A marriage invitation arrived on whatsapp today.
Nothing new about it.
Except the story behind it.
1997-99 i was treating psychiatry resident for a young man who had recently been confirmed on job as armed railway police.
He developed Schizophrenia (paranoid type) .
Nothing new about it.
Except the story behind it.
1997-99 i was treating psychiatry resident for a young man who had recently been confirmed on job as armed railway police.
He developed Schizophrenia (paranoid type) .
Fortunately, it was detected early and he was referred to govt hospital psychiatry dept (my place of work) by railway doctors.
He had a severe type of difficulty and it took almost 2 months of treatment (including electroconvulsive therapy) to achieve full resolution of symptoms
He had a severe type of difficulty and it took almost 2 months of treatment (including electroconvulsive therapy) to achieve full resolution of symptoms
He was sent on a long medical leave with regular follow up.
Along with his wife, a baby daughter and his uneducated father, he would visit OPD every week.
His father would talk to all other patients waiting there, motivating them to take regular meds.
Along with his wife, a baby daughter and his uneducated father, he would visit OPD every week.
His father would talk to all other patients waiting there, motivating them to take regular meds.
Then came a shocker. He was about to be relieved from the job due to his illness.
He became acutely unwell and was admitted again, reducing his chances of job further.
He became acutely unwell and was admitted again, reducing his chances of job further.
But our social worker was a dedicated and gritty professional. She dug deep and found out how he can be legally retained on the same payscale but be given a non armed job in safe environment.
It worked!
Even today, he is a railway employee.
It worked!
Even today, he is a railway employee.
I left that job in 2000 but he kept in touch. Visiting me once a year at my pvt clinic just to say hello. His father would bless me with "Bhandara" from his deity.
They continued to meet me till I left for UK.
They continued to meet me till I left for UK.
Once I came back to India, he visited me again, with family.
He was heartbroken as I started to work only with kids.
Our yearly meetings continued till 4 yr ago. When he disappeared. I called his phone no. No response.
Eventually i gave up.
He was heartbroken as I started to work only with kids.
Our yearly meetings continued till 4 yr ago. When he disappeared. I called his phone no. No response.
Eventually i gave up.
And today he sent me marriage invitation for his daughter.
She is MBA (HR). First graduate of his family.
He must be a very proud father today.
Unfortunately , grandad passed away few years ago so he won't be there to celebrate.
She is MBA (HR). First graduate of his family.
He must be a very proud father today.
Unfortunately , grandad passed away few years ago so he won't be there to celebrate.
In a govt college psychiatry dept where hundreds are admitted every year , some on floor beds as we run out of beds and thousands are treated as OPD patients, positive changes happen all the time.
All doctors have such real life stories of being part of a patients struggle with life spanning years and years.
We are a blessed profession.
#Psychiatry
#MentalHealth
#India
We are a blessed profession.
#Psychiatry
#MentalHealth
#India
