Focus needed on stress disorders in flood-hit areas

ENS
First Published : 06 Oct 2008 12:03:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 06 Oct 2008 12:44:55 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: With the recent flood causing extensive damage to life, properties and livestock, another area that needs immediate attention of the State Government is the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which might increase psychiatric illness in the affected area by 30 to 40 percent following the socio-cultural and emotional distress.

However, stigmas attached to individuals suffering from mental illness — even after their recovery, misconceptions regarding various illness types and irregular treatment modalities adopted by people, the psychiatric disorders are increasing day by day. With the World Mental Health Day being observed on October 10, the mental health week which began Saturday, has taken up issues like awareness generation, advocacy and community orientation for the mentally diseased, in phases.

According to Prof and HoD of department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Rabindra Kumar Das, one in four patients coming to OPDs in the State is suffering from mental, behavioural or neurological problems and the patients with psychiatric problems would be more than 15 lakh.