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The recent stories going around about the untimely demise of a famous film star in Mumbai has raised many eyebrows about various Mental Health issues prevalent in people. Some say he was depressed, some label him bipolar while many say he had severe anxiety. Others say that he was a drug addict and many concluded that he may have committed suicide. Some have imagined an altogether different story of jealousy and homicide. The case is being investigated by the authorities so let us wait for the results and not let our imagination run riot.

I wish to make it very clear here that the Mental Health Issues of any person should be diagnosed by a doctor who is fully qualified and eligible to do so- nobody else should discuss and label people as depressed, bipolar or suicidal, or use medical terminology lightly. It is unethical to do so and it is also a waste of your and others time to participate in such discussions on subject on which they have no authentic knowledge because they are not qualified to do so.  I want to make it very clear again that no one whether it be a friend, family, media or any other novice other than a doctor has any authority, claim or qualification to do so.

Mental health issues are as common as physical health issues today. It has been researched that one in every four people we meet suffer from a Mental health problem. We readily go to a doctor to get treated for our physical ailments. Similarly, we should not hesitate to go and get our mental health issues also checked and treated by a doctor or a mental health professional. The good news is that most mental health issues are treatable with medications and psychotherapy also helps. By calling someone mad or depressed we are labelling them and this is stigma. Do we ever call anyone by names like– fever or pneumonia–when they suffer from them? Then why call someone mental or depressed?

Many television debates are today discussing the mental health status of some deceased cine stars and it’s a waste of time to do so as they have no qualification or knowledge to discuss this. In such cases they are just confused and confusing the viewers about something they have no knowledge about. Moreover by such discussions we add fuel to fire –we stigmatise the person and thereby make him an object of ridicule and pity and the family may abandon him and thus aggravate his condition.

Discussions on various platforms on topics like ‘can a depressed person commit suicide’, ‘was he or she depressed or bipolar’ and showing their video clips and analysing and diagnosing their behaviour on screen is not ethically correct. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea to diagnose or comment on someone’s mental health status –let the qualified doctor do so please.

Here are some mental health problems we should be aware of and take a doctor’s help to get them diagnosed and treated. There is a vast difference between psychosis and neurosis and it’s a doctor’s prerogative to diagnose and treat accordingly.

Stress: Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It is defined as the degree to which you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope as a result of pressures that are unmanageable. It is shown in our behaviours when we are angry irritated or frustrated. It can also manifest as headaches. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.When this stress increases in magnitude it becomes distress which is hazardous to our emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.

Depression:  If a person has four or more of the following or similar symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional right away. He will diagnose whether you may or may not have a major or a minor depressive episode. The symptoms are persistent sad or “empty” mood; feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty; substance abuse; fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex; disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns; irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks; difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions; thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts; persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

Bipolar disorder: Formerly called manic depression, it is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role. Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep and loss of touch with reality. Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety disorder: A mental health disorder characterised by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include stress that’s out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry and restlessness

Substance abuse: Excessive use of psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, pain medications or illegal drugs can lead to physical, social or emotional harm.

See a doctor immediately if you are physically dependent on any substance, regularly take or use any substance or have difficulty with work or social relationships.

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, physical disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and substance abuse—including alcoholism and the use of and withdrawal from benzodiazepines—are risk factors. Some suicides are impulsive acts due to stress (such as from financial or academic difficulties), relationship problems (such as breakups or deaths of close ones), or harassment/bullying.

(The author is a neuro psychologist & founder of a crisis helpline)

Tuesday, 22 September 2020 | Dr. Sona Kaushal Gupta 

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