Psychoeducation: A need of the time
Psychoeducation refers to the education offered to people who live with a psychological disturbance. Psychoeducational training involves patients with schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, psychotic illnesses, eating disorders and personality disorders, as well as patient training courses in the context of the treatment of physical illnesses. Psychoeducation is still a newer word in Bangladesh. It is a specific form of education aimed to help a mentally ill person and his/her family. It helps to learn how to deal with mental illness and thus it prevents relapse of the disease. When a family is going through a tough time with mentally ill member(s), psycho-education plays an crucial role to increase coping skills. The aim of psychoeducation is to encourage the return of mentally ill people into community. Social get-together, community work and social acceptance will boost the self esteem of such people. A major group of young generation (child and adolescents) in Bangladesh is suffering from Psychiatric problems. If early intervention is taken and specific management is given, we can reduce the future disease burden in our country. Psychoeducation through schools, hospitals and media can be worthy. General people have a common idea about psychiatric medicine that all sleeping pills are mainly used in psychiatric treatment. While educating the mentally ill patients as well as their family members, physician has to clarify that these medicine used to treat the disorder are not the popular sedatives and the aim of the treatment is not to put the mentally ill to sleep all the time so that they do not make any problems in others life. Psychoeducation helps the patient to learn about his/her disease process and help to manage the conditions. Once you know, you will never lose the grip.
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