‘Look at me. I battled schizophrenia’

MUMBAI: Aarti Naik is a 21-year-old go-getter. She  works with a leading international food chain. “I handle corporate accounts for the entire country,” she says with a hint of pride in her voice.

What makes this youngster's achievement extra-special is the fact that she was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of eight. “I suffered from a serious depression. My illness was so acute that even doctors gave up hope,” recalls Naik, whose grandmother, too, suffered from the disorder.

“I was unaware of the illness till the age of 13. But I remember being the ‘weird’ girl at school — my classmates simply didn’t understand why my behaviour was so erratic,” she says.

After several years of medication, counselling, and treatment, Naik has emerged a victorious survivor at the age of 19. “Who says it’s not possible to handle schizophrenia? Take a look at me,” she says with conviction.

The outspoken youngster is now helping other schizophrenics to overcome the disease by presenting her own example. “I have not taken any medication for the past two years and am doing very well,” she adds.

But not all are as strong and determined as Naik. Rajesh Dode (name changed), 27, was a brilliant advertising professional. But three years ago life took an ugly turn. Rajesh started accusing his wife of trying to poison him. When his parents intervened, he became hostile and gradually turned into a recluse. Diagnosed with schizo-affected psychosis, Rajesh is now under psychiatric treatment. “Medication has helped him a lot. He has some good days and some bad days. It needs a lot of adjustment from the family members,” says Ramesh Dode, Rajesh's father.

Unfortunately, Rajesh's wife couldn’t cope with her husband’s paranoia and separated from him a year ago. A determined Rajesh is slowly putting together the pieces of his life. “He had to quit his job, but he is now a script writer and works from home,” says Dode.

“Dealing with this illness requires two things. First, the patient should accept that he needs help. Second, friends, colleagues, and family should lend complete and unconditional support to the patient,” says Akila Charagi, founder-trustee, Nodal Agency for the Mentally Ill (Nami-India), who was diagnosed with the illness and emerged a survivor.
 
“It is important to avoid being surrounded by negative emotions, which could trigger a relapse. Painting, music, sports — anything that will divert the mind is useful,” she says. Charagi sought comfort in painting.

“Several schizophrenics are immensely talented. If their talent is suitably honed, they are capable of reaching great heights in their personal lives and careers,” says Charagi. Nami is organising an event on World Schizophrenia Awareness Day at HELP library where eminent psychiatrists will talk about the illness.