In the recent past, prevalent perception on some severe mental disorders was dismal, and is considered to be marked by lifelong deterioration. Schizophrenia, for example, was seen by health professionals as having a downhill course. Emil Kraepelin, a leading psychiatrist in the beginning of 20th century, judged schizophrenia as hopeless that he named the disorder as “dementia praecox” or premature dementia. His writings had painted a negative concept of severe mental illness, followed by others influenced by his perceptions which were written in textbooks for decades. A turnabout in attitudes came, more as a result of the consumer movement and self-help activities. It produced a more positive attitude and self-perception, backed by recent scientific research, which supported a more optimistic view of the possibility of recovery (See “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General”).

Different options for treatment may include psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, other supportive measures, and may even require lifestyle adjustments or a combination of these. It has often observed that individuals who suffer from this illness seek treatment only when symptoms have become severe to function normally. However, early treatment is best and most effective when symptoms are still mild or moderate.

The diagnostic process is complex and largely subjective. It requires the careful skills of a gifted medical detective, making careful and detailed assessment of patient histories and current and past symptoms.

A number of treatment procedures for mental illness can be categorized as either somatic or psychotherapeutic. Treatment under somatic category includes the administration of drugs and electro convulsion in therapy. Psychotherapeutic treatments on the other hand incorporate individual, group, or family and even marital psychotherapy. Behavior therapy modification such as relaxation training or exposure therapy is also included. Most professional opinion would suggest that the major treatment of mental health disorders should involve both drugs and psychotherapy in order to achieve effective treatment, instead of either method used alone.

Professionals involve in the treatment of mental health does not fall on psychiatrists alone but includes clinical psychologists social workers, nurses, and some pastoral counselors. The majority of mental health care professionals practice psychotherapy in addressing persons with mental disorder.

There are has also been keen interest in developing the method of involving clients and their caregivers in the aspect of treatment for mental illness. Tensions may arise at the initial implementation of patient-family involvement. There are various bases on the influences on this approach such as the idea that treatment comes as a response to recognition of mental illness as having psychological and social dimensions, and the first-hand experience from clients. Goal of treatment is to enable the person to make appropriate choices and have control over their daily lives. Treatment of mental health problems are no longer exclusively confined within the walls of psychiatric hospitals and other institutions.

It is recognized that there are social dimensions to psychiatric treatment as well as psychiatric dimensions to the social pathology of mental illness. The coordination between patients and their caregivers is particularly important in trying to coordinate treatment and support which covers health and social care. But how collaboration and coordination will be taken is subject to different interpretations by different professionals. Medical practitioners might interpret collaboration as taking place with co professionals while nonmedical practitioners would take it to mean coordination with nonprofessionals. Collaboration must be defined clearly; otherwise confusion would come in its implementation. Success has been found in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia upon the coordination between health and social care, the roles of families and wider social networks. In order to satisfy the needs of patients, it is imperative to go beyond medical symptoms but must also recognize that such patients have a variety of needs that must also be met (C. Truman. “The Autonomy of Professionals and the Involvement of Patients and Families”).

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