The Hindu : New Delhi News : Increasing cases of depression, anxiety due to demolition drive

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Friday, Sep 22, 2006
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New Delhi

Increasing cases of depression, anxiety due to demolition drive

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Psychiatrists say that this is pushing several towards suicide, extreme reactions "After demolition drive started, the bread winners are coming for consultation, treatment"

NEW DELHI: Shooting anxiety levels and acute depression among shopkeepers and residents arising out of the recent demolition and sealing drive undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have resulted in a major increase in the number of case of psychiatric problem being reported here in the Capital.

Psychiatrists claim that the demolition drive is having a devastating impact on the mental health of those affected and pushing several towards suicide and other extreme reactions.

"Most patients come with acute depression and anxiety. Also the confusion created by different announcements/stands taken by the Delhi Government and the courts add to the mental pressure that these patients undergo. On an average we see two to three patients each day who need medical help to tide over the high pressure situation that the demolition drive has put them under," said Vidya Sagar Institute Mental Health and Neurosciences (VIMHANS) psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Pattanayak.

"When people are faced with loss of home and livelihood, mental health is low priority. However, people now understand that if they are healthy and mentally fit they would be able to cope with this extreme pressure in a better manner. Awareness about the need for mental health has resulted in us seeing wives, children and bread-winner of the family affected by the demolition drive coming for treatment," he added

Psychiatrists also note that when the demolition drive was announced, they had more housewives and children coming in with complaints of depression, anxiety and fear of the future but after the actual demolition started "it has been the bread winners who are coming for consultation and proper treatment," said Max Healthcare Department of Mental Health head Dr. Samir Parikh.

"We have been seeing patients coming with acute mood swings, depression and anxiety when the demolition drive was announced. The anxiety of having to give up their homes and shops first hits the home-makers and then trickles down to the children, most of whom have never faced such adversities before. Children that we previously saw at the hospital showed symptoms of sadness, excessive aggression and anxiety. But after the actual demolitions started we are seeing a steady increase in the number of breadwinners coming for mental solace. With most of the patients left high and dry because of the drive, the mental trauma is acute and since it is a long-standing problem the pressure in this case is intense and spread over a large time span. We recommend crisis intervention and only in extreme cases do we resort to medications," said Dr. Parikh.

Psychiatrists state the symptoms to look out for include extreme stress, depression, low mood, excessive anxiety and irritability. "People have to understand that remaining mentally strong will help them cope better with the situation. Mental tension can also cause other related diseases including ulcers, high blood pressure, breathing irregularity, diabetes, stroke and even fatal heart attack," said VIMHANS consultant psychiatrist Dr. Vikas Mohan Sharma.

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