Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei
Hayeshua Hospital
Our sponsor has asked me to speak on a subject that is
somewhat sensitive. Psychiatric illnesses are much more
common than you think and are almost always
misunderstood. Psychiatric illnesses are not just street
people who are dirty and speaking to themselves
(although these people need our prayers as well) but
extend to some of the most affluent in our society. Some
can be treated with a person with a good ear or
psychological therapy, some may require medications,
some are incurable.
Schizophrenia and related diseases are the most serious
and difficult to treat. Commonly called a nervous
breakdown, this disease is most common in males in its
chronic form. These people may hear voices, feel that
their thoughts are being broadcasted, and they may feel
that they are being given orders to do unusual things.
Occasionally, they have depression mixed in which may
make them tend towards hurting themselves, or paranoia
which makes them suspicious of people -- they fear
people are out to get them. They may have delusions.
This disease can be treated with some of the new
medications, and in people with good functioning before
the onset, the results are quite good. Those who have
this disease and also have personality problems are less
likely to do well.
Depression is very common and we have discussed this in
the past. It is characterized by mood changes, sleep and
eating extremes (such as not sleeping or sleeping too
much) and a feeling of the lack of worth of one's life.
It is very common after childbirth, but this disease can
affect anyone and especially the elderly. It is not
grief -- grief is for a shorter period of time.
These people can be at danger of hurting themselves, but
if they take their medication, they usually live normal
lives and are indistinguishable from the normal
population. Newer drugs are now safer and with few if
any side effects, and our sponsor's one is Seroxat. I
believe this is a very effective treatment for this
disorder without affecting one's functioning.
A related disorder is the bipolar disorder or manic
depression characterized as mood swings between
depression and mania, which is uncontrolled happiness,
money spending, and talking a lot. This disorder
responds well to lithium compounds.
We'll speak more on this subject next week, but please
keep in mind these important points. Psychiatric illness
is common and does not mean you are "nuts." These people
need to prayed for their recovery, they need to be
accepted as normal individuals once they have been
treated, and all must know that treatment is available.
Write me in care of the Yated.
