Dr. Bhakti Sisodia, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Pacific Medical College and Hospital Udaipur

I am a Mental Health professional for the past 12 years, practicing in Udaipur, India. I am blessed with a bright and loving young boy, with an abundance of family and friends. 

Educational qualifications

I have completed my graduation in the field of medicine and surgery (MBBS) from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal College and Sion Hospital, Mumbai. Thereafter, I studied Psychiatry (MD) at SMS Medical College and Hospitals, Jaipur, before attaining MRCPsych (Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists) from London, United Kingdom. I have certifications in client-centred therapy and REBT (rational emotive behaviour therapy) from Heart-to-Heart Institute, Mumbai, along with certifications in biomedical research and methodology from ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). I have completed a certificate course in Perinatal Mental health from NIMHANS, Bangalore, and am currently engaged in an ongoing Life Skills Education training programme under the Sumana Trust affiliated with the same.

Areas of expertise

I deal with general adult psychiatric patients suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and/ or substance use disorders. I have a keen interest in implementing psychotherapy in my consultations, supporting women’s mental health, addressing emotional issues in children, and promoting positive wellbeing in schools and larger community.

Publications

My dissertation work during postgraduate studies was on studying impulsivity and anxiety in patients with bipolar affective disorder. Apart from a bunch of commentaries and interesting case reports, my original paper publications have been on varied topics under mental health, such as the role of domestic violence in female patients with schizophrenia, the role of family in patients with bipolar mania, psychopathology in juvenile criminal offenders, psychiatric manifestations of COVID-19, and the study of internet use during pandemic-imposed lockdown.

Currently, I am working on research projects related to case series on the use of Loxapine (a traditionally used anti-psychotic) in recent years, pilot study on experience of telepsychiatry as a clinician, management of delirium in ICU settings, screening of mental health symptoms in medical students, and surveying life skills in various student populations.

Roles and responsibilities as a mental health practitioner

I believe that mental wellness is primary to both physical and spiritual healing. As a student and practitioner of mental health, it is my duty to identify, understand, and address any symptom of emotional distress that surfaces in the form of psychiatric or relational symptoms in my patients. I intend to play the role of a healing touch in their lives. It is my responsibility to ensure that they receive a space devoid of judgements and that their information remains confidential.

Inspiration behind the career in psychiatry

Born into a family of doctors and to hardworking, intellectual, and God-fearing parents, I have always known that my calling lay in the medical profession. Of all the branches in the field of medicine and surgery, Psychiatry felt like home. Reading about the mind and exploring the psychology behind human behaviors helped me to get a better understanding of people and make a meaningful difference in their lives in times of need.

Key insights gained

I think the best takeaway from my work is that we must practice what we preach. Respect and integrity are the cornerstones of successful human relations, and working to better ourselves is the way forward in life.