The cost of living has been escalating, and there has not been much improvement on the salary front either! Aren't these factors enough to push up anxiety level and send people into depression?
The combination is deadly, say psychiatrists, and these are the major reasons why the number of anxiety and depression cases among public transport bus drivers is rising. Other kinds of pressures on the professional front like bad roads, snarling traffic, noise-level, etc also add to drivers' agony, making them mentally ill and prone to alcoholism.
Dr Parul Tank, head, psychiatrist dept, Rajawadi hospital and consultant psychiatrist, Fortis hospital, said: "It's the result of extensive stress and displacement of unresolved anger. Such people have a poor support system. This is commonly seen among people in high stressed jobs like the police, driving etc."
Dr Tank said the only way out was improving the working condition of drivers and periodically screening them for mental illness.
Dr Harish Shetty, senior psychiatrist at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, said: "Years ago, a BEST bus driver was beaten up by passengers and he was brought to us. While driving, he had suddenly started singing in a high tone. On investigation we found that he had been suffering from bipolar disorder and had manic depression."
Dr Shetty, who has treated at least 30 bus drivers in last 15 years, said: "The core problem of depression and mental illness among bus drivers is poor living conditions. Recently I treated a bus driver who was scared to go to work. He was extremely anxious and depressed about some accident occurring while at work. When his problems were analysed it was found that he had not been able to handle inflation. His son wanted to study biotechnology. He couldn't afford it, and that had led to anxiety and depression."
Dr Shetty said though BEST had medical officers whom they could consult, employees desisted because they were ashamed of acknowledging their illness. It's very important to have screening programmes to figure out symptoms of stress among drivers every three months at least, he said.
"Drivers must be medically examined periodically. High risk people—ones with hypertension and alcohol problem—should be treated on a priority basis. There should be a feedback option from passengers too," Dr Shetty said.
It's also important to pick up symptoms, psychiatrists say. Dr Tank said: "There should be screening programmes for people in high-stress jobs. It's very important to pick up symptoms. This will make life easier for everyone.
The symptoms
Not getting enough sleep; loss of appetite, low mood, outburst of anger; withdrawn behaviour; not socialising; frequent absenteeism from work; abuse of substances like alcohol.
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