherapy
As health care providers, physiotherapists are involved in the prevention and
promotion of health, including mental health.
It is their responsibility to inform individuals adequately about mental health,
eliminate misconceptions about mental illness and refer them when necessary to
specialized professionals in mental health and psychiatry.
Recommendations for Mental Health Care
Improve mental health care
Organize specific care for different ages including children, adolescents and elderly
and risk‐related groups as persons with eating disorders, psychotic disorders, etc.
Ensure access to primary care for people with mental health problems
Provide treatment in ‘community‐based services for persons with severe mental
health problems.
Recommendations for Mental Health Care