Worrisome lifestyle of medical students

Hyderabad: Medical students have it tough, according to the Indian Medical Association. Alcohol and smoking abuse is as high as 40 per cent among medical students when compared to non-medical students, the IMA reported.
The rate of suicide in medical students has been documented to one in seven students, according to Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour carried out in 2012. One in three students suffer from mental health problems due to pressure.

This data came to the fore following recent instances in which medical students were found dead in suspicious circumstances. IMA honorary secretary general Dr K.K. Aggarwal said medical students face intense academic pressure and have to be studying almost all the time. “Practical training for undergraduates begins later. There is a vast syllabus and many of them get into the habit of smoking and drinking to beat the stress. A small section is found addicted to habit-forming drugs.”

Senior paediatrician Dr Altaf Naseem said the students faced peer pressure. “They have to be able to cope with what their friends are doing. That becomes a conflicting issue.” A senior professor said the problem mostly affected students who are not very serious and struggle at the last minute to catch up. “Some of them smoke all night to stay awake. During the lean time, we find that they are indulging in binge drinking. This is becoming a deadly cocktail.”
Professors say they try to counsel students who appear disoriented during lectures but complete monitoring is not possible.

Dr P. Chaudhary, senior psychiatrist, said there were other factors like relationship stress. “It has been seen that a combination of these two stress makes them prone to suicide,” he said. A medical student also pointed to the culture in the college. “In most government colleges, the addiction is to alcohol and smoking. In private colleges where easy money is available substance abuse is seen. When the exam pressure eases, many withdraw from these habits as they know how harmful they are,”  he said.

The IMA has recommended changes in the  curriculum to include more practical training to ease stress. They are introducing subjects like wellness where dealing with stress and reaching out for help, will be emphasised. They are working on integrated programmes to help identify vulnerable students.

Academic stress cited as a reason:

Morphine, marijuana, ethanol and habit-forming drugs are easily available to medical students who have quick access to the pharmacy. Few questions are asked as to why they need them, and senior doctors are busy with patients or administration of the hospital. Dr K. Shyam Sunder of Telangana Indian Medical Association said, “Habit forming drugs are easily available and in the case of doctors no questions are asked. There is very little monitoring. It is very important for the college managements as well as parents to come together and help in dealing with the problem.”

A medical student said that it begins as a method to relax in the face of exam pressure and continuous hectic schedules. After that it becomes a major addiction. “Some students have to be rehabilitated and it takes a lot of effort from family and friends to get them back on track,” he said. Experts say that students who are pushed into medical studies by their parents are the ones who find it most difficult to cope.

Psychiatrist Dr R.M. Reddy said, “There are underlying personality issues too which create conflict. If the individual is of a risk-taking nature then such episodes give them the required kick and that sets a chain of abuse which than becomes uncontrolled.”