Many a times we get a call regarding complain that ” my patient is not willing to see a psychiatrist “
Often, the Mentally ill person is unaware that the symptoms are unusual or that he or she should seek help. In Indian culture and movies psychiatry illness are stigmatized and make it difficult to seek any kind of help from mental health professional. Internet is full of self claimed healer and doctor who claim to treat psychiatry illness and make negative or stigmatized comment on psychiatrist which leaves no option for seeking professional help. People have very little knowledge about psychiatry illness and keep searching google and other platform and believe that ” Once we go to Psychiatrist , they will lock them “
Often, Family members and friends are the first to notice symptoms of mental illness and they can convince the patient to seek psychiatrist help by :
- Develop Trust : This is the most important step in convincing patient to seek mental health evaluation. This is can be done by close relative or friends of the patient to seek help. You should involve elderly family member as well for help in consulting psychiatrist. Patient with symptoms of paranoia or suspicion have feeling that “family member are against them and will harm them by taking them to psychiatrist “
- Asking Questions :
3. Family member can consult psychiatrist , even if the patient is not willing to come to psychiatrist. They can explain the symptoms to psychiatrist and he can evaluate the patient through video consultation or home visit . Home visit is good option considering the patient will be comfortable in his environment and will be more open to treatment .
Identifying Early Psychotic Symptoms
The earliest phase of a psychotic disorder consists of nonspecific symptoms that can be difficult to recognize as serious, says Dr. Rameez Shaikh, MD medical director at Mind & Mood Clinic, a clinic at sadar in Nagpur that treats people with psychotic and neurotic disorders and those who are at high risk of developing them. “Many of these symptoms might just seem like fairly typical behavior, especially in young onset,” Dr. Shaikh says.
These symptoms include:
- Mood disturbances like irritability and anger issues
- Sleep issues like insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness
- Poor performance in school and colleges
- Deceased Social Interaction
- Low concentration and interest
- Lack of joy in any activity
Many things can cause these symptoms, including panic attack, depression, anxiety, adhd, drug use like alcohol or cannabis, trauma, bullying or teenage angst. But Dr. Shaikh says “if these symptoms progress to unusual experiences such as thinking others can read your mind, paranoia, suspiciousness, or hearing and seeing things which does not exist, then the likelihood that the person is developing a psychotic disorder goes up.”
Dr. Rameez Shaikh (MBBS, MD, MIPS) is a consultant Psychiatrist, Sexologist & Psychotherapist in Nagpur and works at Mind & Mood Clinic. He believes that science-based treatment, encompassing spiritual, physical, and mental health, will provide you with the long-lasting knowledge and tool to find happiness and wholeness again.
Dr. Rameez Shaikh, a dedicated psychiatrist , is a beacon of compassion and understanding in the realm of mental health. With a genuine passion for helping others, he combines his extensive knowledge and empathetic approach to create a supportive space for his patients.
