Manic attacks up with tech growth; many youths fail to cope with lifestyles

Hyderabad: Incidence of mania attacks has reached as high as 30 per cent among young males, and 22 per cent in women. Changing lifestyles, nuclear families and constantly evolving technology are seen responsible for creating situations that youths find difficult to handle.

The major manic episodes among the younger generation being reported at clinics are triggered by elders barring youths from accessing social network sites, taking away Internet connections, not allowing Internet gaming and disallowing uploading of event pictures on social network sites.

These are resulting in violent behaviour from teenagers as well as adults. “Internet, gaming and cellphone addiction are the most common complaints we get,” said senior neuropsyciatrist Dr Ch. Venkata Suresh. “The problem is that the trigger lies somewhere else but it vents out in this form.”

During sessions he had found teenagers complaining of loneliness, anger towards parents, denied opportunities, being pushed into academics which are not of their choice and their inability to cope with expectations. “These are some of the major reasons which lure them towards gadgets where they find solace in,” he said.

A recent case was that of a 40-year-old man who had lost his job. While the family was financially independent, the man found his wife was no longer interested in him. This kicked off minor arguments that escalated into quarrels.

The man took to online gaming and rummy to deal with his frustration. Such was the addiction he would be on the playstation for as many as 18 hours.

A doctor said, “Long hours of sitting and improper diet affected his health and he was hospitalised. During investigations, doctors got to know of the gaming addiction and referred him to a psychiatrist.” It took two years of counselling, medication and motivation to get him out of the situation. The family was also counselled to help him.

Harmful effects from weed, alcohol similar
Weed or alcohol? Students in Hyderabad colleges were asked in a Youtube video. De-addiction centres and psychiatrists came across the year-old video featuring 10 students recently when five college students were brought in with impaired functional ability and severe attacks of mania and depression.

Senior psychiatrist Dr Preeti Swaroop said that the video eulogised weed when compared to alcohol. “Both have different effects and they cannot be compared. The video is damaging as students are made to believe that those who have tried weed and alcohol are fit and fine, which is not the case.”

The five students who turned up at the de-addiction centres were found to smoke weed regularly and suffered from impaired memory and co-ordination and severe mood swings.

A de-addiction centre official said that the number of cases was increasing because of easy availability, easy money and willingness to experiment. Dr B.Y. Prasad, psychiatrist, said, “Every month around five students addicted to cannabis arrive at our clinics. The problem with cannabis is that there are no hints that point to its consumption other than a redness in the eyes.” The long-term effects are low sperm count, infertility, damage to the ovaries, memory impairment and altered thinking.