What is a mental illness? In common man’s term, it could
probably be defined as the lack of balance of mind or brain. In other words
inappropriate thought process and action that result in the affected
individual’s failure to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. Early
indicators are changes in mood, personality, habits and social interaction.
Medically there are more than 200 classified forms of mental
illness. Some of the most common types are:
clinical depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and
anxiety disorders. Like all other illness, mental illnesses too vary in
severity ranging from moderate to severe.
This could develop due to external stresses, internal
chemical imbalances and genetic factors or after some accident. But many
affected individual succeed in coming out of this illness and learn to cope
with the conditions with proper care and treatment.
However, the biggest obstacles that prevent people seek
professional help and treatment is the stigma associated with mental illness.
The most common are anxiety and depressive disorders which
are more extreme forms of feelings of anxiety, tension or sadness that most of
us normally experience. In India, there are very few people who would or have
access to medical professionals when faced with such conditions.
In the place where we grew up, I observed something that is
probably unique. We had sadhus and sanyasis associated with various sects
of Hinduism. They dedicated their life for their Gurus as well as the service of mankind. Some of them were truly learned and whenever any disciple had feeling of extreme sadness they used to use situation out of the holy
scriptures and pacify the sadness and help them back into the normal walk of
life. I am sure such pious man existed across all religions.
There was a stigma associated with going to a psychiatrist but there was no barrier reaching out to such gurus.
There was a stigma associated with going to a psychiatrist but there was no barrier reaching out to such gurus.
Today there are more impersonators, quacks and opportunist in the
society making it extremely difficult to trust. Medical supports are available
but the society still has to evolve to embrace the sick and able alike with
open arms.