With escalating mental health issues, consultation with a doctor a must: Psychiatrist

The phenomenon of cluster personality disorder makes people choose a small circle of friends that they can trust

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: A friend in need is a friend indeed is the adage which in today’s interpretation can be used to divert many mishaps taking place in the life of youth.

With Covid 19 hitting the world and it escalating mental health issues and solutions, most people continue to find solace in friends. This however can take a negative turn, it is good to determine boundaries, and get treatment if the problem is serious.

“Friendship is a magic wand used in times of dire distress to divert unpleasant and life changing situations. When a friends approaches you when they are having a panic attack or an anxiety attack or a combination of both, it is to be remembered that no free advice is to be given to person undergoing the attack, this will only worsen the situation and put them in a state of contemplation which can make them not speaking at all,” Dr Shradha Shejkar, consultant Psychiatrist, Specialist Hospital said.

She added that in times of panic attack, one tends to lose control of one’s body and feel physical symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, sharp pain in the chest alongside rapid heart action. This all can lead to disorientation and even result in hyperventilating episodes which can become unmanageable.

In such times, doctors suggest that the friends get on a video call and demonstrate breathing exercises because people experiencing attacks tend to lose track of simple breathing. If the attacks are shaping negatively then medication can be provided, an emergency SOS pill comes in handy which is mostly administered by psychiatrists but can also be given by family and friends of the patient.

The phenomenon of cluster personality disorder makes people choose a small circle of friends that they can trust, if boundaries are not well established then these relationships tend to backfire instead of helping the course of mental inconvenience. She further added that consultation with a doctor should be seriously considered if clear boundaries are not established, this way it gives room for involvement in a non-judgemental environment.

As most people suffer from the feeling of being judged, they bottle their emotions and prefer to seek professional help to avoid the judgement parameters. Even for doctors and therapists, they pick the detail that is most important for the treatment and wellness point of you.

A person unwilling to share their feelings usually finds themselves in very vulnerable situations, they might be suffering from extreme stress, anxiety, insomnia, overwhelming episodes lasting for hours , abuse of drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism, and are a victim to chronic mental and physical ailments which dominates most of their behavioural aspects.

“The trusted friend should not encourage their friends to consume drugs, alcohol and cigarettes as they can be harmful for the long haul and can induce prolonged episodes due to their psychotropic qualities which can easily alter minds, especially ones that are incapable to undergo the realism most substances are prone to reflect. This can also induce feelings of addiction because of their sedative qualities,” Dr. Shradha informed.

For people with anxiety alongside substance abuse, suicidal ideation, insomnia, it is advisable to get treatment before therapy as a person suffering from anxiety takes very little notice of the session and requires medication to allow them to be able to grasp the information which is being handed to them. Medication like low dosage of sedatives and antianxiety medication helps in the regulation of serotonin in the brain, she added.

Speaking on the availability of emergency mental health services in the state, the doctor shared that government institutions like NIMHANS have worked fabulously with other mental health bodies to provide first aid. “The free helpline numbers can be approached and walk-ins are entertained.

The treatment procedure followed in the country is one of the best in the world, attracting many foreigners from Western and Middle Eastern countries to India. Anyone experiencing mental distress or suicidal tendencies can reach out this helpline numbers for immediate help and response, 9152987821”, she summed up.