Biopsychosocial Approach for Improving the Quality Life of Persons with Mental Illness: A Case Report from India

Abstract

The quality of life of a person with psychiatric disability is often determined by illness outcomes, personal journey of recovery, coping with the illness, family support, and successful integration into the community. Biopsychosocial factors either hamper or improve the quality of life of a person with psychiatric disability. To depict the usefulness of the biopsychosocial approach of assessment and intervention in improving the quality of life of a patient with mental illness in India. Case study method using the Biopsychosocial approach. Biopsychosocial approach of assessment and intervention helped in understanding the medical and psychosocial circumstances existing in the patient and his family. This helped in providing appropriate interventions such as psychoeducation about the illness, managing patient’s problematic behaviour, improving patient’s functionality, and ensuring regularity in follow up thus eventuating enhanced quality of life. Mental health professionals can use the biopsychosocial approach of assessment and intervention to gain a comprehensive understanding of the patient and his/her community needs and provide appropriate interventions to help improve the quality of life of a patient suffering from psychiatric disability.