About Quote by Kay Redfield Jamison
“Because I teach and write about depression and bipolar illness, I am often asked what is the most important factor in treating bipolar disorder. My answer is competence. Empathy is important, but competence is essential.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, 1995
Effective treatment of bipolar disorder hinges on clinician skill and knowledge; empathy alone is insufficient without competence.
In simple terms: Skillful care matters more than feeling alone.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize competence in mental health practice.
Themes
mental health
bipolar disorder
clinical practice
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- psychiatric assessment
- therapy sessions
- medication management
- patient education
Key Concepts
competence
empathy
treatment efficacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clinicians develop deeper competence?
- What systemic changes support competent care?
A Different Perspective
Competence may be limited by systemic constraints like time pressure or resource scarcity.
![“...even though [my psychiatrist] understood mor than anyone how much I felt I was losing--in energy, vivacity, and originality--by taking medication, he never was seduced into losing sight of the overall perspective of how costly, damaging, and life threatening my illness was. He was at ease with…” quote by Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/57f/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_life_even-though-my-psychiatrist-understood-m_3399.jpg)
