Do psychiatric patients know that they are mentally ill?
Aug 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Whether patients with mental illness are aware of their condition primarily depends on the strength of their insight. Patients with insight are more likely to proactively seek and accept treatment, whereas those lacking insight may require intervention from family members, friends, or professionals to initiate the treatment process. Enhancing a patient's insight is one of the key aspects in promoting recovery during the treatment of mental illness.
In general, whether psychiatric patients are aware of their mental illness depends on the severity of their condition. If any discomfort occurs, seek medical attention promptly. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Patients with mild symptoms may be aware they have a mental illness, especially when receiving medication treatment.
For example, patients with anxiety disorders or mild to moderate depression, or those whose conditions have stabilized after medication, often retain relatively intact insight and can recognize that they suffer from a mental disorder. In such cases, the patient is aware of having a mental illness.
2. In severe depression leading to stupor, patients may not realize they have a mental illness.
For instance, in patients with severe depression who develop depressive stupor, or experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, or delusions, insight may be impaired, making them unable to recognize their own illness. In these cases, the patient is unaware of having a mental illness.
At night, monitor the patient’s sleep carefully and avoid letting them sleep with their head covered, to prevent accidents.
