“Do not delay treatment of depression”- 24 March 2019

XYZ

Q. I dont know what i am feeling….But i feel it all day..everyday…..I m scared…I don’t want this feeling ….m scared to get up in morning….Even m afraid to sleep…..I feel like m being pushed from up above the sky……When I wake up at morning..I feel pain…I think that’s on my chest….But at the same time I’m scared of something that I don’t know…N I cry….I feel low…I don’t know wat to do….This is terrible…..I don’t like bright light….Whenever sunrays enter my room ..The room gets yellowish … Something kinda orange shade…That’s scares me more than anything else….I feel terrified….That ruins my mood….I feel sick….At about 3 to 6 pm….I feel low….It happens everyday….

Ans. This is a mental condition which needs immediate attention. You need to see a psychologist as soon as possible without wasting time. Either you take a friend along with you whom you trust or ask a parent or family member to assist you to a psychologist for a consultation. These appear to be symptoms of anxiety and depression on the face of it and it can be treated nicely and you can be a happy person again. I wonder since how long you are suffering this state of mind and why are you not doing anything about it. Your family must take this very seriously and not neglect it. Please seek help soon.

ABC

Q. My mind spins around like a top and I don’t get sleep. This is happening from one or two months and now I feel like something is terribly wrong with my mind. My cousin brother has depression and I have been counselling him a lot by staying beside him and giving him company. He told me some things which have disturbed me for some reasons. We are very close and I love him a lot. I cannot stay without him and cannot leave him alone when he is suffering. He is not taking medicine but feels good when he talks to me. Now I am feeling not so well. Please guide me the best course of action for me. In your opinion what should I do?

Ans. It could be a possibility that your cousin’s depression and your involvement with his state is impacting you too. Counselling is not an easy practice and a lay-person is not trained to handle complex issues such as depression. We never recommend a friend or family to counsel a member for a psychological problem as it is not an easy process. He has shared some personal stories with you which has upset as you mention this and that seems to be the truth. You may be unable to process all the information and digest it especially if it is laden with emotions. I could suggest you to bring your brother for a psychological consultation and would need a session or two perhaps. Try to withdraw yourself from listening to his stories but do keep supporting him by being at his side and giving your empathy and sympathy. But he needs to seek professional counselling actively and as soon as possible. You take care of yourself.

Anonymous.

Q. My mother has OCD and is under treatment from a doctor and at times she is better and at times she becomes worse. When she is bad she makes life worse for us at home. Even my father becomes irritated with her and loses his patience and then begins to shout at her. All of us become disturbed and no one understands anyone. My exams are going on and all this is very depressing for me. I feel like leaving home and running away to another place but I know I cannot leave and leave my mother alone. What to do madam- please guide me. I am very much in trouble.

Ans. We understand the dilemma you are undergoing as well as the stress that ensues with having a family member with OCD. It is a troublesome disease and takes a toll on the patient as well as on the mind of family members. But if you think of your Mother as suffering from a disease that she cannot control and that disturbs her too, you would sympathise and empathise with her. The best thing is assure her that all will be well. It is also advisable to calm and soothe her nerves by saying cooling words and telling her to relax. She must continue the medicine and also do relaxation exercises. You might think of relieving her of some work burden and all members joining in helping with housework. That might it easy for her. Calculate the amount of burden she carries in the house and ease it off. As far as your exams are concerned you might study in a library or reading room till exams and of courses with her permission. We wish you all the best for your exams.