Psychiatry
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| - | {{GFDL}} | + | '''Psychiatry''' is a medical specialty dealing with the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of the [[mind]] and [[mental illness]]. Its primary goal is the relief of mental suffering associated with symptoms of disorder and improvement of mental well-being. This may be based in hospitals or in the community and patients may be voluntary or involuntary. Psychiatry adopts a medical approach but may take into account biological, psychological, and social/cultural perspectives. Treatment by medication in conjunction with various forms of [[psychotherapy]] may be undertaken and has proved most effective in successful treatment. The word 'psychiatry' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] for "healer of the spirit" (ψυχ- (spirit) + ιατρος (physician)). |
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| + | <!-- The following sentence has been the subject to extended debate. Do not make changes to it without first obtaining consensus on Talk:Psychiatry. -->Most psychiatric illnesses cannot currently be cured<!-- end delete warning -->, although recovery may occur. While some have short time courses and only minor symptoms, many are [[Chronic (medicine)|chronic]] conditions which can have a significant impact on a patients' quality of life and even life expectancy, and as such may be thought to require long-term or life-long treatment. Effectiveness of treatment for any given condition is also variable from individual to individual.{{GFDL}} | ||
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Psychiatry is a medical specialty dealing with the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of the mind and mental illness. Its primary goal is the relief of mental suffering associated with symptoms of disorder and improvement of mental well-being. This may be based in hospitals or in the community and patients may be voluntary or involuntary. Psychiatry adopts a medical approach but may take into account biological, psychological, and social/cultural perspectives. Treatment by medication in conjunction with various forms of psychotherapy may be undertaken and has proved most effective in successful treatment. The word 'psychiatry' derives from the Greek for "healer of the spirit" (ψυχ- (spirit) + ιατρος (physician)).
Most psychiatric illnesses cannot currently be cured, although recovery may occur. While some have short time courses and only minor symptoms, many are chronic conditions which can have a significant impact on a patients' quality of life and even life expectancy, and as such may be thought to require long-term or life-long treatment. Effectiveness of treatment for any given condition is also variable from individual to individual.
