A series of 7 short posts about schizophrenia. Written for Schizophrenia awareness week.
1
Is it one single well defined, well understood illness?
2
Some common types of schizophrenia described in #Marathi by fellow psychiatrist Dr Atul Dhage
3
Can we spot it as early as possible?
4
Stigma
Schizophrenia like most mental health issues, carried serious stigma. What is it? What to do about it?
5
Can Schizophrenia be cured?
6
Family
What is role of family? Are they affected as well?
7
How long do you have to live with Schizophrenia?
How can you help?
Schizophrenia Awareness Association is a Non Govt Organization working in this area. You can help their cause with time, companionship and donations. @amritbakhshy ji is a relentless leader
Amphotericin B and Mucormycosis bring up uncomfortable memory.
Memory of a family that was ruined because of cost of treatment
Jan1996.
I started my first house job in Nashik after finishing internship.
My very first patient was a middle aged man on ICU bed no 1.
He was operated for removal of mucormycosis balls from his maxillary sinus. He lost one eye to that fungus.
Uncontrolled diabetes caused by misconceptions about illness, insulin and faith in "alternative" ultimately led to this fungal infection.
I met him 4 days after operation.
Amphotericin B was not avaialble in Nashik then. It has to be brought from Mumbai.
1. Choose a school that is closest to your home. Preferably walking distance. Commute is a killer. 2. Time is most important tool. Choose a school that engages kids for minimum time. State board schools are best in this area. Esp schools that run in 2 shifts.
3. Getting marks in school exams should not be a priority. Only 12th std matters to an extent. 4. Self learning + help from parents, internet should be preferred way. No tuition classes at all. 5. Understanding questions and trying to get into examiners mind is essential skill in
There is lot of learning from Covid pandemic. I am hoping for following three changes to become part of Indian medical system.
I am eternal optimist.
a thread -
Change 1 -
I would like to see doctors following guidelines in treating ALL illnesses. Not getting straight jacketed but respecting research driven guidance.
Too many doctors claim to be geniuses and create cocktails that are useless at best and deadly at worst.
This would not only safeguard good doctors in litigation but put responsibility on bodies that form guidelines. If they want to bask in glory, they need to be accountable as well.
A sensible doctor finds good guidelines supportive, protective, uses them to rationalize treatment.
#India #covidvolunteers
If you are a non-professional volunteer during Covid times in India,
your own mental health may be under challenge.
Few thoughts on how to look after yourself and continue to be a valuable member of volunteer force.
1/n
Many telephone helplines and on ground help groups are working towards - advice on course of disease, finding beds/meds/food/support, arranging funerals and host of other services for the affected and their families.
This is excellent work. Much needed. People volunteering for such work online/on phone/on ground are noble souls.
They face uphill and sometimes hopeless task.
Manytimes their efforts draw a blank and sometimes patient passes away.
Everyday brings more complexity and more confusing information in public and professional domain.
Here I make an attempt to bring some clarity in my own understanding of this issue.
Basics -
In a complex, complicated, evolving, changing, poor-data situation, best policy is to stick to absolute basics to minimise harm caused by foolish intervention.
What does it mean in practical terms for Covid?
1. Focus on prevention - mask up all the time, avoid socialization and closed spaces, avoid places where you meet mask-less people.
2. Long term - lose extra weight, get blood sugar in normal range, keep other illnesses in good control. This reduces risk if you get Covid.