According to the World Health Organisation, one in every 100 persons suffers from schizophrenia.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every 100 persons suffers from schizophrenia, while psychiatrists estimate that 1.5% to 2% of people in Mumbai suffer from some psychiatric disorder. Schizophrenia is a debilitating brain disorder charatcterised by abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality.
A schizophrenic patient may constantly hear voices not heard by others or believe that people are reading their minds or controlling their thoughts making them fearful and withdrawn. For the families and caregivers of the people who suffer from schizophrenia, it is tough to shuttle between the make-believe world of the patient and the real world and also put up with their loved one being ridiculed and termed ‘insane’.
Dilaasa is a support group for family members of people suffering from schizophrenia. The group started off with just four members but now has ore than 800 members from across Maharashtra and meets on the second and the fourth Sunday every month. Over 150 family members of schizophrenic patients meet every Sunday from 11 am to one pm at Masina Hospital, Byculla to share their problems.
‘One unstable person in the family could create havoc within it,’ said Abu Vahanvaty, one of the founders of Dilaasa. ‘Though awareness is increasing, the stigma of schizophrenia still exists in our society. People equate schizophrenia to madness, while in fact, it is just another ailment like high blood pressure or diabetes,’ he added.
‘Dealing with this illness requires two things. First, the patient should accept that s/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.
“Actress Parveen Babi’s was also a case of acute clinical schizophrenia in Mumbai. But there are numerous such cases that go unreported,” said Dr YA Matcheswalla, head of department of psychiatry, Masina Hospital, which has a special 110-bed ward exclusively for psychiatric patients.
Basic symptoms
Change in behaviour of the child like change in sleeping, eating habits; symptoms like muttering, talking to himself, complaining of hearing voices, thought disorders; decline in the understanding and grasping capacity of the brain
Contact numbers
Masina Hospital: 022 6450 7171 / 98200 81884 / 98211 19603 / 93221 66670 / 98195 33496
NAMI India: Akila Charagi: 98203 40115 / Purti Hajela: 98204 00656 Web: www.namiindia.in; email id: info@namiindia.in
(If you know of or belong to a support group and would like it to be featured here, mail us at healthactionline@dnaindia.net)
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