Posts

Does Biofeedback Help In Psychiatric Illnesses?

Image
  Biofeedback is a fascinating non-drug therapy that empowers patients to gain control over involuntary bodily processes. It not only gives patient control over his or her condition but also potentially do it with least or no medicines. Let’s explore how it works and discus its potential benefits: Understanding Biofeedback : Definition : Biofeedback involves measuring physiological functions (like heart rate, muscle tension, and blood pressure) using sensors attached to your body. Purpose : It aids in understanding the working of your body, allowing for improving control over certain functions and addressing health issues. Biofeedback in Psychiatric Disorders : Anxiety and Stress Reduction : Biofeedback teaches patients to recognize and manage stress responses. By monitoring physiological indicators (such as heart rate variability or skin conductance), patients learn relaxation techniques. This can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms and improve overall well-being. Attention-Def...
Post a Comment
Read more

Schizophrenia : Road to Ability

Image
  Nearly in middle of my OPD a young female walks up to me along with her mother (a schizophrenia patient). I made few interactions about her condition and as I started writing the prescription, the accompanying female enquired “doctor is schizophrenia, a spilt personality disorder”? She further told me that this was what she read on internet and the mother had dual personality, of which the other personality only appears when medicine gets stopped. Her statement clearly stated that the people had a distorted concept, of a major mental illness like schizophrenia, which affects nearly one percent of world’s population. On 24 Apr 1908, the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the term 'schizophrenia’, which was derived from the Greek words schizo (‘split’) and phren (‘mind’). The term was intended to be used for denoting ‘loosening’ of thoughts and feelings, but unfortunately it was mistakenly read as “split in personality”. Split personality is categorized in ICD 10 under dis...
Post a Comment
Location: Madhuraj Superspeciality Polyclinic (Chamber, No 2, 8/210, Khalasi Line, Arya Nagar, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002, India
Read more

Treatment Resistant Depression: Let's Talk.

Image
  Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects millions of lives worldwide. It can have varying degree of (from mild to severe) feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Depression apart from above symptoms also does interfere with daily functioning, such as productivity at work/ school, interpersonal relationships, and difficult self-care. While there are many effective treatments for depression, such as medications and psychological counselling, some people may not respond well to these options. This is called  treatment resistant depression (TRD) . Treatment resistant depression is a term used in psychiatry to describe people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who do not respond adequately to a course of appropriate antidepressant medication within a certain time .  Definitions of treatment resistant depression vary, but a common one is the lack of significant improvemen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ketamine therapy for depression - we can help !!

Image
  Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that used to bring joy. Depression can also interfere with daily functioning, such as work, school, and relationships.   There are many treatments available for depression , such as medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. However, some people may not respond well to these treatments, or may experience severe side effects. For these people, ketamine therapy may offer a new and promising option.   Ketamine is a drug that has been used for decades as an anesthetic and a painkiller. It can also produce psychedelic effects, such as altered perception, dissociation, and euphoria. In recent years, researchers have discovered that ketamine can also have rapid and lasting antidepressant effects in people with treatment-resistant depression.   Ketamine therapy invo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Childhood Psychiatric Illnesses: What Parents Need to Know?

Image
Childhood psychiatric illnesses are mental health conditions that affect children and adolescents. These illnesses not only can cause distress and impair functioning,  but they also interfere with overall development. Some of the most common childhood psychiatric illnesses are listed here: - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with learning, socialization, and self-control. - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Children with ASD may have difficulties understanding social cues, expressing emotions, and adapting to changes. - Anxiety disorders: A group of disorders that involve excessive fear, nervousness, or worry that interfere with daily activities. Examples include separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias. - Mood disorders : A group of disord...
Post a Comment
Read more

Alcohol Addiction - Psychiatrist can Help

Image
  Alcohol deaddiction is a gradual process (usually under medical supervision), of overcoming alcohol dependence and restoring one's mental and physical health. Alcohol addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition that affects millions of people worldwide and causes significant burden in personal, social, and economic domains. Alcohol addiction can also lead to or worsen other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. One of the key medical professionals who can help people with alcohol addiction is a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and management of various mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. A psychiatrist can help people with alcohol addiction in several ways, such as: - Diagnosing alcohol addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions, using various tests and assessments. - Prescribing medications that can help reduce alcohol cravings, withdrawal symptoms, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), a Time Tested Machine in Psychiatry

Image
 Have you been suggested for an Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) by your psychiatrist and you are worried about it? Then this post will help to ease your anxiety. ECT is a medical procedure that involves passing small electric current (very small current- nowadays), through the brain to induce brief seizures. ECT is used in psychiatry to treat severe mental disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and catatonia. ECT can be a lifesaving treatment for some patients who do not respond to other therapies or medications. It can also be procedure of choice in pregnant lady with severe depression, where medications cannot be used or are ineffective.  Now days, the procedure is done under anesthesia (along with muscle relaxation) and in most cases patient does not even have the memory of the procedure. A smooth transition is ensured by treating psychiatrist and the anesthesiologist. The treating Psychiatrist ensures that the patient receives the correct dos...
Post a Comment
Location: 211/A, 211/A/1, First St, Khalasi Line, Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002, India
Read more