Opinion: Who Needs A Psychiatrist?, By Margaret Uddin-Ojeahere
The question, “Who needs a psychiatrist?”, is becoming more pertinent than ever before in the history of man. Not only because the different turmoil across diverse parts of the world have led to an increasing number of individuals with one form of mental illness or the other. But, also, because of the misconception by a considerable number of people that “psychiatrists” attend to only “mad” people.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, dare I say worldwide, mental illness has continued to be shrouded in a great deal of mystery, leading to different reactions in which general perception has oscillated between the extremes of fear, ridicule, revulsion and ignorance, on one hand, and fascination, voyeuristic curiosity and normalisation on the other hand. It is therefore not surprising that several misconceptions surround mental illness and the role of the “psychiatrist.
What this therefore means is that there exists a huge burden of mental illness, and a dire need for psychiatrists around the world. Yet, Nigeria has about 250 qualified psychiatrists to a population of 40-60 million people with mental illness. Even more bothersome, of late, has been the massive exodus from the country of doctors in different areas of specialisation. Needless to say that a number of these psychiatrists are leaving the country for perceived greener pastures.
Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe appropriate medications as well as to engage in psychotherapy to alleviate these mental disorders. They usually work with other mental health workers, including psychologists, nurses, social workers, vocational therapists, speech therapists etc., and in liaison with other non-psychiatric physicians.
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