Psychiatry Services

General Services

Mental health disorders or mental illness refers to a diverse range of mental health conditions or disorders that affect your thinking, mood, and behaviour. Examples of such illness include anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and addictive behaviours.

From time to time, many people experience mental health concerns. However, a mental health concern becomes an illness when the ongoing signs and symptoms lead to frequent stress and affect your ability to live a healthy and normal life. A mental illness can make you feel sad and miserable, causing problems in your daily life, such as at work or school or in personal relationships. In most cases, a combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications can help manage the symptoms of mental illnesses.

Mental illnesses are quite common these days. These can occur at any age, ranging from childhood to adulthood. However, most cases are seen earlier in life. The effects of these illnesses can be temporary or long lasting. You can also have more than one mental health condition at the same time. For example, you may have substance abuse or depression at the same time.

Symptoms

Depending on the type, duration, circumstances and other conditions, the signs and symptoms of mental conditions vary. These disorders can affect thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Examples of signs and symptoms include:

  • Feeling down, sad, or anxious
  • Reduced ability to concentrate or confused thinking
  • Excessive worries or fears, or extreme feelings of guilt
  • Extreme mood changes of lows and highs
  • Withdrawal from activities and friends
  • Low energy, significant tiredness, or sleeping problems
  • Paranoia, detachment from reality, or hallucinations
  • Trouble relating to people and to situations and trouble understanding
  • Inability to cope with stress or problems of daily life
  • Problems with drug or alcohol use
  • Major changes in eating habits
  • Changes with sex drive
  • Excessive hostility, anger or violence
  • Suicidal thoughts

The symptoms of a mental disorder can sometimes appear as physical problems, such as back pain, stomach pain, headaches, and other unexplained pains and aches.

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, you must see a mental health professional or at least your primary care provider. Most mental health illnesses don’t resolve spontaneously. If not treated at the right time, a mental illness may worsen over time and give rise to serious problems.

Suicidal thinking and behaviour are common with some mental disorders. If you think that you are at a risk of hurting yourself or attempting suicide, seek help right away by talking to a friend, loved one or a mental health specialist. Don’t think that suicidal thinking gets better on its own, so don’t wait for it to go away by itself.

Helping a loved one

If someone you love shows signs suggesting a mental illness, you should have an honest and open discussion with them and share your concerns. Even if you can’t force someone to get professional care, you can offer your support and encouragement. You can also help your loved one seek an appointment with a qualified mental health professional.

If your loved shows signs of self-harming behaviour or is considering doing so, you must call for emergency help or take the person to a hospital.

Causes

Generally, mental illnesses are believed to be caused by a range of environmental and genetic factors. Following are some of these factors:

  • Inherited traits
    Mental disorders are more commonly seen in individuals whose close relatives also have a mental disorder. Your risk of developing a mental illness is increased due to certain genes, and it may be triggered by your life situation.
  • Environmental exposures prior to birth
    Exposure to inflammatory conditions, environmental stressors, alcohol, toxins, or drugs, while in the womb can sometimes be associated with mental illness.
  • Brain chemistry
    Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that are naturally occurring and carry signals to other parts of the body and brain. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are not working properly, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, causing depression and other emotional disorders.

Risk factors

Certain factors may enhance your risk of developing a mental disorder, including:

  • Stressful life situations, such as death of a loved one, financial problems, or a divorce.
  • A history of mental illness in a first degree relative, such as a sibling or a parent.
  • Chronic ongoing medical condition, like diabetes
  • Brain damage due to serious injury, such a violent blow to the head.
  • Use of recreational drugs or alcohol.
  • Traumatic experiences, such as assault or military combat.
  • A childhood history of neglect or abuse.
  • Few healthy relationships or no friends.
  • Previous history of a mental illness.

Complications

Mental illnesses are one of the main causes of disability in the world. If left untreated, mental illness can lead to behavioural, emotional, and physical health problems. Here are some common complications associated with mental illness disorders:

  • Family conflicts
  • Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
  • Social isolation
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school
  • Financial and legal problems
  • Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
  • Self-harm and harm to others, including homicide or suicide
  • Poverty and homelessness

Prevention

There is no definite way to prevent mental illnesses. However, if you are suffering from a mental illness, taking steps to increase your resilience, control stress, and to boost your self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Following are some steps you may take:

  • Pay attention to warning signs
    You can work with your healthcare provider or therapist to understand what might trigger your symptoms. Together, you can develop a plan that you can follow if your symptoms return. Also contact your healthcare provider if you experience any changes in symptoms or in how you feel. Consider involving your friends or family members to watch for warning signs.
  • Get routine medical care
    Don’t skip appointments or neglect checkups with your primary care provider, especially if you are feeling unwell. You may face a new health condition that may require treatment, or you may be experiencing medication side effects.
  • Get help when you need it
    Mental health conditions are more challenging to treat if you wait for the symptoms to worsen. Long-term maintenance treatment may also help prevent symptom relapse.
  • Take good care of yourself
    Healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and regular physical activity are vital. Try maintaining a regular schedule. Talk to your healthcare provider if you find it hard to fall asleep or if you have questions about your physical activity or diet.

The Department of Psychiatry at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Indore, offers diagnostic and curative services for a wide range of psychiatric disorders. The treatment plans are established after a thorough clinical examination and history taking. The overall condition of the client and as well the personal preferences of his family are taken into account before considering the treatment options. Consult highly experienced psychiatrists in Indore at our hospital for treatment of mental health disorders.

The Department offers diagnostic and curative services for a wide range of psychiatric diseases and disorders, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, different types of phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar mood disorder, substance abuse, schizophrenia, eating disorders like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sexual dysfunction, specific learning disorders, and neuro-cognitive disorders.