@nikipedia- Lurve and thanks for the links as well as for the search term. I will be researching a lot more on this.
I cannot remember the last time a question really made me THINK- and this one has me absolutely fascinated. Up until today I assumed the obvious- brain injury or traumatic injury were absolutely linked to mental illnesses but aside of possible chemical imbalances at the root of some illnesses such as depression it never had occurred to me that all mental health issues could have a biological base.
I had to go to a dinner this evening and as others around me engaged in casual banter my mind was racing…
“What if?”
What could this mean for treatment?
Could those who are tormented be relieved?
If the mechanism that creates the mental illness can be determined how could it then be countered?
It must be very incredibly complicated so perhaps dual drugs to disarm the mechanisms? (Thanks to @nikipedia I will now add the potential for a genetic component, structural components, amount of neurotransmitters and connection pathways to my thoughts.)
Would the person with the mental illness be found deficient?
In the future would neural cell transplants take place- if so would this be an easier solution than drug therapy?
In the case of grief could the treatment be abused and we become a race of those who do not feel emotional pain?
Oh how I lurve Fluther….
Next week I will pay a visit to a friend who is a doctor and inventor. We love to get into spirited and interesting conversations such as this. I am excited to bounce information back and forth with him and dwell on the possibilities.
In answer to the original question I think that we will always need psychologists to treat for grief, transitioning, growing and life challenges. However, while it would not likely be your family doctor, I can see specialists who cure the big ones such as schizophrenia, dementia and multiple personality disorder.
I learned a lot this evening! Good Question!