“I want these thoughts to stop. I fight them every day, but they keep coming back stronger.”

In my practice as a psychiatrist, I’ve heard this countless times from patients struggling with anxiety. Despite their efforts to silence distressing thoughts, the fear only tightens its grip.

“Addiction is the only prison where the locks are on the inside.” – Anonymous.

As a de-addiction specialist, I’ve observed a significant rise in inquiries from individuals seeking help for various addictions. A particularly concerning trend is the growing prevalence of gambling addiction, with clients reporting staggering losses ranging from lakhs to crores of rupees.

Proxy consultation, also known as consultation by proxy, involves seeking medical or psychiatric advice and guidance on behalf of someone else who is unwilling or unable to do so themselves.  Their refusal can be driven by stigma, shame, or fear of judgment. This type of consultation is particularly relevant in India, where cultural and social factors can make it difficult for individuals to seek help directly.

In response to the common inquiry about my prescriptions, it's important to dispel the notion that psychiatrists merely offer a list of medications. For me, fostering well-being involves more than pharmacological solutions. Effective treatment encompasses attentive listening, detailed analysis, and timely guidance to facilitate heightened self-awareness, change and adaptations.