Mind and mending it

The stigma associated with mental illness stubbornly continues to plague our society and in the process, keeps people away from seeking help for anxiety and depression. Even though they are minor ailments, if ignored, they tend to take on larger proportions over time. As psychiatrists and health experts point out, the problem can become complex if people look at mental illness as something that’s ‘hoped to be coped’ with or just mood swings that will eventually pass away.

Coupled with the alarming lack of insurance health cover, this lackadaisical attitude toward treating ailments of this nature works as a major deterrent towards helping individuals get better.

Since mental health is related to behaviour, it works like a chain reaction; where a bad or sober reaction from an individual triggers a chain of reactions among others. Those who suffer recurring bouts of depression, anxiety, attention deficiency syndrome or are always on the edge must not fear or ignore these symptoms.

Just ‘a little help’ could relieve them from overwhelming stress.

Teens, elderly vulnerable

The groups that are more prone to mental health issues are those between 15 to 25 years, and 55 years and above. Teenagers are vulnerable as they have to deal with the pressures of competition. Dr K.K. Chandrashekar, consultant psychiatrist at Asha Hospital, says, “The problems of anxiety and depression in teens have witnessed a rise in the past few years. Many don’t have the right avenues to vent their feelings.” Similarly, as people age, many start suffering from a fear psychosis due to insecurity and safety issues. These changes keep them on the edge along with physical illnesses. So, their depression is due to lack of support, fear and also the onset of age-related diseases. While being with family or friends is one way to beat it, it is also important to be practical, instead of emotional.

Insurance a must

Prolonged treatment of mental illness demands that it must be covered by the insurance sector. Many people shy away from treatment due to the huge costs involved and hence, only cases of schizophrenia, mania and psychosomatic disorders approach hospitals for care.

Dr A. Kalyan Chakravarthy, neuro psychiatrist at Mediciti Hospitals, says, “Only 30 per cent of people avail treatment and it’s very important for the government to categorise the various mental ailments, as it will not only help people in identifying their problems but also in seeking benefits and treatment for the same.”

Very few seek medical help

Estimates reveal that at any point in time, about 20 per cent of the population is suffering from some form of mental illness, though only six to eight per cent of that figure seeks help. Furthermore, only two per cent of this miniscule figure follows medical advice zealously. Also, there is the stigma combined with false notions like mental health drugs have side effects like drowsiness or that they make patients behave like zombies. These are all untrue.

Most physical illnesses have their roots in mental problems, but they are not identified and treated. For example, when an individual has chest pain, it is actually due to severe anxiety which increases palpitations and causes other symptoms like dryness of mouth, cold sweats etc. Dr P.K.N. Choudary of Chetana Hospital says, “It could be that the person has suffered from anxiety over a period of time. He may have been depressed and always anticipating untoward events. When such traits are there, it means the person is taking too much of stress. The individual is not taking life as it comes but anticipating ‘bad incidents’. These things pile on and later manifest in the form of physical pains like chest pain or headaches.”

Key facts

A healthy mind is able to follow ‘Maslow’s hierarchy of needs’.

• Accept facts
• Solve problems and do not create them
• Be creative
• Be moral
• Do not be prejudiced