PSYCHIATRIC disorders are a cause of major disability and are on the increase, says South African Society of Psychiatrists president Dr Mvuyiso Talatala. Yet the treatment the state offers, and the cover offered by private medical schemes, leaves much to be desired."Major depressive disorder is causing major disability, and early diagnosis and treatment makes financial sense for any country, in addition to the benefits to the individuals treated, their families and the community," says Talatala.This problem is made more complex because, despite advances in psychiatry and psychology, there is still stigmatisation of patients and misunderstanding of psychiatric disorders, he says."That mental illness is still underfunded despite enough evidence that it makes business sense to treat it, is a clear sign of stigma. Mentally ill people suffer stigma from their families, the community and in their places of employment — where people with mental illness, especially depression, are not belie...
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