mental illness

Mad? What lunacy!

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170320/jsp/knowhow/story_141581.jspYour Health -

 Dr. Gita Mathai

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Chronic illnesses come in many forms - arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure - requiring a lifetime of regular medication. No one feels ashamed to admit that he or she suffers from these diseases. Mental illness, on the other hand, is hidden from the world and admitted to with shame. Such people are derisively called "lunatics", as though the moon was responsible for their behaviour!

Chemical imbalances in the blood cause diseases such as diabetes, and similar imbalances in the brain are responsible for mental illnesses. Both can be corrected and health maintained with with medication.

Almost 20 per cent of Indians (children, adolescents and adults) require treatment for mental illness. The number is apparently greater in urban areas. Some (adults and adolescents) suffer from major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, dementia or obsessive-compulsive behaviour.s.

In schizophrenia, the person has disorganised speech and behaviour and is out of touch with reality. Depression is diagnosed when instead of feeling low occasionally, there is social impairment and a loss of interest in activities. In anxiety, feelings are exaggerated and compounded. Constant worry prevents work and function. Bipolar people have violent mood swings, from hyperactive manic states to depression. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterised by repetitive unreasonable behaviour over which the person has no control. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a failure to recover fully after a terrifying event. An accident or a violent blow to the head can affect parts of the brain, leading to mental illness.

Children too can have a gamut of psychiatric disorders. But, as they grow physically, mentally and emotionally, it sometimes becomes difficult to draw a line between the outer edges of normalcy and psychiatric illness.

Children with anxiety respond to changed situations with fear and physical symptoms like sweating and a rapid heart rate. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most publicised disorders, and sometimes over diagnosed. These children cannot concentrate and are disruptive..

Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. It can be inherited. Even if a person is prone to mental illness genetically, it is often triggered by life situations and environmental stress. Antenatal factors like exposure to alcohol, drugs, illnesses or medication can affect the baby. .

Most mental illness can be controlled but not cured. Medication will gradually relieve the symptoms and help the person to cope. Drugs must be taken regularly. Decisions about increasing or reducing dosage must be left to professionals. Dosages vary from person to person even for the same diseases. Psychotherapy helps the person to talk through problems. Occupational therapy, physical exercise yoga and meditation may also be helpful.

To help prevent mental illnesses:

• Children should be taught to regularly exercise out of doors for at least an hour a day
• All children need peer companions. Friendships should be encouraged
• Kids need to be weaned off isolationist computer and video games
• They should be allowed to watch only restricted television programmes.

Dr Gita Mathai is a paediatrician and author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. Mail your questions to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in