System to tackle post-traumatic stress needed

KOCHI: A strong machinery has to be put in place to handle post-traumatic stress disorders, National Disaster Management Authority member, Major-General Dr J K Bansal has said. Bansal said that the NDMA has brought out guidelines for psycho-social support and mental health services. He was speaking at the two-day Indian Global Psychiatric Initiative Congress 2012 at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences on Tuesday.People suffer from depression, memory loss, loss of discriminating capacity and  sleeplessness among other disorders. Timely intervention is a must to solve these problems. There is a need for a system to address these defects.While 60 per cent of the patients hit by psychological problems due to disasters recover within six months, 30 per cent may continue to suffer from disorders for long, he said.Research needs to be done to find medicines that are not toxic. Clinical evaluation of a patient is more important than resorting to biotechnology in treating people with psychiatric disorders. Spirituality and meditation can help convert negative thoughts into positive ones. Psychotherapy is as important as medicines. He told the IGPI Congress to come out with a concrete action plan.Even the educated are superstitious when it comes to mental disorders. The conference aims to change the attitude. Proper treatment can cure any psychological disorders,” said Dr Radhakrishnan, secretary, World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.