1% of Delhi’s population suffers from schizophrenia that needs early diagnosis

Lack of adequate health infrastructure, expensive treatment, shortage of clinical psychologists in the city and the stigma attached to the treatment of schizophrenia among patients and their families are the major challenges coming in way of treating the severe mental illness. About one per cent of Delhi’s population suffers from schizophrenia, which worsens if not treated in the initial stages.

Dr Deepak Raheja, Secretary General of Delhi Psychiatric Society says: “There are several kinds of mental illnesses that range from high anxiety to low Intelligence Quotient (IQ) levels. Schizophrenia is considered to be an extreme form of mental illness.” He defines schizophrenia as “a psychotic illness in which there is a schism in thoughts, emotions and behaviour, which results in lack of synchronisation between actions and thoughts, causing delusional illusions in patients.” 

He further adds that the causes of the disease are biological and genetic and it can affect anyone. He did though deny that there is a connection between schizophrenia and depression or stress and highlighted that even though the lack of hospitals caused expensive treatment, the major challenge was the stigma which many patients and their hold about the disease.

Dr Deepak Kumar, Deputy Medical Superintendent at Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IBHAS) said that in 150 new patients that come to OPD each day, about thirty per cent suffer from the symptoms of schizophrenia. He highlighted that as many hospitals lack trained clinical psychologists, most patients are referred to IBHAS.

Similar thoughts have been echoed by Dr Paramjit Singh, assistant professor of psychiatry at IBHAS. He says:  “Schizophrenia affects people between the ages of 15-35 and the medication and treatment for the disease varies according to the condition of the patient.” Dr Singh adds that as there are many tests which patients have to undergo, most of them refrain from it because of the expenses. He emphasised that it has become essential to highlight that schizophrenia is a genetic and a biological disorder and there should be no stigma attached to it and its treatment.