The Power of Psychology in Modern Healthcare

Psychology is a mesmerizing aspect of healthcare. While physical health is still significantly important, psychology contributes hugely to the well-being of an individual as well. Sports, for instance, is 90% mental. Strictly speaking, it is the psychological mindset that we have for ourselves that has a hold on our performances. This is what I find the most interesting. This is why psychology as a discipline has gained an extremely high reputation in modern-day society. For us to be healthy, we inevitably have to care for our mental health as well.
In modern medicine, there is an emphasis on a holistic approach to healthcare. Holistic is characterised as the treatment of a person while taking into account both aspects of mental and physical health. At present, healthcare workers are made aware that a patient's psychological state can inadvertently impact their physical state as well. By acknowledging, the two, healthcare workers are more able to provide well-rounded care for the patient, resulting in an improved quality of life. The physical state of a person can vary from factors, like environmental influences which can change how a person is feeling daily. This can be as simple as the weather. There is no doubt that there is a direct link between our happiness and sunlight. Sunlight increases our serotonin levels which is the hormone that makes us happy. It is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and we are more likely to develop this order when the daylight hours are shorter in winter.
As well as external physical factors, things like lifestyle choices can also make a huge impact on our health in general. For instance, the use of alcohol and tobacco has been scientifically proven to be detrimental to both our physical and mental well-being. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant meaning that it slows down brain activity. While our brain is in charge of basic functions like making decisions or interfering with the environment, the brain also processes thoughts and emotions. This means excessive alcohol use will not produce a sense of euphoria and instead, due to chemical changes in the brain, it will lead to feelings such as anger and depression. This is why holistic care is of significance in modern medicine. It recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by balancing important factors of health like diet, nutrition, and state of mind.
Psychology has also significantly changed the interaction between the patient and provider on a daily basis in a clinical setting. To achieve positive health outcomes, much has to be taken into consideration. In the past (the 1950s), mental health was still extremely excluded which left people with mental health conditions with no choice. They were sent to asylums due to their “defective” nature. Fortunately, we have since then evolved to accept mental health seriously, as it can lead to several emotional and behavioral scars on an individual. This is why effective communication is vital for healthcare to be patient-centered. In modern-day society, mental health treatments are done in an empathetic environment in which the patient feels cared for. By actively listening and engaging, providers are given more information on the current state of the patient which will lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Furthermore, people suffering from mental health diseases like depression are also more prone to speech defects. This can lead to disruptions when the patient is examined. Modern medicine is known to adapt as doctors are aware that their patients need extended care to reduce anxiety and overall increase the satisfaction of the patient during treatment. This significantly helps bridge the gap between healthcare knowledge which is the expertise of the doctor and the understanding of the mental state of a patient. This means that doctors have to apply their knowledge in psychology to the mindset of their patients in order to fully recognise the problems they are facing.
The acknowledgment of mental health in modern-day society has inescapably made its way into our daily lives. People in the present are very aware of mental health diseases especially as it is now more common for friends and family members to be affected. However, it is still significantly important to promote mental health as it is directly proportional to a fulfilling life. 

There are currently many mental health trusts in England (275 including both public and private trusts) meaning that health care is very accessible. Despite this, it is still important to raise awareness of mental health as these efforts can potentially aid individuals who were not aware of their mental distress.
To promote mental health, many educational programs provide resources on the signs of mental health disorders. This can make a significant impact on people as they are likely to seek help earlier, leading to easier treatment. For instance, schools often have healthcare workers who come in to talk with students especially teenagers as they are seen as a vulnerable age group to mental health diseases. This has impacted the modern health care system as there is more demand in educating children on the basis of mental health to avoid potential mental instability in the future. There are also things like mental health awareness month which takes place every year in April. The purpose of this is to encourage people in need to seek support and also celebrate recovery from mental illnesses.
In short, our perspective on psychology has changed as a community, as now we are aware that our mental state is just as accessible as our physical state. It does not matter what type of health problems we face as they are treated with the same respect and expertise. I find this very reassuring as health carers will always have our backs.

 

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16 years old