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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 8 October 2018

Dr Ankit Patel, a Pune based psychiatrist, who himself has dealt with depression, says his mission now is to educate people about mental illness and reduce the stigma associated with it.

According to World Health Organization 56 million people suffer from depression and another 38 million people suffer from anxiety disorders in India. Which would you classify as the 5 most common psychiatric disorders?

  1. Depression
  2. Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  3. OCD
  4. Panic Disorder
  5. Schizophrenia/ Psychosis

Are mental health issues becoming a growing health concern in society? Why?

All health issues are matters of concern because you never know when it can lead to something severe. Yes, mental health issues are a growing health concern in society. People’s lifestyle is changing - their expectations from the self and from others are increasing. But at least now people are coming forward to seek help for mental health disorders, in contrast to past decades. The awareness is also increasing slowly. And yes, mental illness should always be taken seriously because if left untreated for long it can cause a lot of harm.

Which are the two biggest stressors that exacerbate mood disorders?

We cannot say stressors are big or small. Stressors are stressors. Stressors can be one of the causes for depression. Some of the common stressors are separation, bereavement, family issues, work related issues, relationship issues, etc.

How do you develop an effective treatment plan for your patients?

People suffering from mental illness want someone who can hear them completely. They want to talk to someone who can understand them and keep their conversations confidential. So my first priority is to listen to what they have to say. It helps me as a psychiatrist also as it reduces the chances for wrong diagnosis of the patient. My treatment starts only after the detailed history of the patient, which is the general practice with most psychiatrists. It includes medications and therapy. Therapies are done by two psychotherapists at my clinic.

Is there psychiatric rehabilitation programs included in your treatment practice? What does it entail?

I have a team of psychologists who work with me. I’m not affiliated with any rehabilitation centre but whenever my patients need admission to a rehab centre I immediately refer them to my mentor Dr Kaustubh Joag as he is associated with few rehab centres in this town (Pune). So basically team work is required to treat a patient. The relatives of the patient are also satisfied that two psychiatrists have been consulted and that they are on the right path. It’s necessary sometimes for a second opinion to develop a trust among relatives of patients because, at the end, they have to take care of a person suffering from mental illness.

What are the 3 basic advice you give to people with psychiatric disorders?

  • Trust and stick with treatment and don’t stop medications and therapy until they are asked to do so.
  • Always have a healthy lifestyle and good quality of sleep.
  • Take this as an illness which is curable and manageable.

It is rare to find psychiatrists come out in the open with their own mental health issues. You have been surprisingly candid about your clinical depression. When and how did you realise that you were suffering from depression?

Frankly, I was depressed for so long but I never thought or realised I could be in depression too. I consulted therapists and psychiatrists when I became suicidal in July 2017. During consultation it dawned on me that I had been depressed since 2014 but it was in 2017 that the symptoms fully hit me.

How did you overcome your depression?

To overcome my depression I followed the therapy and medications for a year as it was advised to me. I followed my treatment very seriously. I didn’t hesitate to take the medications even once. Whenever I used to feel lonely, I immediately tried to switch to social media. This helped me overcome my loneliness. Today, I am enjoying my life fully and I’m also able to work with my full efforts.

There is substantial stigma still associated with mental disease. Did you ever fear that your clinical depression would affect your practice adversely?

Yes, I did fear that might affect my practice adversely. But if you have any health issues it is going affect your work. Going public and speaking about my mental illness was not easy for me but I somehow mustered up courage. I have studied depression and I have also walked the walk. Now I think I know exactly how a person feels when he/she is depressed. If you want to change society and your surroundings, the first step should always be taken by you. Till I’m in this world I will try to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness at my level.

You are also a geriatric psychiatrist. What are some of the common mental health problems among the elderly?

  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Old Age Psychosis
  • Somatoform Disorder

Could you tell us 5 ways to reduce stigma and discrimination in society about mental disorders?

  1. Educating people more about mental illness.
  2. Explaining to people why there is No health without mental health.
  3. Talking more about mental health.
  4. Running Mental Health Programmes in Rural Areas which includes educating people living in rural areas about mental health and also providing them treatment.
  5. By asking survivors of mental illness to come out and speak about their illness and their journeys.

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