07 Mar Translation of mental disorders

One issue that currently deserves much attention is the field of mental disorders. It is becoming increasingly urgent to increase the dissemination of information, visibility and awareness of this type of illness. Translation of mental disorders is one of the keys to its dissemination.

According to the latest WHO studies, in 2019, one in eight people in the world suffered from a mental disorder. Furthermore, research estimates that some of these disorders have increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although prevention and treatment options exist, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care. This is why the dissemination of information and translation of mental disorders is so crucial. In order to make a good translation of mental disorders, knowledge of terminology is essential. Here we tell you about some of the issues that a medical translator should consider.

FIRST OF ALL: WHAT IS PSYCHIATRY?

Psychiatry is the science that studies and treats mental illnesses and aims to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate disorders of the mind. Mental illness is often characterised by a combination of disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others.

MOST COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS THAT MAY NEED A TRANSLATION

There is a wide variety of mental disorders, each with different manifestations. They are generally grouped into five clusters: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders. These groups more specifically include other disorders:

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive fear, worry and related behavioural disorders. Among these disorders, we find others that are associated with it: panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, phobic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mood disorders

Mood disorders are mental health disorders characterized by emotional disturbances, consisting of prolonged periods of excessive sadness (depression), excessive euphoria (mania), or both. Depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are two disorders generally associated with mood disorders.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are characterised by eating disturbances and preoccupation with food, as well as problems with body weight and shape. The symptoms or behaviours result in significant health risks or harm, significant distress or significant functional disability. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder are those included in this group.

Psychotic disorders

Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal ideas and perceptions. People with psychosis lose touch with reality. Psychotic disorders cover delusional disorder and schizophrenia.

Personality disorders

A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which a person has a marked and unhealthy pattern of thinking, acting and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has problems perceiving and relating to situations and people. Borderline personality disorder and antisocial disorder are classified in this cluster.

TRANSLATION OF MENTAL DISORDER MEDICATIONS

While psychiatric medications do not cure mental illness, they can often significantly improve symptoms. The most appropriate medications will depend on the particular situation of a person and how the body responds to medication.

The most commonly used prescription psychiatric medications are antidepressants, anxiolytics, neuroleptics and mood stabilisers. This is an area that pharmaceutical translation also deals with.

TRANSLATION OF MENTAL DISORDERS TO SPREAD INFORMATION TO THE WORLD

Although little talked about, medical translators have the important role of translating documents related to mental disorders and psychiatry into different languages. This will make possible the dissemination of information and implementation of treatments in the areas where they are needed.

These documents use technical, formal and specialised language. This makes translation a complex process that requires great attention to detail and very specific knowledge of the terminology, disease process and culture of the target market.

This translation should be carried out by a team specialised in medical translation. Specialised translation agencies such as Okomeds will be able to fulfil this type of assignment. Do you need a medical translation? Please contact us.