December 11, 2016 at 11:20 pm

Mind related issues are one of the main problems in young and old in 2016. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the population of the world suffer from disorders of the mind due to chemical imbalance caused due to vitamin deficiency, genetic disorders, age related disorders,  case specific health related issues. These result in problems like epilepsy, cerebral palsy, nerve or neurological issues, dementia, behavioural, speech or motor movement problems, alzheimer’s, mental retardation or a host of others. While in developing countries it is difficult to know about these problems unless it becomes very serious. There is also a tendency to ignore the issue convincing oneself this cant happen to me or my family member by elders of the family due to pressure from the society or peer group.

If anyone tells he is going through such and such a problem related to the mind he is told to simply take rest and eat well and all the problems are solved he is also told to keep quiet and keep the problem to himself or herself. People avoid going to doctors in the case of mind related problems due to societal pressures. The ratio of doctors like psychiatrists, neurologists and other mental health professionals are very low in developing countries when compared to developed ones. People with such problems have to be treated very sensitively and handled with utmost care.

It is practically impossible to provide medical care for the above problem to all those going through the difficulty. One more big impediment is the cost of medication which is priced very high compared to the normal day to day medicines. Some of the best ways to treat problems related to mind are the sooner you seek help the better it is. Once treatment starts it has to be completed through the full course, foods and medicines along with lifestyle changes as advised by the doctor have to be strictly adhered to. Medicines should never be stopped in between. Alternative therapies can also be used side by side to the main treatment.

Patients care givers should take adequate rest themselves as they may themselves get tired and stressed running and tending to the patient. They should take some personal time out for themselves so that they can get refreshed and tend the patient properly with care. General awareness camps which are just limited to doctors conferences and meetings in hotels have to be taken to the local level  and primary health care centers.

Full awareness campaigns should be carried out on a regular basis providing all the information of health problems related to the mind which people go through along with those particular symptoms so that it may be easy for them to tell the doctor and the actions which they are supposed to perform.

This habit of going to the doctor immediately has to be inculcated since childhood instead of waiting for till the last moment when the situation gets out of control. Now in India many hospitals have epilepsy clinics and are specializing  in treating the patients for this condition. The same should be the case with other mental health problems as it affect large chunks of population and their dependents and families go into financial burden and ruin. This in turn affects the economy, health and well being of the population of the country as a whole. The best solution for this is the strategy prevention is better than cure.