Ovihams – Page 2

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24/Jul/2024

Becoming a parent is a delightful experience, but even happy experiences can be stressful. Parenting involves lot of responsibility as you are trying to shape, nurture and even protect your little one to develop into a healthy and successful individual. In their pursuit, some parents try way too hard and unintentionally end up limiting or even causing damage to their child’s vulnerable sense of self. There is NOTHING CALLED PERFECT PARENTING and you keep learning from your own childhood, how your parents brought you up, and how you are handling your child now. It is a constant learning process and the journey can be made more beneficial for the parents as well as the child by implementing some of the following ways:-

Spending quality time with your child: Quality time refers to the time spent with your child in some way important. It is time that is set aside for paying full and undivided attention to your child. Spending quality time with your kids is of great importance as it helps in strengthening the bond between you and your kid, understanding your child better and making your child feel important and loved. The behavioral issues your child is showing maybe because he or she wants more of your time.

Positive reinforcement for promoting good behaviours: Appreciating and encouraging your child’s good behaviour and even acknowledging his/her efforts is of utmost importance in shaping your child’s self-confidence.

Ignoring negative behaviours to obliterate them: Sometimes, as a parent, you need to overlook the mistakes or bad behaviours shown by your kid to annihilate them. This means, scolding your child upon failure or discouraging him that he is not good enough as he lacks good behaviour can do more harm than good to your child, and in no way can this make them a better person. Sometimes, ignoring a few of their mistakes, failures or bad behaviour can help them in overcoming their drawbacks. Behaviours that are not harmful either to the child or to anybody else can be ignored to an extent.

Healthy and honest communication between parents and children: The parents should indulge in regular conversation with their children as it helps the parents as well as the children to understand each other’s points. It can be of great benefits if the parents first calmly listen to their children first before telling them anything to do.

Shared responsibilities at home: Shared responsibilities at home and making your child accountable for looking after certain tasks at home; be it keeping his/her room clean or watering the plants daily, etc. ensures the child develops into a responsible being. It should always be kept in mind that children are very keen observers and they learn a lot from what happens around them. Thus, parents need to be careful with what they say, how they say and how they behave especially in front of the child. If you expect your child not to spend too much time playing games on the mobile or tablet, you need to do the same first!

Ensuring a functional and healthy relationship between you and your child is the best way to boost the sense of commitment, consideration, communication, and cooperation. Also, a healthy connection between you and your child can help in reducing conflicts and stress while encouraging the young minds to make healthy choices in life and set strong individual values.

A healthy Parent-Child relationship goes a long way in ensuring that we live in a peaceful and harmonious society that values fellow living beings, is in sync with nature, and gifts a better environment to its future generations than what it inherited from the previous one!

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Humans invest in technology as it lessens human effort and saves precious time. The technological advancements have made it possible to access almost anything just through a click or sense of touch. Machines are becoming smarter and people are becoming dependent on them. The technological advancements and easy accessibility are coming at a cost; a cost that most of us are not even aware of paying. Internet addiction is a reality! It is as real as alcohol addiction or drug addiction.

What is Phone/Internet Addiction?

All of us are aware of addictive substances like alcohol, cigarette and other drugs. In addition to these, there are certain behavioural addictions as well and phone addiction is one type of it. Although the DSM and ICD (classificatory systems of Mental Illness) do not classify it as a disorder yet, the way things are shaping up it will soon be included as extensive research is being done in this area. Just like alcohol or nicotine, excessive use of mobile phones (internet) also leads to excessive release of Dopamine which is the primary neurochemical responsible for feelings of pleasure. Every notification, like or comment on your post acts as a reward, which reinforces the action of posting something or being more active online. When this is repeated again and again, it slowly starts following the addiction pathway as factors like Preoccupation, Craving, Increased tolerance, and Inability to cut down set to creep in. Variable reinforcement makes this pattern more resistant to extinction.

Is it masking a mental health disorder?

When a person seems unhealthily focused on phone use (especially online games), to the point of social isolation, the behaviour may be, rather than addiction, a product of other mental health problems. Studies indicate social anxiety, ADHD, learning difficulty, and even depression to be closely linked in cases with excessive phone use. Initially it was thought that only children are affected by this problem, but as we look around us we realise that even adults are hooked on to their phones for varied reasons.

Effects of phone/internet addiction

The effects are manifested in both physical and emotional symptoms, in addition to interpersonal problems. Some of the emotional symptoms are – irritability, impatience, impaired sense of time, inability to keep a schedule, anxiety, etc. Some of the physical symptoms are – backache, headache, disturbed sleep, weight gain or loss, blurred vision, cervical pains, etc. As people are spending more and more time in the virtual world, their bonds with real people are getting severed. Virtual stories and constant texting are slowly but surely squeezing out the fun and essence of face-to-face conversations. At present, it feels imperative to disconnect (no internet) to reconnect with our real lives!

Self-help Strategies

Recognize the triggers that make you reach for your phone. It could be boredom, loneliness, work or even just the thought of missing out on something. Identify them, and find healthier and more efficient ways of handling them.
Look for in-person social interactions, not just virtual relations. Humans are social beings and isolation or even virtual relations are not healthy for us.
Develop healthy coping mechanisms and share your feelings, concerns and experiences with your loved ones. Build a strong social support system around you.
Set goals for when you can use your phone; schedule specific times of the day for using your phone.
While having meals, keep the phone away from yourself and be mindful of what and how much you are eating. Enjoy your food and chew it properly.
Mute the notifications so that it does not distract you while you are working and it also reduces the temptation to check it immediately.
Leave the phone/tablet out of your bedroom when you retire for the day and go to sleep. The blue light emitted by the screens can disrupt your sleep cycle.
As a parent, if you want your child or teenager to reduce their time on the phone, you need to model the same behaviour. Stick to the limits and boundaries you set. Focus more on spending quality time together.
There are certain apps that help you monitor your phone use on a daily basis, which eventually encourage you to reduce the screen time or to use it more judiciously.
Disconnect (from phone/internet) to reconnect with yourself, family, friends and nature!

Addiction Therapy

If you are unable to bring about some of these changes or are just not able to give up on your phone time, you must seek professional help as phone/internet addiction is treatable. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy provides step-by-step ways to stop compulsive behaviours and change your perceptions about your use of phone/internet. Therapy can also help you learn healthier ways of coping with uncomfortable emotions—such as stress, anxiety, or depression—that may be fuelling your phone/internet use. SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) Clinic is an internet de-addiction centre started by NIMHANS, Bangalore to help people replace excessive technology usage with healthy activities. More such setups are coming up to handle this new age endemic.Click on the link below to find out how your internet/phone use is affecting you –http://huibee.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/GLOBALADDICTION-Scales-InternetAddictionTest.pdf

You can send in your scores and queries to [email protected] and we shall help you with the same.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

It is that time of the year again when most of the students would be burning the night lamps to complete their course and prepare for the approaching examinations at different educational levels. Such a time can be stressful for both children and parents alike.

Parents often find it hard to cope with the increased irritability, demotivation and disconnectedness in their children prior to and during exam time. Here are a few TIPS that may help parents deal with their child’s anxieties during exams:

Remain Calm and Relax: The best way you can help your child is to remain to calm yourself! It’s very important not to transfer any additional anxiety onto your kids. This can happen unintentionally, especially if you’ve had a mixed experience of exams yourself. Keep reminding yourself it’s not about you.
Reinforce the positives: It is extremely important for parents to appreciate their children for every little success they achieve. Encourage them to look at failures as natural and opportunities to learn and grow. Praise your child’s effort and perseverance, rather than focusing on results. Listen to them, give support and avoid comparing him/her to other kids. Encouraging messages, cards, or even tight hugs can be extremely motivational.

Strike a Balance: Encourage your child to take breaks while studying. Even during exams, some time should be set aside for playing outside, listening to music or engaging in any other preferred activity of choice. Eating regular and nutritious meals and a good night’s sleep is absolutely necessary.

Keep the environment-friendly: Help your child prepare a schedule according to his own realistic standards and leave him to follow it in his own way. Assist them in arranging their tables and study material properly. A clutter free desk breeds healthy learning. The entire family should take care of minimizing noise and distractions during exam time.

Some TIPS for the students as well; as they are the ones who’ll actually be facing the challenge:-

Structure your day (plan out a routine). Ascertain if you are a day or a night person; best/ most comfortable time of the day for studying.

Take short breaks (2-5 mins) every 35-40 mins and start with a quick revision of the previous session.

Make notes or flashcards for yourself. Make mnemonics (like VIBGYOR for the seven colours of the rainbow where each letter represents the subsequent colour starting with Violet and ending with Red as in the actual rainbow)

A balanced diet, regular exercise, yoga and adequate sleep (at least 6 hrs)

Reducing distractions to the minimal in the study environment, especially mobiles.

Work on the table; use your bed only for sleeping and not for studying, as the bed is associated with sleep and when you sit and study on the bed, it confuses the brain as to whether to study or to sleep. This, in turn, starts interfering with the normal sleep pattern also.

Positive attitude and faith in your own abilities.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disease in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It is the most common cause of Dementia (For reference – Dec’15 – dementia part 1.doc; Jan’16 – dementia part 2.doc). Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. At first, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may notice mild confusion and difficulty remembering. Eventually, people with the disease may even forget important people in their lives and undergo dramatic personality changes.

SYMPTOMS

The initial changes that are felt by the patient and also observed by his/her family members are unusual difficulty remembering things and organizing thoughts.

Difficulty remembering things that just happened. Asking the same question again and again, misplace possessions, lose their way or direction, eventually can even forget the names of their family members and everyday objects.
Impairments to reasoning, complex tasking, and exercising judgment
Impaired speaking, reading and writing
Changes in personality and behaviour

CAUSES

Recent studies suggest that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Presence of plaques and tangles inside brain cells leads to decline and eventual cell death. Factors like – age above 65 years, Down syndrome, female sex, Mild Cognitive Impairment or head trauma in the past, diabetes, stroke and heart problems increase the risk for both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

MANAGEMENT

Apart from pharmacological treatment, psychosocial intervention is also an imperative part of the treatment process. It is important both for the patient and also for his/her caregivers.

Supportive therapy – A form of psychotherapy in which the therapist assists the patient and the caregivers deal appropriately with a range of emotions like despair, anger, feelings of helplessness and sadness that they experience because of the illness.
Cognitive rehabilitation – Training the patient to engage in mentally challenging activities like solving puzzles, Sudoku, scrabble, etc.
Memory aids – Memory deficits is one of the main features of dementia. Helping the patient remember things by maintaining a pocket diary, making note of important dates and contact numbers, preparing flashcards, labelling rooms at home so that they do not lose their way, setting reminder notes in phone for medicines, etc.
Ensuring that they maintain their self-care and engage in activities of daily routine like grooming, cooking, buying stuff from the grocery, reading and doing something that they enjoy the most.
Being patient and caring towards the patient will lessen the difficulties he/she has to go through because of the disease. It will also provide a healthy home environment for the caregivers to live in.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, cocaine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping, gadget/internet use) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as studies, work, relationships or health. It is a grave problem that affects not only the user, but also his/her family members and the society at large.

What is a Drug?

Any substance that alters the brain chemistry and affects the physiological functioning of the body is called a drug. Addiction of any sort has been found to have devastating effects on the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health of the individual. It can impair a person’s judgment and decision making to the extent that he/she may not even realise the damage being caused to oneself and others because of the substance use. Families have been broken, careers ended, lives lost prematurely and many are lost in wilderness forever. Addiction can lead to many physical and psychological disorders that further hamper one’s overall functioning.

Who is an Addict?

People can get addicted to different substances like – alcohol, tobacco, gutka, cigarette/bidi, marijuana/ganja, cocaine, volatile substances (thinner, petrol), etc. In addition, it can also be about engaging in an activity like shopping, internet use, sex, gambling, etc. A person is said to be addicted when:-

He/she has strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance/ engage in the activity.
Difficulty in controlling the use of the substance.
He/she needs more quantity of the substance to feel the same pleasure/high as earlier. (i.e., develops tolerance for the substance)
Physiological symptoms like sweating, palpitations, trembling when he/she does not get to use the substance (i.e., withdrawal symptoms)
Is preoccupied about the substance for most part of the day even when not using it.
Does not find pleasure in activities other than the ones involving use of the substance; spending considerable time in obtaining, using or recovering from the effects of the substance.
Continuing to use the substance or engage in the behaviour despite knowing the harmful consequences.
Significant changes in personality and overall behaviour.

Causes of Addiction

Not everyone who uses a drug/alcohol gets addicted to it. So what is it about some individuals that they get hooked to it whereas the others seem to have control over it? This is one of the most common questions a mental health professional is asked in relation to addiction. Like most other mental health issues, addiction is also understood in terms of a combination of biological, psychological and social factors.

Numerous studies over the years have suggested that just as we have different personalities, the way our brains are wired and function is different. Research indicates that there are certain brain areas (called dopamine pathways) and neurochemicals that function differently in people with addiction problems. They could either be vulnerable for it from the beginning, or the use of the drug/alcohol caused those changes. Either way it disrupts the brain chemistry which in turn affects the overall functioning of the individual. In addition to this, genes also play a major role as addiction has been known to run in families.

Being impulsive, thrill-seeking, short-tempered, non-assertive, having maladaptive ways of dealing with stress are some of the personality characteristics that make a person vulnerable to get into addiction. Curiosity and peer pressure are the most common reasons by which people try alcohol/drugs for the first time. A good, “relaxing”, “high” experience definitely increases the chances of engaging in such behaviours again for experiencing the same pleasure. Apart from this, most people who get addicted to drugs/alcohol use the substance as a way of escaping the hardships of real life. It becomes their way of dealing with stress or any form of difficulty in personal or professional life. However, that escape lasts for a very brief period as the moment the effect of the substance dies out the person again has to face the problem which he/she feels inept in dealing effectively. Hence, the person gets into a cycle of escaping the reality through the use of alcohol/drug and wants to be in that state so that he/she does not have to face the harsh reality. Substance use is believed to be a sign of poor coping ability of the individual.

Apart from the biological and psychological factors, our culture and society also play a role in advocating the use of certain drugs. For instance, in some cultures of India drinking alcohol is considered a great way of bonding together and celebrating occasions. In fact, not serving alcohol in marriage or other such social gatherings is considered disrespectful and insulting to the guests. Even God has not been spared and in the name of Lord Shiva, people smoke ganja and have bhang during holi or shivratri. Nowadays all these drugs and alcohol are so easily available (for instance wine and beer shops in malls) that it is almost as if the society is promoting the use of such substances rather than spreading awareness about its harmful impact.

Psychological Treatment

Psychotherapy – Also called “talk therapy”, is aimed at helping the client understand the link between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours so that the maladaptive ones can be replaced with more adaptive and productive processes. Interventions in terms of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Motivation Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Behaviour Therapy are efficient in the treatment of addiction behaviour.
Craving control – Use of certain medicines and behavioural techniques can help a person deal with the intense feelings of craving when it seems too much to bear. It gives a sense of greater control to the person over the substance which in turn motivates him/her to stay away from using the substance. Many people report that they tend to continue abusing the substance since they are unable to handle the periods of intense craving which can come all of a sudden.
Relapse prevention – Arguably the most important component of de-addiction programs. Leaving the substance is not that hard, but staying away from it is the most difficult part as reported by many patients with addiction. To ensure that the person stays clean and healthy without the substance, they are taught some techniques like asking for help whenever they feel the need to do the substance or staying away from potentially “dangerous situations” like going to party where alcohol is available. With therapy, the individual gains more confidence in his/her own abilities rather than depending on the substance for facing life situations. In addition to this, they also start enjoying their life without the substance. Both the patient and his/her family play an important part in this process hence they are educated about it and advised regarding appropriate ways of ensuring sobriety for the patient.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – It is a self-help group in which ex-alcoholics come together and share their experiences, for instance how they got into drinking, how it affected their life and now how they are maintaining their sobriety. These are mostly weekly sessions and have been found to be very effective in supporting the recovering alcoholics stay motivated to be clean without the use of alcohol. Similar to AA, there is NA (Narcotics Anonymous for drug addicts) and Al-Anon (for the family members and friends of problem drinkers).
Yoga and exercise – A healthy daily routine with yoga or regular exercise promotes feelings of general well-being and ensures healthy mind and body. It detoxifies the body faster and even helps in recovering from the damage caused due to excessive substance use.
Social skills training – An important aspect for being away from drugs/alcohol is the ability to say NO to such offers from others. Assertive behaviour, healthy communication pattern and good problem-solving ability are skills that are taught to assist the person stay healthy without feeling the need to take the substance.

One of the simplest, yet very powerful principle of staying healthy is “ONE DAY AT A TIME”! Instead of making any long-term plans for staying sober, which might seem over-whelming and extremely difficult, just plan for that very day and DECIDE to be clean without the substance.

If you suspect any of the above mentioned features in your loved one, try and talk to them in a caring manner about seeking professional help to remain away from them and lead a healthy, productive and meaningful life. People who use such substances tend to deny that it is a problem and claim to be in control of their use which is mostly not the case. With proper awareness and guidance, we can save our dear ones from ruining their lives. So please take action before it’s too late!

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

When we talk of “Personality” people usually think of someone who is good looking, smart, charming and even influential to some extent. In this post, we look at what is meant by personality, different characteristics of personality, and an introduction to Personality Disorders. As there are various types of Personality Disorders, and each requires an in-depth understanding of the dynamics, they are being covered separately in our e-Newsletters under the Mind the MIND section.

Characteristics of Personality

Persistent and enduring – Even though we all modify our beliefs and behaviours during our lifetime, our core personality traits tend to remain stable over time.
Early emergence – Our stable personality traits begin to manifest in adolescence, somewhere at the age of 15-16 years.
Combination of traits – Personality is dynamic in nature as it is an amalgamation of different of ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving and responding to the environment.
It also involves how we relate to self and others. Thus, it involves both the interpersonal and intrapersonal relations.

Personality Disorders

As mentioned above, our personality comprises of several traits and not all of them are necessarily healthy and adaptive. Some of these traits are bound to be problematic. Personality disorder is a mental disorder in which the person has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. It represents an extreme or significant variation in personal functioning, a deviation from the way an average individual in a given culture thinks, feels, behaves, perceives, and relates to others. This causes significant problems and limitations in interpersonal relations, social activities, work productivity, and overall functioning.

Types of Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder. It’s not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed.

TREATMENT

People who suffer from Personality Disorders are unlikely to seek treatment voluntarily as they may blame others and circumstances for their plight. If at all they do, it’s for associated conditions like depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress, strong feelings that others do not understand them, etc. A combination of Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy works best for such cases.

Psychotherapy – This is the most promising method of treatment for people with Personality Disorders. Intense and long-term therapy is required as there may be deep-rooted problems with interpersonal functioning. A strong therapist-client relationship offers the most benefit to people with such problems, yet is extremely difficult to establish due to the dramatic skepticism and inadequate coping skills of patients with such conditions.

Establishing rapport is the most challenging task for the therapist, yet the professional seeks to work around it to help the individual see things from a different perspective. There are different types, schools, and techniques of therapy. Depending on the nature of problems and its manifestation, the psychotherapist decides what would be more applicable as it is an individualistic treatment that caters to the needs and uniqueness of each individual.

In addition to psychotherapy, Psychological Assessments also form a significant part of the treatment process as through testing the therapist gets a better understanding of the inner dynamics of the individual’s personality which strengthens the case formulation and subsequent treatment plan.

Medicines – As mentioned above, prescribing medicines for the comorbid problems can work well which would also help in improving the overall functioning of the individual. A Psychiatrist prescribes such medicines.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Life is a journey. And to make this journey more beautiful and meaningful, we travel. We travel across cities, across landscapes, across continents to marvel the beauty of our Mother Earth. Travelling is an enriching experience. It is not only good for the economic growth of a country but also for the overall growth of an individual.

Recent studies have also proven numerous benefits of travelling. Some of these benefits are –

It improves overall physical health. Engaging in outdoor activities, spending time close to nature helps in stabilising BP, improves immunity, and makes a person physically fit.
It improves mental health. Travelling helps lower stress levels, aids in recovery from depression and anxiety problems, encourages flexibility in our thinking process, and ensures mental peace. It also enhances your tolerance of uncertainty which can work wonders for reducing anxiety.
It makes us more creative and incduces out of box thinking as we encounter new and challenging situations which were unexpected. It also enhances problem solving skills.
As we meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, it helps us to look at things from a different perspective. It nourishes love and respect for others, and for the entire humanity at large.
You get to know yourself better as you spend more time with yourself and might even be surprised to discover certain skills which you thought you never had!
Travelling revitalises the human soul and significantly improves productivity at work as it provides a much needed break from excessive workload and monotony of daily life.
The enormity and beauty of nature in its various forms makes us humans humble as we realise how tiny we are in this entire existence. It makes us more appreciative and grateful for all that we have!
Today, people of all ages are taking to travelling more seriously. It is an excellent investment in yourself that promotes physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. Spending time with nature brings us close to our own existence. It broadens our perspective about life, teaches us to maintain balance and be in sync with nature, and even makes us realise to be more mindful and appreciative of all the other living organisms co-existing with us on this beautiful planet of ours.

Thus, we at AKGsOVIHAMS encourage you to travel. Travel to discover places, to meet people, to love animals, to grow stronger bonds with your loved ones, to make beautiful memories, and most importantly to know thyself in the true sense. Be safe while you travel and also be responsible to spread love, happiness, maintain cleanliness, and ensure that our Home, Planet Earth, grows more beautiful as this is all we have!

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Overview

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety spectrum disorder which is chiefly characterised by the occurrence of unwanted and intrusive (interfering) obsessive thoughts or distressing images usually accompanied by compulsive behaviours performed to neutralize the obsessive thoughts or images or to prevent some dreaded event or situation.

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

DOS	DON’Ts
Let the thought/image/impluse come and let them go.	Do not try to stop the thought/image/impulse as it has a paradoxical effect.
Be with the anxiety	Do not avoid the thought/image/impulse
Accept that these thoughts/images/impulses are not from your own mind, but because of OCD	Do not try to control the thought/image/impulse
A thought is just a thought, and not reality. Just observe it as an audience without engaging with them.	Do not distract yourself as it will provide provide relief but only temporarily.

Another important point worth noting is that guilt is the best friend of OCD; whenever there is guilt attached to obsessions, it will exacerbate the problem. Hence, it is important for the person to understand that simply having an obsessive thought (for instance – sexual images) is not equivalent to having actually done that in reality. We all experience such unpleasant or unwanted thoughts, impulses or images almost everyday and so there is nothing abnormal in it. It is just a thought and has no relevance till the time we attach some meaning to it or in case of OCD, there is anxiety due to the increased sense of responsibility. OCD can be an extremely debilitating and distressful illness for the person suffering from it as it hampers the functioning in various aspects. But there is hope as it is definitely a treatable illness with a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. Homoepathic medicines are very efficient in treating OCD in combination with psychotherapy.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

We are all well aware about the physical first-aid. The white box with a red cross on top which contains all the necessary things like cotton, band-aid, dettol, etc. required for healing a physical injury and preventing any further injury. However, not many people are aware of a similar concept called Psychological First-Aid which involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. The World Health Organization (WHO) had even declared “Psychological First-Aid” as the theme for World Mental Health Day in 2016, which is celebrated every year on 10th October.

What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?

It is a technique for providing support and care to a person who has just experienced crisis situation like – been involved in or witnessed an accident, terrorist attack, death of a loved one or suicide to help them deal with and recover from the traumatic event. Providing a helping hand in time can prevent the person from getting traumatized, his/her functioning getting disrupted, keep a check on maladaptive coping methods like excessive use of drugs or alcohol, or even taking an extreme step like attempting suicide.

Themes involved in PFA

• Provide practical care and support in a non-intrusive manner

• Assess what the person needs and his/her concerns

• Help people to address basic needs (eg.- food, water, information)

• Protect them from any further injury/harm

• Listen to people but do not pressurize them to talk

• Comforting people and helping them to feel calm

• Seek professional help for further assistance if required.

‘Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. But STIGMA and BIAS shame us all’

– Bill Clinton

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

We all go through the ups and downs of our everyday lives. There are times when we feel we can achieve a lot, do wonders, make the most of our potential, and then there are days when we consider ourselves complete failures, feel down in the dumps, and nothing seems to be going our way. Such is life, and this variety and unpredictability is its beauty. Having a low mood, feeling sad or even “depressed” is actually different from clinical depression.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

According to the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, clinical depression is marked by the following three cardinal symptoms lasting for a period of at least 2 weeks:-

Depressed mood
Loss of interest and enjoyment
Reduced energy leading to easy fatigability and diminished activity.

In addition to this, other common symptoms could be – reduced concentration and attention, reduced confidence and self-esteem, ideas of guilt and unworthiness, bleak and pessimistic views of the future, disturbed sleep and appetite, decreased libido, and ideas of self-harm or suicide.

CAUSES

Just like any other psychological illness, depression also could be due to a combination of bio-psycho-social factors. It is a very common illness and affects 1 in every 3 persons in India once in their lifetime. Many famous personalities like Deepika Padukone, Jim Carrey, Dwayne Johnson (‘The Rock’), and many others have openly spoken about their struggles with depression with the aim of helping people to come out and seek help as Depression is treatable.

On the biological front, studies suggest that a decrease in Serotonin levels, a neurochemical in our body, is believed to be responsible for causing depression. It also tends to run in families, i.e. depression can be inherited just like any other illness like Diabetes, Hypertension, etc. Psychological factors like – pessimistic style of thinking, tendency to over-think, poor self-esteem, and over-sensitivity make one vulnerable for having Depression. Social factors like – stress, trauma, any significant loss, etc. can trigger depression in already vulnerable individuals.

STEPS TO BEAT DEPRESSION

Although depression can have a recurring course, it is definitely treatable with anti -depressant medication, Homoeopathic treatment, Psychotherapy, and certain lifestyle changes.

Psychotherapy, also called Talk therapy, is a treatment process to help people deal with psychological problems like depression, anxiety, OCD, etc. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most efficient form of therpay for treating depression. In CBT, a trained therapist helps the patient identify their faulty thinking patterns, become aware of the cognitive errors they are making, and eventually modify or replace them with more appropriate and healthy ways of thinking.
Maintain a routine. A structured day keeps the uncertainties and stress to the minimal. Moreover, it makes sure you use your time efficiently.
Go for a walk or exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins, often called “happy hormones” which work as natural anti-depressants.
Engage more often in your favourite activities, hobbies or things that give you happiness even if it seems futile. The general rule of thumb that works in depression is- THE MORE YOU DO, THE MORE YOU FEEL LIKE DOING. So, don’t wait for your mood to get better before you do things that you enjoy.
Share your feelings and thoughts with people you are comfortable with. They might not be able to suggest a solution to your problem but you would feel much better.
Feel free to consult a mental health professional like a Clinical Psychologist who understands the condition well and has acquired professional training in dealing with such problems. Psychotherapy is very effective in treating depression and can help you deal better with the situation.

“Do not believe the things you tell yourself when you are sad and alone”

– Anonymous

* Click on the link below to watch a video by Kaartik Gupta, Clinical Psychologist at AKGsOVIHAMS Medical Centres, wherein he talks about Depression and its treatment.

What is Phone/Internet Addiction?

Is it masking a mental health disorder?

Effects of phone/internet addiction

Self-help Strategies

Addiction Therapy

You can send in your scores and queries to [email protected] and we shall help you with the same.

So all the best to all the students. We hope our advice would serve you well! 🙂

SYMPTOMS

CAUSES

MANAGEMENT

What is a Drug?

Who is an Addict?

Causes of Addiction

Psychological Treatment

What is personality?

Characteristics of Personality

Personality Disorders

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

Types of Personality Disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Cluster C Personality Disorders

TREATMENT

Overview

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?

Who can provide PFA?

Themes involved in PFA

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

CAUSES

STEPS TO BEAT DEPRESSION

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