Gauri Shinde’s slice of life film Dear Zindagi brought attention to the dilemmas the modern Indian youth face, say experts. Alia Bhatt’s ‘reel’ character Kaira resonates with the ‘real’ situations many youngsters face today with failed romantic relationships or career-related conundrums. And like Kaira, many are reaching out to psychologists, psychiatrists and life-skill therapists to get a better grip on their lives.
Take the case of 26-year-old Vaani Gupta (name changed), who was to get married later this month. Gupta was not keen on an arranged match, but agreed due to parental pressure. Still unconvinced about her ‘chosen’ life partner, after many sleepless nights, she cancelled the engagement. Her decision invited a lot of ridicule and pressure from her family, and Gupta then had to seek help of a psychiatrist to bring some perspective to her life. “My fear of marriage escalated after my engagement. I realised I would need help of an expert to deal with my issues,” she says.
Similarly, Shravan Arya (name changed), a mechanical engineering graduate, has switched three careers in two years, jumping from management to photography and modelling, to a carpet business, and is still clueless about what he wants. There’s more. He’s been in two relationships in two years, and couldn’t bring himself to commit ever. “I am always unsure; nothing brings me a sense of solace and peace,” he says.
Dr Sameer Malhotra, Head, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, says, “Youngsters today are increasingly perplexed about romantic relationships and careers. The fierce competition brings in a lot of stress. I see about 40 to 45 such cases every year.”
The journey from a young adult to an independent individual can bring along rapid physiological, sexual, cognitive, and emotional changes. Overwhelming and confusing adult responsibilities of securing a job, supporting a family and managing a household can be very testing, say experts.
The stigma around seeking therapy for disturbed mental state often leads to delay in identifying and treating issues on time. This can lead to mental disorders such as anger, depression, anxiety, bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Confusion about their sexuality, emotional neglect or lack of apathy from parents or care-givers, anxiety about social-acceptance (including on social media) and performance in academics and career, fall-out in friendships or intimate relationships, commitment issues, and abuse are not easy to deal with, and can impact one’s mental condition,” explains Dr Bhawna Barmi, Senior Clinical Psychologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi.
“Therapy, sometimes combined with medicines to increase serotonin levels, helps. Patients are often treated with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,” adds Dr Malhotra.
Fortunately more youngsters are understanding the need to seek professional therapy in India. “Mentoring can help in all spheres of life. A life coach can motivate and help one to identify the path to take,” said Dr Sujit Paul, a Personal Coach based in Bengaluru.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Psychologist")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}