Impact of dualism on the perception of treatability in psychiatry

Abstract

Background: A false division between mental and physical disorders is supported by dualism, contributing to mental health stigma. There is a widespread misconception about the prognosis and treatment options for psychiatric diseases. This is despite data supporting the effectiveness of psychiatric treatments for a variety of illnesses that have been proven by meta-analysis. In general, the efficacy of drugs used to treat physical problems and psychiatric disorders is comparable. Method(s): In this article, experts from a variety of fields-including psychiatry, primary care, and general medicine-highlight how the paradigms based on dualism play a crucial role in maintaining the myths regarding psychiatric disorders, particularly those that relate to their treatability in comparison to physical health conditions. Result(s): There are numerous similarities between mental and physical problems in terms of the causes and treatment. Healthcare, like other complex human systems, is rife with uncertainty. In actuality, the severity and treatability of both physical and mental diseases range widely. Treatment response varies from person to person. There are certain physical and mental health disorders that respond well to treatment, some that do not, and some for which there are currently no effective cures. Conclusion(s): We believe that dualism, which promotes the separation of mental and physical phenomena, is the core driving force behind these misconceptions. These fallacies, in our opinion, are primarily motivated by dualism, which advocates the division of mental from physical occurrences. Copyright © 2025 Latoo, Mistry, Alabdulla, Jan, Shariful Islam, Iqbal, et al.