Consensus Statement On

All known medical diseases vary both in severity and duration. While early diagnosis and prompt treatment are always essential, the vast majority of diseases are nevertheless chronic in their manifestations. This chronicity requires not only initial treatment but long-term management. The purpose of all long-term medical management is to minimize the current and future impact of the disease on the person's life and to maximize the quality of life including that of family and friends. The goal is for the patients to reach their highest level of normal independent functioning. The mental illnesses do not differ in these respects. Nevertheless, there are important differences which must be considered such as role function. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) recognizes that mental illness, by its very nature, impacts not only on cognitive, affective, and personality factors but also on many important role functions. In many societies, the major adult roles are work and reproduction. Even mild psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and phobic disorders can affect either or both of these vital role functions. It is essential, therefore, that psychiatric assessment and treatment includes the areas of work and socialization. As in all diseases, an important additional goal of treatment is for the patient to maintain a healthy self-image.