CAN MENTAL ILLNESS BE "CURED"?
WellBeing|Issue 210
There are few experiences more daunting than being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The question that often follows is whether such a diagnosis can be "cured". Clinical psychologist and researcher Dr Alissa Knight attempts to answer this complex question and describe the different ways recovery can be measured.
Dr Alissa Knight
CAN MENTAL ILLNESS BE "CURED"?

For some people, hearing the words "you have a mental health disorder" can mean instant relief and a sense of validation. As a clinical psychologist, I have also sat opposite a great number of people who have been shocked and grief-stricken by their diagnosis. But regardless of whether a person initially accepts or rejects their diagnosis, one question that almost always follows is: "Will I have this for life?", or "Can I recover from it?"

Diagnosing a mental health disorder follows, more or less, an objective process, but the improvement that follows treatment is much harder to measure. The answer of whether a person can "recover" from a mental health disorder has sparked a level of controversy over the years within the scientific community. There are indeed conflicting views between psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and mental health researchers. Some argue it is entirely possible to recover, while others suggest it is not. Largely, this is due to differing views on the following topics:

Neurological versus psychological disorders 

Clinical recovery versus personal recovery 

Neurological versus psychological disorders

When answering the question of whether someone may have a mental health disorder for life or not, it is helpful to decipher between whether it is a disorder of the mind - "the province of psychiatry", or a disorder of the brain - "the province of neurology".

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 210 من WellBeing.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 210 من WellBeing.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WELLBEING مشاهدة الكل
YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION
WellBeing

YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION

Life is messy and we all make mistakes, but by embracing imperfection, we can begin to accept all parts of ourselves.

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 213
Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care
WellBeing

Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care

As a busy mum of a three-year-old and expecting another baby, finding time for self-care often feels like a luxury.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 213
Are you doom spending?
WellBeing

Are you doom spending?

If \"doom spending\" has become your go-to for coping with stress, you could be making withdrawals from not just your bank account, but your health too.

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 213
THE POWER OF music
WellBeing

THE POWER OF music

Most of us enjoy music. But science shows music is central to being human and its effect on us is far more astonishing and impactful than we realise. Music is fundamental to life.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 213
SYNTHETIC FOODS
WellBeing

SYNTHETIC FOODS

Synthetic, or genetically modified, fake meats and the like attempt to mimic real meat in both looks, taste and texture. But how much do we really know about the production process and how do they affect the environment and our bodies?

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 213
Embracing the power of nature
WellBeing

Embracing the power of nature

Menopause is more than just a biological change, it represents a significant life stage that can present numerous challenges - from hot flushes and mood swings to fatigue and sleepless nights.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 213
Jan Fran
WellBeing

Jan Fran

From a young age, Jan Fran's deep curiosity and keen interest in social issues sparked her journey into the world of journalism. As an accomplished journalist, media commentator and broadcaster, Fran's passion for storytelling has always been driven by a desire to explore, question and shed light on the world around her.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 213
Helping teen girls thrive
WellBeing

Helping teen girls thrive

Statistics reveal that many more teen girls are struggling with mental health issues. What's going on with them? More importantly, what can we do to help them flourish?

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 213
Your ageing eyes
WellBeing

Your ageing eyes

Your eyes work hard for you every waking minute. It is no surprise that how your eyes age will be determined by how you protect them. Eating the right foods can go along way towards ensuring that your eyes stay healthy for a lifetime.

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 213
The bottom line
WellBeing

The bottom line

During the Couid pandemic, we were shocked to see people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper and to see empty shelves that had once held roll after roll. The reasons behind the run for toilet paper during this time reflect the unique place that it holds in our psyche and are deeply rooted in our history.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 213