• Tips for caregivers caring for a loved one battling a mental health illness

    Caregivers are often under immense stress and pressure. They have the responsibility to care for a loved one, and to also take care of themselves. Dr Kedar Tilwe, consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Mulund and Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi shares a few tips that can help. Caregivers have a dual role to play Often caregivers prioritise...

  • Busting common myths about depression

    There are many misconceptions about this mental illness. Psychologist Kanika Shah of Nimai Healthcare busts some of the common myths about depression, and also shares some facts about it. Myths about depression Here’s looking at some of the most common myths and the facts surrounding it. Depression is a personal weakness or a character flaw...

  • Kleptomania: Understanding this urge to steal

    Kleptomania is a psychological disorder. It can be described as an impulsive behavioural control disorder where an individual is unable to resist the urge to steal. Often, this act is spontaneous and not done for monetary benefit. These episodes of theft are often followed by an overwhelming sense of guilt, shame and anxiety. It can...

  • Binge eating disorder: Are you struggling with it?

    Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterised by recurring episodes of excessive consumption of large portions of food in short intervals. The individual experiences feelings of guilt, shame and distress over the lack of control over their eating behaviour. Not all ‘indulgent eating episodes’ are a sign of an ‘eating disorder’ There is a clear distinction...

  • Schizophrenia: A beginner’s guide to understanding it

    Symptoms of schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a psychosis, and a serious mental illness, according to the World Health Organisation. Its symptoms include… Hallucination – Hearing, seeing or feeling things that do not exist. Delusion – Suspicions or false beliefs with no evidence to support it. Abnormal behaviour – Neglecting oneself, an unkempt appearance, wandering around without...

  • Breaking up with a partner with mental health issues

    Deciding to break-up with a loved one is never an easy decision. It should ideally only happen when one or both partners sees no future together. Breaking up can take a toll on both partners physically and emotionally depending on how invested they were in the relationship. It gets harder if you have taken the...

  • Caring for someone with bipolar disorder

    Bipolar disorder is a mental illness where an individual experiences extreme mood swings – from high  to low, and low to high. These phases of mania and depression eventually can also take a toll on a caregiver.  What a caregiver should know about dealing with bipolar disorder Given the unpredictable nature  of someone suffering from...

  • Bipolar disorder: What it means? Symptoms and cure

    Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood shifts from high to low, and low to high. The low periods are categorised as depression, while the high periods are categorised as mania. Types of bipolar disorder According to clinical psychologist Seema Hingorani there are three types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I disorder –...