The virtues in psychiatric treatment

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Ethics

Background:

• Virtues, defined as excellent character traits, historically underpinned human flourishing.
• Psychiatric practice has largely neglected virtues due to concerns about scientific objectivity and therapeutic moralism.
• Recent challenges in professionalism and the rise of virtue ethics have spurred renewed interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the historical neglect and recent resurgence of virtues in psychiatric practice.
• To examine the clinical relevance and empirical support for virtues in mental health.
• To advocate for a virtues-based perspective in psychiatric assessment and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical psychiatric texts and contemporary virtue ethics scholarship.
• Analysis of factors contributing to the neglect and revival of virtues in clinical settings.
• Examination of empirical evidence supporting the benefits of specific virtues (e.g., gratitude).

Main Results:

• Virtues were foundational to early concepts of human flourishing but sidelined in modern psychiatry.
• Concerns regarding scientific objectivity and moralism contributed to their exclusion.
• Growing evidence, including benefits of gratitude and advancements in growth-promoting therapies, supports their clinical utility.

Conclusions:

• A virtues-based perspective offers a valuable framework for psychiatric diagnostic assessment.
• Incorporating virtues can enhance goal-setting and treatment planning in mental health care.
• Evidence supports integrating virtues into contemporary psychiatric practice for improved patient outcomes.