Abstract

Psychiatric aid has undergone major changes in recent years. The number of patients referred for compulsory treatment has decreased and management is aimed at achieving confidential cooperation with the patient. The share of inpatient treatment has diminished and main focus is placed on outpatient care. Proceeding from this, society has to acquire a more tolerant attitude to persons with psychiatric problems, supporting them in adaptation in community. Psychiatric patients may cause serious problems to their fellow citizens and whole society. Such persons are predisposed to suicidal behavior, alcohol and drug abuse, vagrant lifestyle and crime. At present, there exists no legal basis in Estonia for subjecting disease-ignoring persons to compulsory treatment. In management of persons with psychiatric problems, of crucial importance, besides medication, is rehabilitation which should be directed to minimizing of the person’s inherent or disease-related psychological disabilities in order to achieve his or her optimal adaptation in society. Management of persons with psychiatric disorders represents teamwork engaging, besides the physician, also social workers and sociologists. A prerequisite for successful teamwork is availability of adequate resources.