Introduction
Psychiatry seeks to understand the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence our mental health. This is in line with humanity's desire to understand how human behaviour, emotions, and mental processes are involved. Psychiatry, as both a medical discipline and a humanitarian endeavour, struggle with the complexities of mental suffering while striving to uphold dignity, autonomy, and social justice (1). In addition to bearing on ethics, empathy, and cultural awareness, the connection of psychiatry and humanity is a deep and dynamic interaction that raises important questions about what it means to care for the human mind and spirit (2).
We explore the past aspects in this review paper before diving into the dynamic interrelationship between psychiatry and humanity (19).
Historical Tensions and Progress
Since the Dark ages, the doctors practice psychiatry by using medical and surgical interventions that led to institutionalization, lobotomies, and coercive treatments that violated human rights (3)(24).
There were clear stigma, social fears and misunderstandings of mental illness among public (4). Philippe Pinel (5) and Dorothea Dix (7) were pioneers of reform and humanization movement like the Moral Treatment Movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, which prioritized compassion over restraint in mental health facilities (6)(8).
With Deinstitutionalization era (8) appeared in 20th century, the inpatient psychiatric care shifted from asylums to community-based models, for continuity of care but still there were gaps persist in the support system. In recent years, our new modern psychiatry profession has adopted the recovery-oriented Care model, which places a higher priority on patient autonomy, empowerment and the holistic health and well-being approached are employed instead of symptom control approaches (9).
Humanities, Psychiatry, and Compassion
Fundamentally, psychiatry requires empathy and compassion for people dealing and struggling with mental health concerns (10, 11). This represents the more universal human ideals of helping others and easing mental pain. Additionally, psychiatry is essential in lowering the stigma associated with mental illness (4). It creates a more compassionate and inclusive society by raising awareness and understanding among the public.
Psychiatry stresses the value of treating the whole person, not just their symptoms, from the holistic approach to the well-being recovery model (10). This is consistent with humanity's understanding of the interrelationship of social, emotional, and physical health. With obvious ethical considerations, psychiatry frequently deals with moral dilemma including informed consent, patient autonomy (12), and the application of therapies like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or psychotropic drugs (11, 13). These debates reflect larger human problems on rights, morality, and achieving a balance between social and individual needs rather than demands.
In terms of cultural sensitivity (14, 15), psychiatrists are becoming more aware of how crucial cultural context is to mental health. Providing good care that reflects the wide range of humanity requires an understanding of the various cultural perspectives on mental illness.
When it comes to advocating for vulnerable populations, psychiatry frequently supports underrepresented groups, including those who are homeless, addicted, or traumatized. This mirrors humanity's broader efforts to address inequality and social justice (16).
Mental health has long been a theme in art (21), literature (22), and philosophy (23), reflecting humanity's fascination with the mind. Psychiatry contributes to this dialogue by offering scientific insights into conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Let us now discuss the ongoing dynamic interaction between humanity and psychiatry.
The Dynamic relationship
There are numerous factors that influence this reciprocal interaction. First, as a humanistic discipline, psychiatry is founded on compassion and aims to alleviate mental suffering.
It deals extensively with subjective experience, including feelings, thoughts, anxieties, and traumas that shape human life and experience, in contrast to other medical specialties (24). By establishing a therapeutic alliance, the psychiatrist-patient interaction emphasizes the humanity of both the patient and the clinician and is based on collaboration, empathy, and trust.
Second, in the case of the ethical dual dilemmas in psychiatry (20), such as the need to balance of patient autonomy with interventions for severe disease (such involuntary hospitalization), stigma, prejudice, and cultural sensitivity (18, 19). Nowadays psychiatry combats those ethical challenges through advocacy and education. Also, discrimination and stigma in mental illness is still stigmatized and unsolved, which frequently dehumanizes people. However, psychiatry currently fights these moral dilemmas through advocacy, education and psychiatrists are becoming more involved in the policy-making process.
However, cultural sensitivity refers to how cultural norms influence an individual's mental health, and psychiatry must integrate different worldviews and steer clear of cultural bias (e.g., spiritual, communal, or non-Western healing practices (18).
Third, social justice and psychiatry, which include global mental health, trauma-informed care, and health disparities (25, 26). Psychiatry must address and overcome the institutional barriers that marginalized groups such as racial minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and refugees that face in accessing care due to health disparities. Adapting therapies to each patient's unique biology while respecting cultural background and personal beliefs.
Fourth, Trauma-Informed Care advocates for patients' systemic change by acknowledging how social traumas (such as poverty, racism, and violence) impact mental health (27, 28). Additionally, by filling the gaps in low-resource environments, we tackle the global mental health concerns that are often neglected during emergencies like war or natural catastrophes (29). Also in crisis situations, including humanitarian crises, psychiatrists treat trauma in disaster areas, refugee camps, and conflict zones, frequently with limited resources and little funding. An example, psychiatry's involvement in resolving collective grief, isolation, and anxiety while advocating for vulnerable people has been brought to light by COVID-19.
Fifth, by highlighting the potential for rehabilitation and an enjoyable life, psychiatry gives hope to those with mental illness and their family. This is consistent with humanity's long-held belief in patients' capacity for growth and resilience.
Finally looking at Technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI), telepsychiatry, and neuroimaging offer new tools and hope for better personal management, but if they are not used ethically, they run the risk of depersonalizing care.
Conclusion and insights
Psychiatry is closely related to humanity since it tackles more profound social and mental health concerns while attempting to comprehend, treat, and empower individuals. It displays both the difficulties and the beauties of human life. To heal minds while managing the moral, cultural, and social complexities of human existence, psychiatry must be at the intersection of science and humanity. Upholding each person's dignity, pursuing justice, and bridging the gap between medical knowledge and the uniqueness of each person's experience are its greatest challenges and opportunities. As the field progresses, humanity must remain its light and protector.
