Blue Whale challenge: Not just teens, even adults falling prey to game

(Source: File Photo)

IT IS not just teens, who are falling prey to the Blue Whale game.  A 35-year-old married woman and a 20-year-old college student claimed that they are addicted to Blue Whale and have approached doctors at general hospital, Sector 6, seeking immediate treatment.

The woman, who visited Senior Medical Officer Dr Rajiv Trehan, psychiatrist, said she was under depression because of her family circumstances.

“When I explored, I found that she had suicidal ideation and then she confessed to have downloaded the game and was at a particular stage. She did have blade marks on her wrist,” said Dr Trehan.

The woman had visited the hospital with her husband. She was immediately put on treatment by the authorities. Her husband was told to keep a close watch on her every moment and ensure that she spent time with family members.

Dr Trehan added, “When a person starts feeling that life isn’t worth living, he starts finding some ways to harm himself. And such games provide means for all this. With this married woman’s case, it is clear that it is not just teens who are victims of this,” added Trehan.

The 20-year-old college student was in depression as his father was an alcoholic and sister a divorcee. Sources said he was just at the initial stage of the game when his friend brought him for treatment.

After victim Karan Thakur’s case, doctors at the Sector 6 hospital said they were trying to ascertain with every patient whether they were addicted to the game.

The Blue Whale linked suicide by a 16-year-old Sector 4 resident and the identification of 11 of his close friends also playing the game have led to the police issuing advisories that parents must confiscate the phone of the child if they supsect something amiss.

However, doctors said banning children’s phones was a difficult proposition and could lead to other parent-child problems.
“If a parent gets to know that the child is into this, he must consult a doctor immediately,” said Trehan.