Are you down all the time? Do you find it difficult to cope with the rapid changes around you? Is too much of peer pressure leading to taking decisions, which do not agree with your family and cultural background?
Well, then you are not alone. A majority of youngsters and middle-aged Indians are suffering from depression, anxiety and personality disorders due to the socio-economic and cultural challenges. Apart from genetic prevalence of the disease, most of them are suffering in the environment they are placed in and that is making it difficult for them to cope with stress explains Dr Jyothirmayi K., consultant psychiatrist.
It has been found that stress-related disorders are increasing in India? What is stress-related disorder and how does it affect the mental health, social relationships and professional efficiency of a person?
Stress is something unseen, it cannot be measured and varies from individual to individual. Stress-related disorders are post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and physical ailments like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s which get accelerated due to stress.
It lessens the capacity of the individual and quality of life is affected. At office too one may not be able to concentrate completely on work due to stress. These disorders are on the rise due to the increased use of technology in our life. How and where technology must be used requires a clear definition and in the Indian scenario, there are absolutely no rules.
Why are common mental disorders like depression and anxiety on the rise?
Depression and anxiety are rising due to the changing lifestyles and fast paced life. Everyone is in a hurry to achieve and earn more money. Comparisons with peers increase the pressure to catch up with them.
Though men are supporting women, a huge gap still needs to be filled. Women have to manage both work and family and fulfil many obligations. A family comprises of happy people and even if a single person in the family is unhappy, it results in tension in the entire family. Not spending proper time with children and increased use of gadgets is leading to emergence of disturbed personality traits in children.
What is the reason for the high prevalence rates of such conditions in the age-group of 40 to 49 ?
Depression is on the rise in the age-group between 30 to 50 in both the genders. However, females are more vulnerable to stress-related diseases, as they do not get much support from the male counterparts.
What are the early symptoms of common mental disorders?
Early symptoms include irritable behaviour, not eating well, not communicating with people and getting tensed too often. Family members should evaluate and empathise with the individual and not criticise them for their behavior.
Why is it very important to complete the treatment and not leave it in between?
Medications for depression and anxiety act slowly. If the treatment is left in between, chances of relapse or recurrence of symptoms are high.
What are the other therapies which can be practiced to deal with mental disorders? Do they help?
Yoga and meditation do help. But a special emphasis has to be on physical exercises and eating a proper diet at proper time. Due to busy schedules, many individuals do not consume food at proper time. Last but not the least, talking is the best form of therapy. The more they talk to someone about their problems the more relief they would get.
Dr Jyothirmayi K, Consultant psychiatrist
