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Chronic Pain Chronicles: Balancing the Equation of Functional and Organic Pains

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W ritten by Keerthi Aithal, Psychologist,  Ph.no: +919980476255 Read time 5 minutes              A 32-year-old woman visited multiple doctors seeking relief from chronic headaches and fatigue. Despite undergoing various medical consultations and multiple tests, she was consistently told that everything was normal. Her symptoms persisted, leading to increased frustration. Eventually, she was referred to a psychiatrist. Reluctantly, she revealed that her discomfort intensified amidst marital discord. The diagnosis indicated a somatoform disorder, recognizing the psychosomatic nature of her ailments. Through therapy with a psychologist to address underlying marital issues and a personalized medication plan, she experienced significant improvement. Learning coping mechanisms and communication skills helped alleviate the headaches and fatigue. This case underscores the intricate interplay between mental health, relationships, and physical well-being, taking into account cultural nuances.  
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Silent Struggles: Unraveling the Complex Web of Depression

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Written by Dr. Arun Bhat P., Consultant Psychiatrist Read time - 5 minutes   "Doctor! She's not eating or sleeping properly," said the husband, describing his 52-year-old wife. Her face had lost its radiance, eyes were dull but teary, and sorrow filled her demeanor. The husband explained, "Our only son passed away in an accident two months ago. Since then, my wife has been in this state. She constantly cries, blaming herself for our son's death, saying she deserves to suffer in hell." She neglects personal hygiene, avoids conversation, isolates herself, shows no interest in anything, and recently even attempted suicide. That's why I brought her here. The woman, as mentioned above, is suffering from depression. Depression as described in the above scenario is not only caused by external factors but at times by internal factors. Symptoms and severity vary widely. External factors may include loss of loved one & grief, social pressure, family tension, f
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From Tears to Triumph: Unraveling the Complexity of Children's Phobia

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W ritten by Keerthi Aithal, Psychologist,  Ph.no: +919980476255  Read time 5 minutes                                     Children can develop fears that are so irrational, persistent, or intense that they are focused on a wide range of objects or situations. Exposure to these stimuli almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response. The phobic stimulus or situation is either avoided or endured wit dread, interfering with normal routines and activities for at least 6 months. The intense fear or discomfort around the feared object or situation can culminate in panic attacks. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, fear of losing control, and a racing heartbeat. Symptoms can last several hours or might persist for less than 10 minutes. Children often express their discomfort by crying, throwing tantrums, freezing, clinging, trembling, or sweating. Common phobias can be categorized into: Animal/Insect Phobias (dogs, spiders, snakes, bugs, etc.) Phobias of
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Wet Sheets & Silent Struggles: Navigating the Terrain of Nocturnal Enuresis

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W ritten by Keerthi Aithal, Psychologist,  Ph.no: +919980476255  Read time 5 minutes                             (Credits: https://www.childrensmercy.org/parent-ish/2019/02/bedwetting/) Bedwetting, also known as Nocturnal Enuresis, is a common problem seen in children characterized by the involuntary voiding of urine during the day and/or at night. Bedwetting is not a consequence of any underlying medical conditions such as a lack of bladder control due to any neurological disorder, epileptic attacks, or any structural abnormality of the urinary tract (a urinary tract blockage or narrow urethra, a small bladder), hormonal imbalance (under secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) which slows down how much urine is made during the night), ongoing constipation (the muscle involved in passing urine & stools may not work well), obstructive sleep apnea, transient enuresis as a result of cystitis, or polyuria (as from diabetes), all of which have to be ruled out before diag
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Are we evolving or devolving?

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Written by Dr. Arun Bhat P., Consultant Psychiatrist Read time - 5 minutes   Over the past three decades, we've witnessed an unprecedented surge in technological advancements. Do you recall the charming era when families gathered to enjoy a weekly movie, creating lasting memories? Fast forward to today, where technological progress and the rise of social media, accelerated further by the recent challenges of the COVID pandemic, have reshaped our lives. The ubiquity of mobile devices has significantly altered the cognitive landscape of the current generation. Social skills and attention spans are undergoing transformation due to increased reliance on virtual interactions. In this digital age, self-esteem often hinges on the approval garnered from online posts, a shift away from real-life connections. The quest for attention in a crowded digital space has given rise to clickbait culture, where content creators prioriti
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The Puppeteer's Play: Overcoming Gaslighting & Empowerment by recognizing the signs & tactics

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W ritten by Keerthi Aithal, Psychologist,  Ph.no: +919980476255  Read time 10 minutes                                            G aslighting is a form of manipulation were the gaslighter (person who is manipulating) psychologically manipulates the victim/target individual to the point were the person starts to doubt his/her own reality, perceptions of the world, & sanity.                        It makes one doubt self, his/her perceptions, experiences, thoughts, feelings, or memories, which leads to the loss of confidence & self-worth, emotional dysregulation, dependency on the gaslighter; taking a toll on one’s mental health.                       Gaslighting can happen in any relationship; be it romantic, friends, colleagues, family/relatives. The motive of the Gaslighter is to attain power over their victim, which they do so by emotionally, physically or financially controlling their victim.                    The term Gaslighting comes from the 1938 stage play “Gaslight” f
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Masturbation – is it a taboo or not?

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Written by Dr. Arun Bhat P., Consultant Psychiatrist Read time - 10 minutes Word “masturbation” elicits a mixed reaction in people. Why does it carry a lot of taboo & stigma? The word masturbation means “deliberate erotic self-stimulation”. In India it is colloquially called as “Hasta Maithuna (Hasta – Hands & Maithuna – Sexual intercourse). Although it is a subject of taboo & has been viewed negatively in various cultures it is much more prevalent. It is estimated that around 80-90% of males & 40-60% of females masturbate in their lifetimes. Self-stimulation of genital organs is also seen in some children without the sexual context. We can see examples of such behaviours in animals also. In males, masturbatory processes usually involve stimulation of penis (especially glans penis) to the point of orgasm & ejaculation. It is usually done with hands but rubbing against objects & clothing is also not uncommon. Whereas stimulation or rubbing of vulva, clitoris, bre
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