Do you still remember the movie "One Thought Ignorance"?
For the author, the most profound scene was when the psychiatrist said in a mechanical tone: "Have you thought about suicide recently?"
This scene of course leads to the resource problem of insufficient ratio of psychiatrists to patients in public hospitals and too many monks.
On the other hand, when a psychiatric patient comes to see a doctor, is the role of the psychiatrist just a "drug dispensing machine"?
Written by: He Hanning, Associate Consultant Physician, School of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital
Wanxian is a middle-aged lady who began to suffer from typical depression symptoms about two years ago. After being referred by a social worker, she came to the psychiatric clinic to see a doctor.
Wanxian, like most mothers, has been fighting with her daughter at home every day since the epidemic began, and the parent-child relationship has gradually become tense.
After medication, her mood has greatly improved.
Today she came back for a follow-up visit. Apart from lightly talking about her medication, she spent most of her time talking about the trivial matters of her life with her daughter and her feelings.
Finally, she added: "Dr. He, every time I come here for follow-up consultations, I feel relieved and feel more relaxed after talking to you. It's amazing!"
Of course, Dr. Ho does not have a "magic potion of confusion" that can make people forget their worries instantly.
In fact, as long as we open our ears to listen carefully and feel what others are thinking, we can achieve a "Containment" effect.
British psychoanalyst Wilfred R. Bion put forward the concept of "Container and Contained" (Container-contained). You will feel understood, listened to, and cared for, and you will feel a sense of comfort.
Similarly, the doctor is like a container (Container), containing the patient's depression, worry, guilt, anger and helping the other party to sort out and digest them, and the patient will feel "being contained".
Psychiatrists still have many "uses" in outpatient clinics, and I will share them with you when I have the opportunity!
"Hong Kong 01" "01 Clinic" cooperates with the School of Mental Health of Castle Peak Hospital, and publishes a column written by medical staff every other Tuesday.
"Cheng" means to let the water stand still, let the matter in the water settle, and then become clear.
I wish you to savor every little story quietly, see the details, understand your own and other people's hearts, and see things and emotions more clearly.
See clearly and know how to cherish. I hope this column can soothe your emotional turmoil and enjoy the peace and happiness of the years.
I hope you will share this experience with the people you care about, so that you can have another partner on the road to a better life.
Story details have been redacted to protect patient privacy.
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