Although a huge number of persons in the country are suffering from different levels of mental illness, very few people are aware of curing it through proper medical treatment. Ignorance, the fear and shame of being labelled a mad are the reasons behind no treatment and often mistreatment of the mentally ill people in the country.
About 16.8 percent or an estimated 2.25 crore of the country’s adult population are suffering from 13 types of mental disorders, according to a latest government survey report. There is even stigma towards doctors pursuing an interest in psychiatry, which is not adequately stimulated.
The report also revealed that about 13.6 percent of the country’s children, aged between 7 and 17, are suffering from eight types of mental disorders. Experts say that psychotherapy is not an option for the psychiatric patient. When psychotherapy is applied, one can expect 100% wellness.
Earlier, Health Department Secretary Asadul Islam said there are only 250 psychiatrists for the country's 16 million people. This number is quite insufficient. Concerned health experts say there is a shortage of mental health specialists in the country right now. Current circumstances requires at least 500 psychiatrists. In the next 20 years, a thousand more will be needed. Experts say mental problems are increasing mainly due to increasing complicacies in life, social unrest and frustration created form them.
Professor of National Mental Health Institute Md Tajul Islam said some mental illness can be cured by appropriate drugs but some require psychotherapy or counseling. "We give psychotherapy or counseling because all mental illness cannot be changed with drugs.”
Mental patients have many behavioral problems and mental problems. They need psychotherapy or counseling to change their behavioral mind, emotions, thoughts, attitudes, he added. Associate Professor of National Mental Health Institute Dr Md Helal Uddin said, "Counseling is a part of mental health care. Most of those who have mental illness, but not everyone, take medication for mental illness. Some take medication as well as counseling.”
Professor MA Salam, a former teacher of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said, “Counseling is one kind of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy that includes behavioral therapy is counseling. Some diseases require counseling or behavioral therapy, such as anxiety, disorder, phobia or fear.”
In addition to medication, counseling or psychotherapy or behavior therapy is required. It is understood by none other than psychiatrists. Only a psychiatrist can understand exactly what a patient needs, he added.