Many psychiatrists and psychologists believe that when it comes to treating the psychiatric patient, the first barrier to mental health treatment is a feeling of “insurability.” This is a common term used to describe the difficulty the person has in accepting the challenge of mental health treatment. One could liken this challenge to that of enduring a physical examination or a chest x-ray. The patient must first accept the fact that they have a disorder before they can begin to make treatment plans.
The patient may initially express fears about their disorder: and their physicians will then take steps to help them gain a sense of control over their illness. If they respond appropriately to treatment, there will be a reduction in symptoms, and this will provide the opportunity for mental improvement. If not, it will then become increasingly difficult to manage the disorder and eventually will require the services of a mental health professional. This challenge is also present if the disorder is in the acute stage.
Another barrier to mental health care: is that many people with mental illnesses are not receptive to modern treatments, such as those provided through inpatient treatment centers and specialty clinics. Even though there are many psychiatrists and psychologists that work in these health care settings, they tend to be trained to focus on the more severe cases. They are less likely to consider the possibility that a patient who just needs some extra help may also have an addiction problem that needs attention. There is a need for professionals who are well trained in both the mental health fields and addiction fields, as more people are struggling with both conditions. If these professionals are unable to adequately treat the needs of those who do suffer from either condition, it can result in a worsening of both conditions.
A third barrier to mental health treatment occurs: when there is not an open dialogue between the psychiatrist or psychologist and the individual suffering from the mental disorder. This closed communication line is one of the most important factors in ensuring that help is received and that help is given when it is needed. When there is no open dialogue, people may not feel comfortable discussing their issues with the psychiatrist or psychologist and may refuse to partake in further mental health treatment or therapy. For this reason, it is vitally important that mental health professionals who work in these health care settings to develop a strong relationship with their patients. In order to build such a strong relationship, mental health professionals need to regularly consult with their patients and be open and willing to help them gain greater insight into their lives and their mental health.
Another barrier to mental health care: occurs when mental health professionals attempt to treat individuals who already have serious mental disorders. There are a number of reasons why individuals with mental disorders may resist treatment. The first is that many people with mental disorders still believe that their disorder is not affecting their lives and is not preventing them from leading normal lives. Individuals with mental disorders often resist treatment because they fear the mental health professionals will only label them as having a disorder if they don’t take medication or agree to therapy. Unfortunately, this often means that these individuals are labeled as mentally ill for the remainder of their life, which can lead to further difficulties down the road.
However, this same barrier: to mental health care also exists in mental health care for children. Children often resist treatment for various reasons, but many times it has to do with a lack of information. In order for mental health professionals to provide quality treatment for children, it is important for these professionals to gain the trust of parents and other caretakers of children suffering from mental disorders. Sometimes it can be difficult to gain the trust of parents, but when it comes to proper mental health care for your child, offering information is often a good way to begin the process. If mental health professionals continue to offer information about the condition of the child’s disorder and the medications that have been prescribed, chances are that parents will eventually be more willing to allow their child to undergo treatment.
