Embracing Uncertainty: Redefining Psychiatry with Dr. Jim van Os
April 24, 2024
In a recent interview with psychiatrist Jim van Os in Vrij Nederland, the title of which reads, “We hebben het niet-weten meer omarmd” (We Have Embraced Not Knowing) van Os discusses his vision to reform psychiatric care (Falke, 2024). According to him, mental health issues are part of life; they are intrinsic to the human experience. He argues that, unlike other branches of medicine, psychiatry lacks a concrete understanding, which sets it apart.
The organization of psychiatric care varies from country to country, and despite periodic reforms, the desired results often need to be achieved. Van Os believes that psychiatrists must work together with their patients because consciousness is complex. He emphasizes the importance of a supportive relationship, someone available 24/7.
Van Os suggests that we often perceive the world through the lens of our own emotions, and this is what he calls "madness" or psychosis. He confirms what others, including myself, have been increasingly suggesting: that humans are more driven by emotion than reason, contrary to what was believed not so long ago.
In Curaçao, there is a growing awareness of mental health, particularly among students and seniors. The aging population continues to increase, and there is a significant gap in mental health care, mainly due to a lack of funding and a shortage of well-trained professionals. We are facing yet another significant challenge in this area.
Miguel Goede