What is the aim of psychosurgery?

The aim of psychosurgery is to relieve severe mental or behavioral problems. This form of treatment involves surgical procedures that target specific areas of the brain believed to be responsible for debilitating psychiatric symptoms. It is typically considered only for patients who have not responded to other treatments, such as medication or therapy, and may involve procedures like lobotomies or deep brain stimulation. The goal is to alleviate symptoms of serious conditions such as severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or chronic pain that significantly impair a person’s quality of life.

In contrast, enhancing cognitive functions, improving memory retention, and providing psychotherapy are not objectives of psychosurgery. While these may be goals of different therapeutic approaches, psychosurgery is specifically aimed at altering or alleviating extreme mental health conditions that have proven resistant to conventional treatments.