Dr. Sachin Arora

Adolescence and teenage are a very critical period in a person's life. A phase to lead a carefree, spirited life, adolescence is when you slowly start developing a character and a personality. A lot of changes take place in the body (internally as well as externally) during this period. However, as disturbing as it can get, this period has also witnessed an exponential rise in the number of people battling depression and other mental issues.

From failed relationship to school bullying, harassment (often sexually) to a disturbed family life and academic pressure, the trigger can be anything. There is a sudden change in their behavior. Some individuals get so affected that they cease to be the person they used to be. To make matters worse, in many cases, this change goes unnoticed by the parents and the family members.

As in adults, mental issues in teenagers and adolescents is not a completely lost case. The condition can be improved (fully cured). What is important is an early diagnosis followed by the treatment. Some of the common symptoms or behavioral changes that an adolescent or a teenager with a psychiatric problem may exhibit include:

1. Extreme and frequent mood swings. The teenager may suddenly act cranky or remain agitated all the time. The person may suddenly get extremely emotional.
2. The person detaches himself or herself from the outside world, friends, and family. They avoid social gatherings and public interactions as much as they can.
3. A sudden and unexplained change in body weight (sudden weight gain or weight loss).
4. They feel tired and sleepy all the time.
5. There can also be a change in their eating habits (loss of appetite or food binging).
6. Their overall performance (both academic as well as extra curricular) goes for a toss.
7. In some extreme and unattended cases, the adolescent or teenager may take to drug and alcohol abuse.

Do not take the matter lightly if your child shows any of the above symptoms. Talk to them. The child needs your support the most. Be patient in dealing with them. Depending on the severity, seek medical assistance. A timely medical intervention can work wonders for your child.

In addition to the treatment and counseling sessions, as parents, you too can help the child to cope with the situation better.

1. Maintain a positive and cheerful environment at home.
2. Do not leave your child alone all the time.
3. Do not over pressurize your child to excel academically. Appreciate them, no matter how small an achievement.
4. Disciplining your child is important, but know where to draw the line.
5. Go on family vacations. Give your child the time and attention they deserve.

Your child is just going through a rough phase. All they need at this point is your love, care, and attention. Motivate and encourage your child.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Substance use among adolescents is on the rise and is happening at a very young age. A study conducted by NIDA and SAMHSA portrays some alarming statistics. The percentage of substance use among school kids has gone up by 11.33 percent. This is close to a 60 percent rise compared to the previous decade. Around 9 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys meet the adult diagnostic criteria for alcohol use. Furthermore, 20 percent of high school students were found to be daily smokers. Studies also found that while the percentage of overall abuse of the drug is steadily decreasing over the years, the availability of drug has increased to a considerable extent.

The consequences:

1. Mortality: Motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk people have increased in the past couple of decades. Road accidents under an increased influence of alcohol have risen by a staggering 16 percent as per a CDC report. Annually, the country witnesses close to one million road accidents by adolescents and young people in the age group of 20. This is by far the biggest economic loss – a loss of productivity to the society.
2. STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) - The sexual health hazards of adolescents remain high due to the possibility of acquiring STDs. Substance use by adolescents and young adults often leads to unprotected sex with the partner, choosing multiple sex partners and choosing partners who have a high potential of STDs. Studies have shown that young females in the age group of 15-19 suffer from gonorrhea and those in the age group of 20-24 suffer from syphilis due to high usage of substance.
3. Crime and juvenile delinquency: There is a strong co-relation between substance use and conduct disorder among young people. Many young individuals entering the juvenile justice suffers from an array of problem ranging from substance use disorder, impaired emotion, sexual victimization, physical abuse etc. There is a growing trend of criminal activities among young people who are involved with substance use.
4. Developmental problems: Multiple studies conducted by the Newcomb and Bentler (1989), Havighurst (1972) and Baumrind and Moselle (1985) have proved that substance use is a major barrier to the development for young people. Activities such as establishing a career, dating, raising and bearing a child, building a relationship etc. are affected because of the way people experience feelings.

Treatments: Administering treatment to a young guy suffering from substance use is of paramount importance. It helps to ensure the possible future abuse of drugs. While there are many treatment options, the one that is applicable to a drug addict depends largely on the present condition and the advancement of the effect of the drug on the body. Most doctors start the treatment with medication and lifestyle changes and suggest community service. Self-help groups also help a great deal.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Every couple, married or unmarried, has their share of ups and downs. It is through these thorns that they find their bed of roses. A little salt and a little sugar are what makes a marriage sweet and enduring. Where there is love, there will be fights and tussles. The problems arise when things get blown out of proportion. Some of the complications have the potential to spell doom in their marital life. Mentioned below are such marital problems that couples often go through:

1. Trust that goes for a toss: Trust is an important thread that holds a relationship together. Without this, a relationship is as good as dead. Some couples (either one or both the partners) have trust issues. They are just not able to trust their partners. To make things worse, in some cases, the distrust is influenced by no genuine reasons. If there is any problem, discuss the matter with your partner rather than brooding over it. A small act of yours can go a long way to normalize things and thus save the marriage.
2. Stress, a menace best avoided: Stress, both personal as well as professional can affect you and your marital life in ways you can’t even imagine. In addition to the general physical and mental health, stress and anxiety can also have an impact on your sexual life. Work related stress is quite normal but don’t let that affect your personal life. Take a short break when the stress gets unbearable. A fresh and relaxed mind and body are what is needed to bring the spark back in your life (marital life, to be more precise).
3. Do not suffocate with love: Love is what got you both together. Don't let that be the reason for the discord. Your partner means the world to you, but they also have a world of their own. The sooner you understand this, the better it is. Most of the problems in a marriage stem from this lack of space. The relationship is no longer healthy. It causes a lot of stress and anxiety in the relationship. Give your partner the space that they deserve. Your relationship will grow from strength to strength.
4. When ego wins over your love: Ego can wreak havoc in your marital life. Ego is like a poison that can spoil your relationship even before you can realize it. While giving each other space is important, spending quality time together is also essential for a healthy relationship. Many people keep themselves so busy that they start drifting away from their partner. Many people after marriage start taking their partners for granted. This attitude can be dangerous for your relationship. For a successful marriage, mutual respect is important.

If you and your partner are unable to solve the differences, go for professional help. A counseling on time can help save a beautiful relationship from biting the dust. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Psychiatrist.

Hello, everybody. By means of this platform of Lybrate, I hereby introduce myself. I am Dr SAchin Arora, consultant psychiatrist in East Delhi, Metro Hospital, Preet Vihar. Basically, I am psychiatry faculty, a psychiatrist educator. I am teaching at Delhi Academy of Medical sciences to medical graduates and I am practising here. By means of this platform, first of all, I would like to thank Lybrate for providing me with this platform. I want to tell that, we here at the Metro Hospital as the consultant Psychiatrist, I provide treatment for Psychiatric Disorders.

Now, the Psychiatric Disorders, as we say that people have a lot of Stigma.

Logo ko ek Stigma hai psychiatric disorders ka treatment lene me. OPD me aane me ek hesitation hai, to me ye manta hu ki Lybrate ke platform pe jese ki online consultation hai, text consultation hai. Us hisaab se people are able to approach me better. Aur is platform ke through, I want to tell you that Psychiatrist illness sirf aur sirf stress ki wajah se nahi hota hai. Aisa nahi hai ki sirf stress ki wajah se Psychiatric illness ho raha hai, bohot saare psychiatric illness ka biological reason bhi hota hai. Aur aisa bhi nahi hai ki apko har Psychiatric illness ke liye dawai he khani padegi. Bohot saari Psychiatric illness bina dawai ke bhi hoti hai aur bina dawai ke bhi iska management possible hai.

Isliye ye ek accha platform hai ki aap pehle se he apni problem doctor se discuss karke baat kar sakte hai ki "kya ye problem manageable on medicines hai ya manageable on counselling hai", "kya iske lie personla consultation ki requirement hai". In sab cheezo ke liye me Lybrate ko bohot accha platform manta hun.

The main thing I want to tell you here is that don't hesitate to consult. If you have a problem that doesn't mean ki koi disease he ho.

What is a Psychiatric disease?

A variation from the normal. Lekin ye variation from the normal jo hai, thoda bohot family problems, marital problems, education problems. Because I am an educator, I have taught 40,000+ doctors in last 1 year, preparing for post graduate medical entrance. To bohot sare students mere paas aarahe hai problems lekar like concentration issues, sleep related issues, anxiety issues. Aisa zaruri nahi ki jo bhi patient mere paas aata hai aap use psychiatric patient kahe ya pagal kahe. This is the only message I want to convey through this video.

For any question you can contact me throgh Lybrate.

Doctors are our real saviors. From physical problems to mental issues, a doctor is needed to guide us all along. The medical professional can be quite challenging and demanding. Dealing with numerous patients and their problems every day is no joke. It can leave a person completely exhausted and burnt out. Doctors are also human beings. All these activities and daily struggle often take a toll, both on their physical and mental health. Unable to cope with the stress, many doctors (especially the young physicians) get into depression. They suffer from different mental issues (minor to serious).

Of late, there has been a mercurial rise in the number of doctors suffering from mental issues (stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, to name a few). As per a survey, women practitioners are at a slightly greater risk of facing mental issues than their male counterparts. To make matters worse, many doctors live in self-denial. They just refuse to accept the fact that there can be some problem (mental) with them. Many contemplate treatment as they fear this can jeopardize their career forever. They feel they will be socially and professionally isolated. But delaying the treatment or counseling will not help either. Like any other patients, they too need love, care, and most importantly, proper assistance.

1. The first and the most important step is to accept the fact gracefully that there is some problem.
2. Do not shy away from seeking an expert opinion or assistance. If the need arises, go for counseling. It is for your good.
3. Your patients are your priority but do not ignore your health in the process. Take short breaks to avoid exhaustion and professional monotony. Go on a small vacation.
4. In trying to achieve professional excellence, do not ignore your family. Spend at least an hour of quality time with your family every day. Spending time with your loved ones can be a great stress buster.
5. Try and stay relaxed as much as you can. Meditation, music therapy, yoga, light exercise are important for the mind and the body to function normally.
6. Take care of your diet. Try and include foods that will enhance your mood and lift your spirits.
7. For doctors who are into drinking and smoking, it is advised to keep it within healthy limits.
8. If there is anything that is bothering you, just let it out. Do not suppress your emotions.
9. Try and follow a healthy sleep routine (though difficult for doctors). At least get 6 hours of sleep daily.
10. Do not isolate yourself from other people. Mental issues are not a very big deal. Being a doctor, you should know this better. Most importantly, accept and love yourself.

Anxiety and mental issues can affect anyone, irrespective of their profession. The sooner you accept this, the faster you recover. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Psychiatrist.