Ludhiana: Two components of a human being ensure his/her smooth and efficient functioning in life. They are physical health and mental well-being. While most of us pay attention to our physical diseases, ailments, and discomforts, we often forget about our mental and psychological well-being, which in turn affects our relationships, daily interactions, and work efficiency. According to leading psychiatrists of the city, diseases like depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol dependency, substance abuse, and aggression, are at an all-time high in the city. The most alarming, however, is the increase in maladaptive behaviours and hyperactivity in school-going children.
Across the city, parents and teachers are sharing increasing cases of aggression and violence among students. Teachers across schools in the city have reported a 60% increase in cases of violence and frustration. A teacher from a renowned school shared how a case of bullying and physical violence and manhandling emerged in her class a few days ago, and how such cases have become regular occurrences among students. Teachers also shared how students have become increasingly disrespectful, and often shout at them when asking their questions.
Another school teacher noted: “I come across aggression every day when I hear children speaking ill of teachers and parents, abusing of younger children by older ones, bullying, students damaging school property, and students beating each other up in school washrooms. Zero commitment in relationships is also another avatar of aggression. Today’s youngsters lack the ability to validate emotions and then restrain them. No wonder they fall in love with the flick of a finger. Aggression does not mean acting without reason. In fact it means acting without empathy.”
Dr Aruna Sood, a retired senior consultant in the Psychiatry Department of Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) reasoned: “The primary reason for increasing aggression among children is the fact that they can be frustrated easily. As we have become better off economically, parents fulfil every desire and demand of the child, and reward a child’s frustration with reinforcers like toys and candies. This makes the child believe that his or her frustration shall lead to rewards, and the child learns to behave aggressively. Moreover, our media is filled with violence today. There are headlines of rapes, murders, and other physical violence everyday. Our entertainment industry, especially the Punjabi industry, promotes and glorifies violence and the possession of arms through its songs. Thus, not only are children desensitized to violence, they begin to accept it as a part and parcel of life, and they learn to act violently, because for them, it leads to bigger rewards.”
Dr Jasmine, a psychiatrist working in Shri Raghunath Hospital, shares: “The age groups of 15-25 is extremely vulnerable to its surroundings, and with all the changes occurring around them, and in them, there is a high propensity of them becoming violent and frustrated. Disorders like OCD and schizophrenia also reach a peak in this age group.”
Frustrated bizmen
It has also been found that a staggering 54% of businessmen and women feel frustrated almost 2 to 5 times a day, and almost 40% of the times, the stress is related to their work or business. A businessperson revealed: “My day starts with the ‘to do’ list, and the stress to finish it.” Another businessman revealed that his day kicks off with an energetic start, but by the end of the day, he feels extremely exhausted and lethargic. A large number of businesspersons also revealed that their business and problems related to it plagues their minds throughout the day.
Dr Jasmine shared that out of the 90-100 patients she sees everyday, 20-30 are businessmen suffering from stress and anxiety. According to her, the increasing pressure on businessmen, along with no fixed working hours, greatly contributes to the increase in stress in their lives.
Dr Anshu Gupta, visiting consultant at Apollo Hospital and a private practitioner, shared that more than 50% of the patients seen by him are from business families, and it has seen a 25% increase from previous years. He adds that financial issues of demonetization, and introduction of GST have aggravated the issues of depression, anxiety, and frustration among businessmen. He writes: “There is no doubt about the fact that businessmen are suffering from more and more stress each day, owing to the fact that Ludhiana is an industrial hub. We are receiving more patients from business families with work-related stress and depression.”
In the light of the issues being faced by citizens, several factors can be attributed to this increase in mental health diseases. Dr Rajiv Gupta, Manas Clinic, Ludhiana, shares: “The fast-paced life of the city, with all its glitz and glamour, increases external pressure on citizens, leading to an overall increase in expectation levels, and subsequent stress levels of people. This leads to an increased dependence on alcohol and mood-elevating drugs. As the city is adopting a more nuclear family-centric lifestyle, individuals fail to have varied and healthy interactions with others, and fail to share their grievances, leading to increasing levels of melancholy among them. As Ludhiana becomes more materialistic and loses its connect with nature, people here find themselves tied to the fetters of mental ailments.”
Social media anti-social
According to him, another factor that plays a key role in inducing and escalating mental disorders among the citizens of Ludhiana is social media. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become an arena of unhealthy competition, unachievable expectations, and exorbitantly high standards of living among citizens. It also creates false needs and insecurities among people, leading them to feel anxious about their life, and thus inducing depression and anxiety disorders. It also propagates negative emotions and hatred among people. Scientific research has proven time and again that online catharsis aggravates the emotions of jealousy, envy, and anger. It also increases frustration among people when they compare their lives to the lives of others.
However, it is possible to overcome the above-mentioned illnesses and find one’s peace of mind all over again. Dr Rajiv suggests indulging in exercise and meditation, and having a balanced diet free of fast food, energy drinks, and alcohol. He also laid stress on the importance of socializing with flesh and blood individuals, and reconnecting oneself with nature.
Dr Anshu also stressed on the importance of increasing the emotional quotient, empathy, and sensitivity of school students to mental diseases. He firmly believes that mental health education should be incorporated in schools as a part of their curricula. It is also important for schools to have psychologists in their campus so that students can discuss their issues with experts at the earliest, and the problem can be solved at the grassroot level.
It is also extremely important to remove the taboo and stigma associated with mental illnesses. Just like common cold, flu, fever, etc, mental illnesses too can occur to anyone, and they too can be fully treated. Although the stigma attached to them due to the nature of the symptoms, and their subsequent lack of awareness have been considerably reduced in the past ten years, it is important for Ludhiana — as a city and society — to help in the social rehabilitation of mental health patients, and assist them in living a healthy and a normal life.