Voluntary admission means that the patient requests treatment, and is free to leave the hospital whenever he or she wishes. A person may be admitted to a mental health facility and held there against his or her will. Delusion A fixed belief that has no basis in reality. Those suffering from this kind of disturbed thinking are often convinced they are famous people, are being persecuted, or are capable of extraordinary accomplishments. Diagnosis Refers to the identification of a disease by studying its signs and symptoms.
Schizophrenia is one of many possible diagnostic categories used in psychiatry.
ECT is the application of a controlled level of electrical current to the brain. It is mainly used for patients suffering from extreme depression who are suicidal and who for long periods seem unable to shake the depression under any circumstances. Hallucination An abnormality in perception. Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling things that are not there. Medication Pills or injections usually prescribed for psychiatric patients.