Mental Health Issues and Treatment: Tips by Dr. Prachi Shah

The pandemic was an eye-opener to the world on the importance of communication, connection, and mental health. All of us have been on an emotional rollercoaster since 2020. Based on statistics by Statista [1], India will face massive economic losses due to a considerable chunk of the population battling mental health issues.

Did you know that more than 14% of people [2] in our overall population suffer from different mental health issues? To spread awareness and guide people on how to treat various mental health issues, we spoke to Dr. Prachi Shah, a famous psychiatrist from Mumbai.

Major Mental Health Issues to Watch Out For

When questioned about the most prevalent mental health issues people have started facing after the pandemic, Dr. Prachi Shah said, “Major mental health concerns affecting the everyday life of people are depression and anxiety. But, unfortunately, in most cases, people don’t recognize the symptoms of mental health issues and often live with it for years, worsening their condition.”

She added, “The major triggers pushing people towards the brink of anxiety, especially after the pandemic, are the fear of losing their loved ones, jobs and the fear of financial insecurity.”

In addition, the social isolation that came as the by-product of the pandemic caused people to bottle up their feelings and emotions. So, people who always feel drained might also be suffering from depression or anxiety while being completely unaware.

Dr. Prachi spoke to us on the issue and gave us some tips to combat depression and anxiety. She said, “It becomes difficult to be productive if you feel drained or tired. The best way to avoid negative emotions and focus on the task at hand would be to plan your day in advance, split your task wisely, and only focus on one activity at a time. Lastly, practice mindfulness by indulging in activities that fully relax you.”

Key Differences Between Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Disorders

If not treated correctly or timely, mental health issues can affect you for an extended period. But how can you distinguish between various mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and panic attacks?

Dr. Prachi says, “Depression is often confused with sadness, but it is a mood regulation disorder. In a healthy human, sadness is a fleeting emotion or just a reaction to something upsetting. However, while in depression, sadness can become a chronic feeling and can stay for days, weeks, and months.”

Also, when you lose the motivation to do anything and constantly feel lazy or lethargic, it is a common symptom of depression that needs immediate attention.

On the other hand, anxiety can either prevail as a general anxiety disorder or panic disorder. “In a general anxiety disorder, there is a constant sense of worry, negative thoughts, and overthinking the negative impact of every small event,” said Dr. Prachi.

While in a panic disorder, Dr. Prachi added, "You can experience panic attacks which are short but severe episodes of anxiety lasting for up to 5-10 minutes or one to two hours ". But how can you identify if you have a panic attack? According to Dr. Prachi, the symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Racing of heart
• Chest pain
• Nervousness
• Sweating
• Palpitations

You need to schedule a session with a mental health expert if experiencing any of these symptoms.

Does a Person Need Regular Counselling to Heal?

Patients often think of this one burning question - if they need regular counselling. Dr. Prachi opined that mental health treatments are often custom-made depending upon the patient's condition. "Instead of going into counselling blindly, you can go for periodic mental health screenings. Then, based on your symptoms, you can decide to go for counselling or treatment with the nearest expert available."

Most common treatments that doctors recommend people are:

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• A combination of therapies and medication

Mental health has taken center stage after the pandemic. So, if you notice any abnormal signs or symptoms, you can book a consultation with Dr. Prachi Shah right away.

A happy soul is just a click away!