Hyderabad: Between 7 and 8 million Indians suffer from psychosis. Most of them are either languishing in hospitals and mental institutions or living on the streets.
Psychosis can be attributed to schizophrenia or mood disorders. It can also be triggered by drug abuse and can lead to disability. People suffering from psychosis are often neglected and denied early intervention and treatment.
Dr Preeti Swaroop, a senior psychiatrist, says, “Fifty per cent of the people who come to mental health hospitals are in the advanced stages of their disorders. The treatment of these patients takes longer to produce results. Most people are not able to spare time to bring patients for regular treatment over a prolonged period. This is one of the biggest problems that we encounter.”
When families lack the manpower or the finances to take care of those suffering from mental health issues, they often abandon them.
Dr Divya Rani, a senior psychiatrist, says, “Early intervention has emerged as a good way to handle these patients and give them a chance to lead a normal life. Research has shown that neurobiological changes in the early stages of schizophrenia can be tackled effectively if promptly treated. Data from brain imaging studies suggests that early treatment is effective in improving patient outcomes. It is important to create awareness that mental disorders can be tackled so that people come forward to receive treatment.”
Doctors say that the standard of care provided to patients suffering from mental disorders, in government hospitals as well as private hospitals, needs improvement. A senior psychiatrist on condition of anonymity says, “When patients have episodes of psychosis, they are violent and uncontrollable. During such times, they are kept chained. Some of them are even kept naked. These practices need to change. We need to look at better alternatives for mental health care.”
Caregiving requires trained manpower. The present situation needs to be changed so that patients begin to show improvement rather than getting increasingly disillusioned.
