Hargadon, Kevin

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The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 35 | Number 3 Article 12August 1968The Family Doctor and Mental HealthKevin HargadonFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqRecommended CitationHargadon, Kevin (1968) "The Family Doctor and Mental Health," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 35 : No. 3 , Article 12.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol35/iss3/12Examinations were performed without too· much difficulty even in the older groups of Sisters. With gentle . technique, virginal speculum and adequate lubricant, most of the cirvices were visualized. In the few in whom it was impossible to insert any type of speculum, a cotton-tipped applicator and rectal examination . yielded as much information as needed for a screenit:lg procedure. Embarrassment was negligible and these sisters were the most cooperative . and grateful patients in our program. All of us ' who are practicing physicians realize the e~se with which a small lesion can be treated ~nd in most instances, cured. Not only is it most frustrating to care for an advanced lesion , but we must realize the financial and personnel hardships . to these religious communities. Our statistics indicate that advanced lesions were found in the older patients. But it is this group from which the administrators, the Mother Superiors, the experienced teachers and the backbone -of the communities come. It is indeed unfortunate that so much 212 time and so much effort be e: Jended in formation and then wa: ed by neglected lesions, for a great 1eal of time and money has gone 1to the education and formation 1 Sisters. Yet, unfortunate!: lesions are most prevalent at when they are at their most p; stage and ready to l• administrative responsibilitie: communities. RECOMMENDATIONS: Our program has proved th this era of modern techniqw. the easy availability of pro.grams, there exists a medically neglected female little education and en co · agement these Religious will submit 1 periodic health examinations. h early diagnosis and adequate treai .ent most of the Sisters will be able t continue in their productive cape :ties . and religious works. The loss of ;1ch Sister is an immeasurable los~ to ~ach community, therefore , !~ ·r health should be safeguarded by e . ~ ry means possible. Linacre QuarterlY The Family Doctor and Mental Health Kevin Hargadon, F.S.C. public today is being gly exposed to advertisements the importance of a regular check-up. In no uncertain it is being told that early of disease can forestall and eliminate the severely ••"··--••·~·~-·~ and deadly effects of that has been allowed to go on . ·We are all aware of such red campaigns now being out in the areas of cancer s and arthritis. Except for a~ nal voice raised in protest 1967), there is general of this increasing role of medicine in America. Would like to suggest that this n t i ve, rather than merely approach should also be to the psychological field. In I would suggest that our medical doctors could do in this area. For many reasons it be advantageous if a regular as well as physical were ' recommended by to t~eir patients as a routine Kevin Hargadon is a clinical r:no'IOi'ist residing . at De La Salle Washington, D.C. He is completing his dissertation Ph.D., while also engaged in young Christian Brothers studying at Catholic . Articles written by him Cbe~n published in the University hicago School Review, the Catholic Guidance Journal La Sallian Digest.) matter. In this way any unhealthy aspects of a person's physical or emotional well-being would have the advantages of early detection and possible prompt attention. It would seem at first thought that a recommendation for a regular psychological check-up should be the task of the psychiatric or psychological professions rather than that of the regular medical practitioner. Perhaps it should. Both professions undoubtedly would support the early detection of emotional disturbance. However, this does not negate the fact that the regular family doctor is in a very advantageous position for making this recommendation. He usually has the faith and confidence of his patients. Realistically it must be admitted that _there is still much fear and suspicion surrounding the psychiatric and psychological professions. There is a great deal of stigma and misunderstanding associated with ·a visit to a "headshrinker." A recommendation from a trusted doctor would help to counteract this ,' especially if this recommendation were a matter of routine procedure. Such a routine recommendation would not unduly raise the fears of the patient, although some anxiety will surely be called into play. Not only is the regular family doctor in a good position to make this recommendation , but he is also in a good position to appreciate the role that emotional problems play in either 213 . . ~ causing or aggravating physical ills. It is no secret" that .regular family doctors have patients whose ills are obviously mainly emotional rather than physical. One hears this from regular practitioners, reads about it in an occasional article (Shearer, 1967), and studies it in psychosomatic medicine (Alexander, 1950). Some patients come to the doctor inore to become involved with another human being and to be cared, for, than to get a specific medication. Were a routine psychological check-up to be recommended, s1:1ch a clientele might be forestalled or the roots rather than the symptoms of their ·problems might be attacked. It would certainly relieve many guilt feelings aroused in a physician who prescribes a drug although he realizes the patient is, for example , . a hypochondriac and needs a different form of treatment. This suggestion in the abstract is not without difficulties in the practical order. A fear on the part of the general public about the activities of psychologists or psychiatrists is not confined only to the non-medical segment of the population. There are certainly some doctors who have their own fears and suspicions. To suggest to them that · they refer their patients for a routine psychological check-up would receive little welcome and perhaps active resistance. Unfortunately, even in areas where support should be forthcoming, little pockets of resistance still persist. But even were all medical resistance to disappear, many problems would still have to be dealt with. For example, where would all the personnel come from? The number of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists is woefully small, and already overwhelmed by" the amount of 214 remedial work that needs tc Were yearly ex~minations to to this, especially if treatn then found necessary, it literally impossible to catch · ). Both a crash prog.ram to t r: diagnosticians and a plannec start with the very young v .. to be initiated. It is not too to envision this kind ol working in conjunction government's present community mental health ~ nters. II might even lead eventua ~. comprehensive health cer. :r where soma and psyche are attended together. Perhaps it ould be recognition that it is foil ~ artificially divide an orgai functions totally, soma anl one. Difficulties still abound. examine and treat? professions have deep disag :ements in this area. Psychiatrists ,,,;d clinic~ psychologists are present! trying to clarify legislation on thi!> point, not without a good deal of in-. ,ghting and decidedly unprofessional · ~~~havior in the process. Hopefully tf- .~ question will be settled before the ;,;_;eds ofthe public force a precipitous v:; cision. What would a P'· y chological examination consist of : While the exact content and method of approach would be left to the individual professional, it would cert ainly touch on the main areas of functioning. These would includ~ the ability to handle work and leisure time, as well as the way in which a person relates towards other people. The latter would . include the abili ty . to ~ intimate with friends and famdy, an, the ability to relate sexua lly _to on~ spouse. One would inquire mto 1 Linacre QuarterlY that fantasy life occupies in the of the patient, and the ways in handling some major like anger · and fear. Values defenses used and areas would be evaluated with a · to seeing how they help or hinder functioning. Small children well be evaluated in conjunction an examination of the parents, a of "family functioning" tion. There would obviously tages in seeing the same st or psychiatrist each year, a competent one had been upon. Equally obvious is the for more communication the regular doctor and the st or psychologist. yet, psychiatry and psychology their infancy. They do not have answers. Yet even at this stage they can alert the public to some danger signals in emotfonal development, if only early and regular examination is encouraged. When we consider the enormous percentage of hospital . beds occupied by mental patients, it is obvious that mental health is one of the nation's most pressing problems. It is high time that a campaign for early detection and prevention began to take hold. Such a campaign can use the support and recommendation of the regular family doctors. REFERENCES Alexander, F., Psychosomatic Medicine. New York: W. W. Norton, 1950 Halberstam, M. Patients who make the doctor feverish. New York Times Magazine. February 5, 1967. Shearer, L. It's all in your mind. Parade. March 12, 1967. - ., 215 • ~ 'j • ' • • • I '•·· ... . . : I • t ' • ', ~ • t I 1 ·.·, . . :;: · •.· :··;: :;:~ ' • ' ·. · . f l f . ,.. ':;p ?~;:;:,, 

The Family Doctor and Mental Health

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