Psychiatry

Medicine for the mind

According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, psychiatry is “the medical specialty concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, behavioural, and personality disorders. As a medical specialty, psychiatry is based on the premise that biological causes are at the root of mental and emotional problems, although some psychiatrists do not adhere exclusively to the biological model and additionally treat problems as social and behavioural ills.” Psychiatry stands at the intersection of medicine and the human mind, offering a scientifically grounded approach to understanding and healing mental health conditions. Rooted in decades of clinical research and neuroscience, it seeks to diagnose and treat mental illness, empowering individuals by pairing personalised care with evidence-based interventions. Where resources and training permit, psychiatric help may include psychotherapy but does not always do so. Pharmaceutical treatments are a familiar part of psychiatric practice and are prescribed where appropriate. Far from being a last resort, medications can play a transformative role in restoring balance to brain chemistry, and lifting burdens that once seemed insurmountable. In this way, psychiatry is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about helping people reclaim their lives, dignity, and hope. If humanity is to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health, it is necessary that the role of physiological and medical factors in psychopathology is examined and wherever possible understood. As a medical specialisation, psychiatry makes an indispensable contribution in this respect.