Modern Psychiatry Focuses on Improving an Individual’s Quality of Life

Modern Psychiatry Focuses on Improving an Individual’s Quality of Life

New data released by the World Health Organization indicates that more than one billion people suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, conditions that lead to significant human and economic loss.

This is where the combined efforts of health organizations and mental-health providers come together, standing side by side to confront such challenges by delivering the highest standards of care to those in need, across different levels, settings, and perspectives.

Dr. Alaa Khamis Ali Alnaqbi, Consultant Psychiatrist and Acting Head of the Psychiatry Department at NMC Royal Khalifa Hospital, stated that the growing numbers have long prompted healthcare providers and decision-makers alike to seek the highest standards of service—tailored to diverse needs, varying severity of symptoms, and the wide-ranging effects of mental illness on individuals and communities.

She added that the Psychiatry Department at NMC provides comprehensive and integrated mental-health services based on the latest standardized studies and psychological research. Every patient visiting the department receives a detailed treatment plan designed according to their individual needs, case findings, and the nature of their symptoms.

Dr. Alnaqbi further explained that modern psychiatry focuses on improving an individual’s functional quality of life through three sequential methodologies: identifying symptoms, accurately diagnosing them, and developing a treatment plan that not only relies on medication but goes much deeper—enhancing the patient’s personal, social, and occupational skills, and helping them move from illness to recovery, empowerment, and improved cognitive, social, and functional wellbeing.

Modern psychiatry represents an integration of medical and psychological sciences, emphasizing holistic treatment that addresses physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments and offering hope to many.

Dr. Alnaqbi noted, “We are working diligently with decision-makers and senior management to develop mental-health services at NMC Royal Khalifa Hospital. Our vision extends beyond providing the most qualified physicians and the latest treatments and medications. In the coming period, we aim to expand with highly specialized mental-health services and introduce subspecialty clinics. The Psychiatry Department has long been—and continues to be—a trusted destination for patients and local authorities, serving as a key foundation in delivering mental-health services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”