Dr. Vikas Jain

Separation or divorce is never a smooth or pleasant experience for children. It, in fact, is a particularly sad and stressful time for them. Children, regardless of how old they are, tend to feel confused, shocked and agitated at the prospect of their parents parting ways. Though it is normal for every child to be worried and anxious about his or her parents’ divorce, it is the responsibility of a parent to make the ordeal less traumatic for them.

Here are a few tips that can help you reduce the emotional burden for your child.

Be honest
Children are entitled to be aware of the reasons due to which their parents have decided to part ways. One should also keep in mind that giving long-winded reasons may confuse them. Parents should make the conversation simple yet honest. Parents should also tell them that while they may not be able to get along together, as parents they will never stop loving their children and won’t get separated from them. You should also tell your children that you love them no matter how cliché it may sound.

Listen to your children
It goes without saying that children feel a heavy sense of loss during the divorce of their parents. Thus, parents should encourage their children to approach them and talk freely with them. When they do approach you as parents, you should diligently listen to them. They may want to vent their innermost feelings, which could constitute sadness, frustration, even agitation or any other emotion that they may be experiencing. Some children may even have difficulty in expressing how they feel. As parents, you may also help them find the right words and motivate them to talk.

Acknowledge that they are having difficulties
While parents can do little to reduce their pain and anxiety, they can still acknowledge their problems rather than dismissing them as trivial and baseless. Parents should make their children understand that they can empathize with them which, in turn, can build trust and inter-dependence with the children. If your children are not quite young, they may have questions and concerns regarding what has happened, and you should try to be as straightforward and honest as possible while answering them.

Be patient while reassuring them
Children may behave in a perplexing way. They may show that they have understood you on one day, and they may have thousands of questions on the following day. You should always try to treat your children’s misunderstandings with utmost patience. You must always remind them they have no part to play in their parents’ divorce and that as parents, you will continue to love them always.

Make sure that your words and actions remain consistent throughout. Also, ensure that you give enough time to come to terms with the fact of their parents will no longer be together as a family. This will help them heal. You must offer them the support, care, and love they need.
 

Suicidal thoughts, often known as suicidal ideation, refer to developing thoughts or desires to commit suicide. Having suicidal thoughts means experiencing a fleeting consideration or detailed planning to commit suicide.

Usually, excessive stress, depression or lot of emotional distress leads to developing such thoughts. However, there are various treatment options that can help one out, the psychiatric therapy being one of them.
Continue reading to know more about the significance of therapy in getting over suicidal thoughts.

The risks can be assessed
Therapy sessions help in evaluating the severity of the condition. Typically, therapy is targeted towards helping the person having suicidal thoughts to deal with the condition and understand why the thoughts are being caused. But, along with treating the patient, psychiatric professionals also analyze the risks that the person possesses by analyzing his or her response to the therapies. Patients with suicidal thoughts not only threaten to kill or hurt themselves but also exhibit revenge-seeking behaviour, and therefore, therapy targets to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviour.

The cause can be identified
From medications to counselling sessions, there are several types of psychiatric treatments available to treat a patient with suicidal thoughts. Apart from the therapy consisting of medications, it is the conversation sessions between the therapists and patients that give positive results.

A person suffering from suicidal thoughts needs to speak with someone who understands him or her. The primary purpose of talking is to identify the underlying factors or the reasons behind the patients’ suicidal thoughts, which helps in treating the condition fast and more effectively.

Every patient is addressed separately
Sometimes, patients need more than a combination of drugs to get over their suicidal thoughts. And, when it comes to psychiatric therapy, the psychiatrist justly analyzes the need and offers the necessary treatment to the patient as per the individual requirements.

Every person is different, and two people suffering from suicidal thoughts may have completely different underlying causes. While a history of family trouble may cause one's suicidal thoughts, another's thoughts may be the result of financial struggles. The best psychiatrists treat every patient separately, as each case has something unique to it that needs to be resolved for the patients’ recovery.

Suicidal thoughts, in the majority of cases, may not lead to the final act of committing suicide but includes developing the thoughts and planning suicide in detail. But for some people, it may make oneself indulge in poor lifestyle choices, such as drug and alcohol, or even hurting oneself and others. Therefore, consulting a psychiatrist is crucial as they may help manage such thoughts before they lead to any serious consequences.

The tendency for the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which is more popularly known as ADHD, during the months of pregnancy is growing with each passing day. The main reason behind this is the increased exposure to the digital devices. This disorder is characterized by some specific characteristics, the most common ones being the inability to concentrate on anything and being hyperactive at all times of the day. People tend to show impulsive actions in all cases.

But the good news is that the researchers have come up with some possible solutions to ADHD during pregnancy with the help of which it can be prevented-

1. Curb the intake of sugars: One of the main steps that you can take towards preventing the development of ADHD during your pregnancy is going on a low sugar diet. Several types of research have proved that when the mother has a high sugar diet, it directly correlates to the development of ADHD. The reason behind this is quite simple. It is because there is a particular gene in the human body called the IGF2 and this gene is responsible for the development of the brain. But when there is a high amount of sugar in the diet, the IGF2 levels are compromised which ultimately leads to the development of ADHD. So, don’t take too much of processed proteins and stick to a healthy diet. If necessary, approach a dietician who can give you a proper diet chart to follow.
2. Get the proper probiotics for yourself: Probiotics have a major role in many of the health conditions and one of them is the development of ADHD in pregnancy. Adding the necessary probiotics to a pregnant woman is not only good for her overall health but also enhances the growth and development of the fetus. Not only does the application of the right probiotics prevents the chances of development of ADHD in newborns, but it also reduces the risk of development of conditions like autism, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, and even schizophrenia.
3. Keep your cell phones away from you: All forms of digital devices create a heavy impact on the fetus leading to ADHD in many cases. Mobile phones are no doubt an important part of your lifestyle but you can keep them away from yourself when they are not needed, especially, keep them away from your pockets.
4. Drink filtered water: Unfiltered water contains many chemicals and other unhygienic substances. You should refrain from consuming unfiltered water especially in your months of pregnancy.

In the months of pregnancy, when your body is vulnerable to the outside factors that are harmful, you must stay extra vigilant and take all the precautions necessary to ensure that your child does not develop ADHD. Maintain your diet and don’t skip your checkups. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Are you confused about whether you are a sex addict or not? Well, loving to have sex and being a sex addict are two completely different things and if you want to know the difference then you must look out for the signs of sex addiction.

Signs of Sex Addiction

1. One of the common signs of sex addiction is the urge to masturbate at most times. And it means literally at all times. If you find yourself doing it before going out to work, after lunch or even before sleep, then you might be a sex addict.
2. If you feel a constant crisis in your life, this could also be a symbol of being a sex addict. If you are constantly changing your sex partners and still find yourself in a crisis, then something is really not ok.
3. Thirdly, if you care only about yourself when it comes to sex, it is another sign that you are a sex addict. You might be a caring person in other cases, but when it comes to sex, you tend to become selfish and start exploiting others.
4. If you are having sex without the consent of your partner and do not think about the consequences attached with it, it is a sign that you are a sex addict.

How Can You Deal With Sex Addiction?
Sex addiction might seem impossible to deal with but there are ways which can help you out.

1. The first step towards dealing with sex addiction is that you should know the difference between healthy and unhealthy sex. You should be able to differentiate between the both.
2. Avoid the places that can trigger your addiction towards sex. You are the only person who will know your triggers. If it is a bar or a pub, then avoid going to those places, instead go on a dinner with your loved ones.
3. Try engaging in activities that interest you as this can help you get over the urge to have sex. These will also help you stay active and be more productive.
4. Cutting ties with contacts that help you fulfill your sexual desires can be a great way to manage sex addiction.

Always remember that your loved ones are always there for you. Confide in a close friend regarding your addiction and he or she will help you out. Sex addiction is not hard to overcome if you have the willpower to do so.
If the above-mentioned tips do not help, seek assistance from a professional.

Being confident is an essential asset that every person must possess to complete his/her responsibilities with the best efficiency. The feeling of inferiority can adversely affect one’s progress and can bring a host of health problems as well.

Inferiority complex is a condition where an individual develops feelings of self-worthlessness or inadequacy due to supposed or actual inferiority in one or several spheres. Developing thoughts of insecurity, uncertainty, and aggressive behaviour often characterizes doubts about oneself in some people.

Severe inferiority complex can demotivate a person tremendously and hamper his/her day to day life. In case someone near and dear to you is suffering from inferiority complex, here are a few ways you can help them overcome this phase of feeling inferior to others.

1. Tell them to confront their feelings: One of the best ways to help your loved ones in getting over inferiority complex is to make them face their feelings. Yes, facing one's feelings can help them have a better insight into the underlying causes of developing such thoughts. Whether it's due to some issues during childhood or an inability to meet the expectations of others, confronting one's feelings is the first step to get rid of inferiority complex.
2. Prevent them from thinking negative: Make sure to prevent your loved ones from continuously having negative thoughts or talking negative things about life. Instead, make it a point to indulge with them in positive, constructive and motivational talks. Showing the patients how loved or needed they are can help them get over with an inferiority complex to some extent.
3. Help them to build their self-confidence: Talking with your loved ones about the things they are capable of doing and encouraging them to do the things they love to do can also be beneficial for preventing inferiority complex. By having a conversation with them, one can know about the person's deepest fears and what's troubling them and can also help them in retrieving their lost confidence.
4. Suggest opting for professional help: A person suffering from inferiority complex may not want to opt for medical help right away as he may fail to understand that he is suffering from a complex condition that requires psychiatric help. Therefore, it’s up to you to guide them and make them understand that there’s no harm in having a consultation with a medical professional who is deft in handling such psychiatric issues. Depending on the condition of the patient, he or she may need to take medications. Therefore, consulting a psychiatrist is crucial.

Remember, people suffering from inferiority complex may or may not show symptoms like aloofness, feeling anxious, lack of concentration or negative behavioural changes. In case your loved ones show any severe signs and symptoms of inferiority complex, seek professional help immediately as if the condition is left untreated for long, it may lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental disorders.

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

Dementia refers to the progressive loss of memory in a human being. It does not refer to any particular disease. It is rather a cumulative representation of symptoms which signify that the person is losing his or her memory. Dementia occurs in seven stages. Read on to read more about them:

1. In the first stage, there is no cognitive decline and the person is mentally sound. There is no memory loss as well.
2. In the second stage, there is a very mild cognitive decline leading to normal forgetfulness that is often associated with progressing age.
3. In the third stage, there is a mild cognitive decline. The person has an increased forgetfulness and may find it difficult to concentrate on things.
4. In the fourth stage, there is moderate cognitive decline and the person starts forgetting even the most recent events. They cannot even travel alone or manage their own finances.
5. In the fifth stage, there is moderately severe cognitive decline. The person going through this stage often requires help even with their daily activities. People tend to forget even the most common things like phone and email passwords.
6. In the sixth stage, there is severe cognitive decline. This stage is also called middle dementia and there is prominent memory loss. People cannot even count from 1 to 10. Their speech becomes slurry. They also start having delusions.
7. In the seventh stage, there is very severe cognitive decline. This stage is also called late dementia. The psychomotor skills are also lost at this stage and the person may not even be able to walk properly.

Some of the early signs of dementia are listed below:

1. In the initial days of dementia, the person usually tends to get confused when it comes to choosing the right words. This makes them take much longer time to conclude their speech.
2. There might also be a change in the mood of the person.

Depression is also one of the early signs.

1. The person will have a tendency to forget even the most recent events that took place in his or her life. This means that they might remember what happened ten years before but they might not remember what they did in the morning.
2. Early signs also include failure to sense directions. People often tend to forget their addresses and the landmarks and thus become lost when they travel alone.
3. Confusion is also one of the common signs and this is directly correlated to the loss of memory because when a person cannot remember familiar faces, it leads to a lot of confusion within his own mind.

So, if you suspect that someone in your house is suffering from dementia, then you must look out for these early signs and seek medical help immediately. Early treatment can keep the condition from worsening.

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

An eating disorder, mostly appears when your food habits reach levels of extremity. Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia are two main and the most common eating disorders found in men and women. One is the lower extreme while the other is the higher extreme in terms of food intake.

1. Anorexia: People who are affected with anorexia think of themselves to be very overweight in spite of actually being very slim and thin. Anorexia inflicted people consume less than a thousand calories per day. They exercise rigorously and try to find more ways to lose weight. They vomit a lot due to the insufficient diet and suffer more. The treatment for anorexia nervosa generally includes a mix of mental treatment, and regulated weight gain program. An anorexia patient should seek treatment as early as possible. The best ways to deal with anorexia are:

Psychological Treatment: Various psychological treatments can be used to cure anorexia of different stages. They are cognitive analytic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, focal psychodynamic therapy. A family's response is also an important psychological factor. Proper encouragement and effort should be given.

Weight gain program: This measure will guide an anorexic patient to improve his diet habits and slowly gain weight. A patient is monitored carefully, traits are recognized and a likewise diet pattern is given.

2. Bulimia: Bulimia nervosa is another category of eating disorder. The main characteristic of this disorder is  overeating in the highest level. Binge eating is observed, followed by attempts by the affected individual to lose weight. A bulimic patient is constantly trapped in the cycle of overeating and then thinking about losing weight.

Maybe you do not like the idea of binge eating and fear getting obese, but once affected by bulimia a patient cannot follow this and binge eats. Later, they adopt extreme measures for losing weight. The primary methods to deal with bulimia are:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or talk therapy includes examining your bulimia and related issues with an expert. It is proven that these sorts of psychotherapies restrict the symptoms of bulimia. The three modes of psychotherapy include- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Family-based therapy and Interpersonal psychotherapy.
• Medications: Medicines such as anti-depressants can be taken by bulimia patients along with psychotherapy. Prozac is a recommended and effective medicine.
• Proper diet plan: For bulimia affected patients, having a proper balanced diet is very essential. A diet expert should be consulted, who will make the most essential food pattern for you. Undertaking a weight loss program is also recommended.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia should be avoided, and you should know the best ways to deal with them.

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

OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder, which can be indicated through obsession, having pervasive thoughts or thoughts, which may upset you, having certain compulsions, and practicing certain rituals, which may help to control or manage your obsessions. It is a disorder, which cannot be cured, but can be controlled with the help of treatment. Mostly, OCD is considered to be a lifelong disorder. It often circulates around the fear of germs or sickness and around keeping order and maintaining patterns. A person suffering from OCD can often be extremely annoying. Hence here are a few tips you can use to deal with OCD:

1. Understand OCD: The first step towards dealing with OCD is to know what you have to deal with. Gather as much information as you can about OCD and also read up about how you can overcome it. You need to know the symptoms of OCD so you can identify the disorder. Almost everyone suffers from OCD at one point of their lives. Hence, it is extremely important to understand OCD in order to treat it.

2. Work with your compulsions: Do not get petrified about your compulsions if you are planning to overcome your OCD, instead work with them. Try not to encourage their development. If you are worrying about whether you have switched of the lights, try and develop a mental picture of you doing it. If you are able to get a clear picture, then you have, otherwise you can go and switch it off. Another option is to maintain a list where you tick off the activity once you have done it so that you don't have to worry about it later on. 

3. Maintain a journal: Maintaining a journal will help you curb your fears and negative thoughts. Write down all your obsessive thought and reflect on how they are affecting you and whether they are worth your worry or time. Gradually you will see that you are able to control these thoughts and will be able to push away any negativity which comes along with them.

4. Remind yourself about the good in you: Make this your regular practice. Do not undermine yourself, instead make yourself feel good. This will help you to get over the fact that you have done something wrong in your daily activities (like not turning the gas off when you actually have) and that wrong is going to harm people.

Chronic OCD will require therapy and medical assistance. Hence if you are able to detect the signs at an early level and are able to adopt the above measures to control it, then going to a doctor might not be necessary.

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

The first question when you greet somebody is 'how are you' and this often refers to our state of well-being. While most answers would be great, awesome or good, we usually think of how we are doing physically. While some of us may talk about physical conditions (say things like feverish, have a cold, etc.), not many would think of talking about mental health conditions. However, mental health is very important for overall well-being.

Can you think of someone who is severely depressed or anxious all the time and have a good physical health? Chances are very bleak, and if you consider the overall health as a mix of mental and physical balance, this is not possible. Read on to understand how important mental health is and why you should start paying more attention to it.

1. Improved physical health: If someone is in a stressed state, it is obvious that they would not be able to do the activities they enjoy. Being affected mentally also leads to reduced immunity and sleep disturbances, making the person prone to infections and other disorders. Stress is one of the main risk factors for chronic medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
2. Improved prognosis: Most often, doctors focus on treating the physical aspects of a person’s health. However, with recent emphasis on mental health, more and more doctors are looking at wholesome measures to improve a person’s health. Results show that when a person’s mental health is also addressed, the physical ailments respond very well.
3. Improved productivity: People with unattended mental health disorders often resort to absence from work and/or school, can have financial instability, be homeless and can fall repeatedly. Being mentally healthy provides overall changed perspective of life and therefore improves productivity.
4. Improved personal relationships: Children of people affected with mental illness are prone to neglect, abuse, rejection, and behavioural issues. There is also social isolation, which may lead into adulthood, and these children may also have emotional health problems. Others in the close circle including spouses, siblings, parents, close friends and colleagues would be clearly affected by a person who is mentally unhealthy.
5. Social effects: These people are highly prone to social crimes like rape, murder, theft, violence, etc. They may not be able to afford their treatment and/or resort to these crimes to assert themselves.
6. Improved quality of life: Life expectancy is higher in people who are mentally healthy. Even with mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, this is reduced, and the chances of a happier, healthier life are reduced.

Whatever the effect, mental health needs to be addressed as equally as we do physical problems, using medications, counselling, or lifestyle changes. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a psychiatrist and ask a free question.

Symptoms for Bipolar disorder varies from patient to patient. Bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 can vary in terms of signs and symptoms. Both diseases have a different set of symptoms and they are diagnosed according to the merit of the symptoms.

Bipolar 1
Bipolar 1 is characterised by a manic episode. This may be followed by a hypomanic or depressive instance. Symptoms of mania can cause major impairment in life and extreme cases may require hospitalisation. Bipolar 1 patients can suffer from psychosis as well.

Bipolar 2
Bipolar 2 is characterised by a hypomanic instance that lasts for at least four days and one depressive instance lasting for a minimum of two weeks. Bipolar 2 doesn’t involve a manic episode. Frequent mood swings and violent behaviour can be major challenge in a patient’s life.

Warning signs of manic and hypomanic behaviour:
a. Quick passing thoughts
b. Unusual talkativeness
c. Distraction
d. Increased social activity
e. Inflated sense of self-esteem

Symptoms of bipolar disorder

1. Anxious distress: Apprehensions about not finishing a task on time, feeling of restlessness, feeling of losing control, difficulty in concentrating due to distress, fearing an awful event will occur in the near future, etc., are key symptoms of anxiety distress.
2. Melancholic features: Patients suffering from bipolar disorder like to be left alone. They may not seek pleasure in any activity and even good things may not have much effect on them.
3. Catatonia: This is a condition wherein, a person stops reacting to the environment. Not speaking and holding unusual body positions are some signs of these symptoms. There might be a tendency of mimicking too.
4. Psychosis: This is one of the classical symptoms of bipolar disease. It is characterised by hallucination, constant depression and delusions.
5. Seasonal pattern: There is a pattern of manic, hypomanic and depressive episodes throughout the year. The pattern might change within a month or season.
6. Rapid cycling: The number of mood swings can exceed four or more times in a single year.
7. Peripartum onset: This is a condition where bipolar disorder symptoms are witnessed in a pregnant woman during pregnancy or within the four weeks following delivery.

Symptoms in children: It is difficult to find symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens. Along with bipolar disorder, kids are most often diagnosed with other mental health problems as well. The problems can result from stress, trauma or chemical imbalance of the brain. Perhaps the biggest symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens are their frequent mood swings, chronic depression and feeling of despair. There might be a tendency of oversleeping as well. Reaching out to a doctor or professional help is very necessary for cases related to children and teens. 

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