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Post by Admin on Nov 2, 2016 14:40:42 GMT -4
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Post by Lee Wagner on Nov 2, 2016 15:11:36 GMT -4
I guess the article does raise an important issue, how the public views Psychiatrists. I was not aware of the negative stigma attached to the profession, which is clearly brought up in this article. Education and awareness are probably the best ways to go about debunking the myths and negativity around it.
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Post by Caren Ramdeen on Nov 2, 2016 16:39:32 GMT -4
It is unfortunate that this stigma is so commonplace. The author rightfully states that people may always fear psychiatry, mental illness, and what they do not know. It is this fear of the unknown that keeps people from becoming aware of psychiatry’s place in the medical world. Too often have I heard that psychiatrists are not “real” doctors because they don’t practice “real” medicine. Who determines what is real medicine? Patients with mental illnesses are still “patients” who need to be treated. These stigmatizing attitudes keep mental health patients from seeking the medical attention that they need; therefore, awareness must be raised regarding a psychiatrist’s role in managing patient care.
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Post by Elio Monsour on Nov 2, 2016 17:58:07 GMT -4
The author demonstrates compassion, along with frustration, in debunking the myths and stigma associated with inpatient psychiatry, for herself and for her patients. Truly, these misunderstandings are constantly influenced widely by popular media culture, which sadly dominates the perception and views of the public—not just in inpatient psychiatry but in other affairs as well. Mental illness is an illness nonetheless, and shouldn’t be treated or judged any differently from other ailments. There is a need for persistent advocacy and education along with more open discussion on these issues. With time, hopefully the ignorance, fear, and/or confusion affiliated with mental health will decrease drastically.
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Tunisha Zaman (MS3)
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Post by Tunisha Zaman (MS3) on Nov 2, 2016 18:15:24 GMT -4
It is unfortunate that we live in a society where people would make an ignorant comment such as “why would you want to do that?” Well why not? People do not question other doctors in different specialties. The fact of the matter is that mental illness does exist, and in order to help these patients get better and maintain stability in their lives, we need more psychiatrists. There are benefits and disadvantages in all specialties, not just psychiatry. What matters is what you bring to the table, what your perspective is, and what you will do to make a difference in these people’s lives. If we did not have psychiatrists in this world, then who would help these people who are fighting and struggling with mental illness on a daily basis? Psychiatrists are equally vital to the medical community just like any other doctors, and they deserve the same respect just like anybody else. There is a purpose for every action that is partaken when taking care of a patient just like any other diagnostic and surgical procedure. Instead of judging what happens in a psychiatric facility setting, people should gain something educational from it.
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Post by Gurinder Sidhu- Extern on Nov 3, 2016 9:16:29 GMT -4
I believe that inpatient psychiatry still has many negative connotations held over from the 1960s idea of mental asylums. Most people’s images of anything to do with inpatient psychiatry arises from various pop culture references including movies. Not many people are aware of the strides that have been made in psychiatry and that psychiatrists are more equipped to help patients get and do better. As the article suggests however it is an uphill battle to change the perceptions of the “psych hospital.” As the field of psychiatry is coming more to the limelight many people are also now aware that a psychiatrist is in fact a medical doctor.
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Post by Sherene Falconer on Nov 3, 2016 13:39:08 GMT -4
The stigma associated with mental illness can only be debunked as more articles like these are written and people become educated on the topic. I believe that because mental illness cannot be seen as something tangible, like a wound which we can monitor, most people have formed opinions about it. It is sad that even in an age as today where information is literally at the tips of our fingers, there are so many misinformation and insensitivities concerning mental illness.
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Post by Roy E Villafane on Nov 3, 2016 14:30:54 GMT -4
It is important to stop any stigma against psychiatrist and what happen in the psychiatry ward. But most important is that psychiatrist and future psychiatrist most not be ashamed of their profession. There must be more information available to the public on what a psychiatrist do and what really happen in the psychiatry ward. Because no one most life afraid of what can happen or what a psychiatrist will do to me if I go and seek help. Is time to stop the stigma in order to make the profession more approachable for people in need.
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Post by Yvette Mbangowah on Nov 3, 2016 16:26:15 GMT -4
This article further outlines the misconceptions surrounding mental disorders and their treatment. As a medical student, I have come to appreciate the determination it takes to choose a specialty. In school we are exposed to many different situations and as explained by the author of the article, he was moved by his desire to help people with mental disorders and to always be an advocate for them, to them and to the world. However, this is not always received as it is intended. The stigma surrounding mental disorders also come with the stigma surrounding their treatment. Being a patient advocate, even when the patient doesn't understand their condition can be difficult to explain to the world. Especially when people are quick to comment, respond and judge situations. Education on mental disorders, the field of psychiatry as well as the fact that the doctors and nurses and therapists and all those involved in the care of a psychiatric patient are advocating for the patient and trying to keep the patient and all other surrounding the patient safe. Sometimes, this involves the needles and the restraints and rooms with unmovable furniture, however, there is a lot of other aspects to inpatient care with counseling, psychotherapy, and interaction with others that eventually help the patient alongside their other pharmacotherapy.. The continuous education of society and patients that even when these extremes occur, the health care providers are still on their side.
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Post by chizhang on Nov 3, 2016 21:17:39 GMT -4
Many severely afflicted mental patients lack insight into their illness, so it is understandable for them to see a psychiatrist as the head honcho controlling his or her minions, the nurses and the orderlies, and a mental institution as the torture chamber. But that is largely because of their impaired sense in understanding their own condition. The apparent "torture" of these severely ill patients, and their negative reaction, once seen by anyone in the general population, will leave a negative portrayal of the psychiatrist putting his or her patients through such torture. It is more important to raise awareness in the public, that many mental illnesses feature patients' lack of insight and that their resisting help and treatment is simply a symptom of their condition. In other words, don't blame the shrink.
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Post by jacquelinep on Nov 4, 2016 14:34:23 GMT -4
The author brings up a topic I had not given much thought about. I’m aware of the stigma against mental health patients in general, but did not take into consideration that psychiatrists were included in this. I can’t imagine not being proud to say what kind of field I specialized in, especially after all the hard work it took to get there. It seems like there needs to be more awareness in general about all aspects of the field of psychiatry.
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Post by Daniel Atashsokhan on Nov 4, 2016 15:21:31 GMT -4
I found this article extremely interesting and I liked how it focused on the stigma that psychiatrists faced when explaining their profession to the public. It displayed a common quality that both psychiatrists and the patients they treat have shared together. That quality is the discrimination and assumption people ill advised of the field have on these individuals. It is troubling to think that a portion of the population criticizes the role of a psychiatrist when they cannot comprehend that they are doctors in the field of mental illness. This artcile is a template for the unsung heroes in the field of psychiatry and it is crucial to note that the role of a doctor should not categorized by a label but by the amount of help a doctor displays everyday at the wards. A psychiatrist does not need to explain themselves consistently to the public the reason why they like to do what they do for a living. It is more a matter of the fact that the public eye needs to accept that these individuals are taking on the role of a doctor and should be seen as equals amongst other professions of medicine.
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Post by Ashif Molla (MS3) on Nov 4, 2016 17:13:04 GMT -4
Before starting my psychiatry rotation, I too had preconceived notions and certain fearful views of what an inpatient psychiatric ward may seem like. We need to help alleviate the fears the public have towards psychiatry and mental illness, as a negative stigma against those people can prevent them from seeking proper medical treatment and feeling accepted by society at large. Even psychiatrists hesitate to tell other people, especially doctors, about their specialty which further exacerbates the negative stigma and discrimination towards the innocent patients suffering from mental disorders. Psychiatrists have a much more difficult job dealing with certain patients, especially when they lack insight to their own mental condition. Psychiatric patients and psychiatry in general are not something to be feared, but should be seen as an opportunity to improve current views and practices toward people suffering from mental diseases.
Ashif Molla (MS3)
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Post by Ely C. Andrade on Nov 4, 2016 22:54:45 GMT -4
Knowledge closes the gap of ignorance. When articles like these are posted it spreads awareness. We as medical school students/residents/doctors should take the time to talk to our family, friends and community about mental illness in efforts to makes the gap narrower. I know in Hispanic culture a lot of people struggle silently with mental illness but refuse to seek help because of its stigma. In 2004 I took part in a sociocultural study with Albert Einstein College of medicine in the Bronx. Its aim was to study how cultural norms brought from the motherland affect the hispanic community. During this study we found out that a large number of our participants had some undiagnosed mental illness. Once they were told, their faces were in disbelief, scared, anxious, embarrassed and the list of negative emotions go on. These hispanic americans were put on a huge waiting list for a psychiatrist & psychologist. We talk about the stigma that exist in english speaking patients in america, that sometimes we overlook that it also exist to a greater extent in americans that do not speak/understand english. Together we all have big challenges to decrease the stigma surrounding metal illness not only english speaking american but also to non english speaking americans.
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Post by Samantha Ehrlich on Nov 7, 2016 11:46:40 GMT -4
I greatly respect this young doctor’s opinion to take ownership of her profession and to be proud of the great work that she and all of her psychiatry colleagues do each day. It is easy for outsiders who are unaware of the intricacies of treating psychiatric patients to make judgments about things they may not understand or may be difficult to comprehend. However, the work that these doctors do helps keep patients and others safe every single day. Psychiatric illness remains taboo and difficult to talk about in many cultures and even in everyday life, but the fact is that it is something pervasive and affects a huge subset of our population. Psychiatrists like this young woman help to humanize the profession and help to explain the necessity of certain procedures that are less well known and accepted. The more dialogue and open conversation that is had between psychiatrists and patients as well as their families will help de-stigmatize the profession and what goes on in inpatient psychiatric wards.
Samantha Ehrlich (MS3)
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