Mental Health Care From The Patient's Point Of View: What Really Works?

There is much more to mental health care than prescribing medications or undergoing therapy sessions. For patients, it means that they need to feel listened to, treated with respect and understanding during the whole process. What is good mental health care? It differs for each person, but one thing must be true the experience of patients and their personal preferences have to come first.

Being Heard with No Judgement

The first thing that people struggling with mental issues face when going to seek professional help is expressing their concerns. What is good mental health care for patients in this situation? The ability to open up and share their thoughts freely without fear of being judged or misunderstood by professionals. Therapists and doctors should listen to the patient and ask him/her the right questions in order to get the full picture of the patient's condition.

Medication should be a conversation

Medication can be a key factor in the management of disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, among others. From the patient's point of view, however, receiving any medication should not be left as a choice entirely up to another person.

The ideal situation would involve having an explanation for why the medication is being prescribed, its benefits, duration of action and potential side effects. The patient should be allowed to voice any reservations or preferences regarding the treatment. If the medication leads to undesirable side effects or simply seems ineffective, then the patient should not hesitate to speak about it to his/her physician. A shared decision-making process ensures that the patient feels involved and not helpless.

Therapy Involves More Than Talking About Problems

Although therapy can be depicted as an act of discussing issues, successful therapy entails much more than that. Therapy can aid patients in understanding their own feelings, identifying negative thought patterns, learning new coping strategies, fostering healthy relationships, and pursuing important life objectives.

A skilled therapist is never one who gives orders to the patients. A good therapist is someone who works together with the patient. Communication and trust are extremely vital. The patient might require some time to get accustomed to the process of therapy, which requires challenging discussions.

The Therapy Program Has to Be Tailored To Individual Needs

Two patients diagnosed with the same condition might be dealing with completely different symptoms, histories, duties, goals, and lifestyles. Good mental health care is not a standardized treatment program. Treatment needs to take into consideration a patient's personal circumstances, including his or her lifestyle, family environment, economic state, culture, and individual goals. Some people may require medication, others psychotherapy, and many will require both treatment techniques.

In addition to this, patients need to be consulted when setting realistic goals in terms of treatment. Success in one individual can include the ability to go back to work, restoring relationships, or even performing basic activities easier. Recurrent follow-ups and open conversations will help understand what works and what requires changes.

Dignity, Respect, and Choice

It is safe to say that respecting the patient's dignity is probably the most crucial component of good mental health care. People are not defined by their health conditions. The patients have a right to receive understandable information, confidentiality, respectful treatment and participation in all decisions regarding their own health. It is important for the patient to know that their concerns matter, and the healthcare provider considers them as a whole person.

A Future Focused on the Patient

Quality mental health care, in the end, is about partnership. Medicine and therapy are very powerful in themselves, but their effectiveness increases many times over if the patient feels informed and included. From the patient's perspective, good quality mental health care does not only involve decreasing the number of symptoms. It is also about building confidence and healthier life and moving towards their goals.

(By Dr Samant Darshi, Psychiatrist & Neuromodulation Expert, Director-Psymate Noida)

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