Mental Health
Treatment of mental illness
Also known as: Psychiatric treatment, Psychotherapy, Mental health treatment
Treatment of mental illness condition guide: symptoms, causes, prevention, and when to seek care. Educational only — not a diagnosis.
Overview
Many mental health conditions can be treated nearly as effectively as other medical illnesses. Main approaches are somatic (physical) treatments—medicines, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and magnetic or nerve stimulation of the brain—and psychological treatments (talking therapy, behavioural methods, and sometimes hypnotherapy). For many major conditions, medicine plus talking therapy works better than either alone. A care team may include a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, social worker, and primary-care clinician.
Symptoms
- Symptoms that continue despite family support
- Depression or anxiety that blocks work
- Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations or delusions)
- Severe mood swings (depression or mania)
- Related sleep or appetite problems
- Thoughts of self-harm
Causes
Treatment is chosen based on the type of problem, severity, medical history, and the person’s preferences. Some medicines help more than one condition (for example, antipsychotics can also treat bipolar disorder).
Treatment (general information)
Common medicines: SSRIs and SNRIs for depression/anxiety; anti-anxiety medicines; antipsychotics (older and second-generation); and mood stabilisers such as lithium or certain antiseizure drugs. Talking therapy may be behavioural, cognitive, interpersonal, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, or supportive—individual, group, family, or couples. ECT can help severe depression; short-term memory loss can occur. Transcranial magnetic stimulation or vagus-nerve stimulation may help treatment-resistant depression. Do not change doses without clinical advice.
Prevention
Sticking to the care plan, attending sessions, avoiding alcohol/illicit drugs that clash with medicines, and keeping a support network reduce relapse. Assertive community treatment (ACT) can help people with severe long-term illness.
When to see a doctor
Contact a clinic if symptoms do not improve after weeks of treatment, medicine side effects are severe, or you have thoughts of self-harm. Emergency: self-harm attempt, violence, or severe confusion.
Frequently asked questions
- Who can prescribe medicines?
- A psychiatrist (and sometimes a primary-care doctor or specialist nurse, depending on the country) can prescribe. Many psychologists and counsellors provide talking therapy.
- Is ECT safe?
- With modern anaesthesia, ECT is considered safe and effective for severe depression. Short-term memory loss can occur; a clinician explains risks and benefits.
- Is talking therapy alone enough?
- For some milder conditions it can be. For many major conditions, combining it with medicine works better.