Medical experts signal increase in mental health problems amid Covid-19 - Kartik Naidu

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Medical experts signal increase in mental health
problems amid Covid-19 - Kartik Naidu
Health experts have flagged an increase in mental
health cases amid the pandemic, with many
attributing the rising stress and anxiety levels
to isolation, loss of loved ones and economic
uncertainty Public health experts have flagged a
manifold increase in mental health cases amid the
coronavirus pandemic, with many attributing the
rising stress and anxiety levels to isolation,
loss of loved ones, economic uncertainty and the
fear of contracting the disease. According to a
survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO),
the pandemic disrupted critical mental health
services in 93 per cent of the countries
worldwide. World Mental Health Day is observed
on October 10 every year with the objective of
raising awareness about mental health, global
mental health education, awareness and advocacy
against social stigma. During the pandemic
people have been experiencing anxiety, fear,
frustration, sadness and loneliness to the point
that these feelings have become constant and
overwhelming or promoting the urge to attempt
suicide. Existing mental health conditions,
including severe anxiety and major depression,
have also worsened. Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Senior
Psychiatrist at Gurugram's Paras hospital, said,
"In the last three months, the cases of mental
health illness have increased nearly two-fold,
with 25 per cent new cases of obsession and 50
per cent more cases of anxiety in the psychiatry
OPD. Psychosomatic manifestations are also on the
rise." Kartik Naidu "The prolonged
self-isolation and social-distancing measures
have caused deterioration in the condition of
old or pre-existing patients. Even depressive
symptoms have recurred in patients who were
otherwise stable," Kapoor added. People are now
taking the help of experts to tackle the
situation as awareness about mental health has
increased due to celebrities' endorsement of
mental health concerns coupled with unfortunate
events such as the death of Bollywood actor
Sushant Singh Rajput. "There is an increase of
80 per cent in patients. Most of the patients are
between 19 and 40 years, and the predominant
concerns they have include job loss, anxiety due
to
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Covid-19 cases nearby, separation from near and
dear ones and the inability to meet them or
friends due to lockdown," said Dr Shweta Sharma,
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Columbia Asia
hospital. Nearly half of these patients do not
have any history of mental illness. Despite the
lifting of lockdowns, the number of cases has
remained largely the same, Sharma added. Dr Manu
Tiwari, Consultant Psychiatrist at Noida's Fortis
hospital, said, "With anxiety and insomnia in
the beginning, now we are also seeing mood
disturbances. The cases of substance abuse
withdrawal and domestic violence have also
increased substantially. One can identify and
manage the triggers better as well as develop
emotional-coping mechanisms." A Delhi-based
doctor said self-harm is one of the extreme
manifestations of mental illness and emphasised
the need to destigmatise mental health issues.
"Right now approaching a mental health doctor or
consultant is considered to be a major
stigma." Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder-Director of
Ujala Cygnus Group of hospitals, said there is a
need to ensure that mental health counselling is
available to each and every member of the
community. "Telemedicine is playing a big role in
providing high quality, low-cost mental
healthcare to all citizens of the community and
we need to promote it in a big way." According
to a report by WHO it is estimated that nearly 36
per cent of Indians are depressed or suffering
from some kind of mental disorder, said Kartik
Naidu, Transpersonal Therapist and Trainer at
Green Aura Holistic. "The problem with our
society is that there is a stigma attached to
mental health problems. People are dismissive
and judgmental towards the victim which
discourages him/her to seek therapy and
professional help. It is considered to be a sign
of weakness which is why many people would
rather suffer than speak about it or get help,"
Kartik Naidu added. "Not only this, companies
should start providing facilities for treating
any kind of mental illness. A recent WHO study
suggests that the financial returns are more than
four times the investment made in treating
mental health issues. We as a society should
treat it as any physical illness," said Kartik
Naidu. Source Medical experts signal increase
in mental health problems amid Covid-19