Myths & FAQs

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Myths & FAQs about psychiatry

Ans –  mental illnesses have biological causes just as that of any physical illnesses like malaria, diabetes etc. Changes in neurotransmitter ( you can call it chemicals ) levels present inside the brain causes mental illnesses.  Traumatic events, stresses, personalities, addictions do play an additive role in the causation.

And just the too much of stress/ thinking much can not lead to mental illnesses neither the black magic things. Though many believes it, it is not true.

Ans – almost anyone on this earth can get this. Nobody is immune to it.

Ans – yes, many of the mental illnesses are hereditary just like that of diabetes & blood pressure. Though the percentage varies from illness to illness.

Ans – there are more than 100 types of mental illnesses.  Since years, many in our society believes that only the one who gets “ psycho “ thing needs to see psychiatrist. But that is not true so.

Wandering, talking to self, over suspicious etc are just the symptoms of one of the illness called schizophrenia, which accounts for just the 1% of the population. And most of the patients getting treated by psychiatrists are not that one illness. In fact  depression, anxiety, phobias, deaddiction, behavioural problems, headaches accounts for majority of them. So simply put , forget the so called social stigma.

Ans – there are many of them. Symptoms of some predominant ones are described on the page “ symptoms “.

Ans –  No. Many believes but its not true.

Ans – Psychiatrist.  Because of lack of awareness about this field, majority of the patients are treated by non-psychiatrist doctors. This hampers both the patients and their relatives  because the treatment they receive from others is either not correct at all or the inadequate one.

So if in doubt, confirm it from your family doctor.

Ans –  It varies. Every mental  illness has got specific duration of treatment like that of physical illnesses. For example malaria takes almost 10 days, typhoid 20 days, blood pressure life long; same way for mental illnesses like depression ( 1 st episode ) approx 10 mnths, ocd ( 2nd episode ) 3 yrs, schizophrenia ( more than 3 episodes ) life long.

Important thing is whatever the duration of treatment is you should complete it or else it increases the chances of the illness to come back.

Ans – it varies from illness to illness depending upon the age, precipitant factors, symptoms, duration of illness, how early treatment started etc.  There are majority of the cases which once get successfully treated for their first episode, they remain free from that illness for life.  And there are fewer ones like chronic ( lasting years with or without the treatment ) schizophrenia who might require treatment for life just as that of blood pressure treatment. That helps patient to remain healthy , away from the illness with the treatment.

Ans – No. These medices are not habit forming. Thing to remember over here is that ,at the time of stoppage of the treatment it has to be done and decided carefully by the treating doctor.

Ans – No. Many believes this but mental illness require medications. Counselling do help alongwith medications when patient gets better, to help avoid the illness coming back again. Yoga, exercise are just the supportive to medications. Hypnotherapy  has no role. Always consult your doctor if someone advises you the same.

These are just the few frequently asked questions which revolves around many myths about the psychiatry. Any other query or question if you have got, do write to us on our email or consult any psychiatrist in your area.