What are the cost implications of psychological injuries post-Jackson, asks Dr Tim Webb
The Department of Health’s working estimate is that one-third of all illness and 40% of disability is primarily mental in origin and that much is missed.
It is a good rule of thumb that the frequent changes to the grand design of UK healthcare fail to take this into account, as does the provision of routine clinical care.
Jackson looks to have followed suit. Scoping the cost of assessing psychological damages in advance is going to be a challenge.
Understanding mental disorder
Mental and behavioural disorders arise from a complex mix of factors that can be sub-divided roughly into:
Biological
- Join-up problems with the hard wiring during brain development.
- New or old injury to the brain.
- Changes to brain biochemistry from illnesses such as depression.
- The toxic or stress-induced effects of physical ailments or injuries.
- The unintended effects of prescribed drugs.
- Problematic use of recreational drugs.
Functional
- Behavioural traits and habits.
- Learned or exaggerated responses.
- Reactions
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