Mindfulness for Medicos

  Bio-psycho-social model Most of the psychiatric illnesses have a bio-psycho-social model of origin, meaning they have a biological component which could be some genetic vulnerability, autoimmune mechanisms, neurodevelopmental defects (during the brain’s development) and so on. They also have psychological component which include their thought patterns, emotional aspects, behavioural reactions to stress and other life events, coping skills , temperament and personality traits. The third aspect is social which includes family dynamics , interpersonal relationships, social structure and the patient's relationship to various social elements. Most of our mental health issues develop due to interaction between these three aspects of the individual. In our medical profession, we tend to pay more attention to the biological aspects, often ignoring the other two domains. However as I learnt and studied psychiatry, I realised the importance of Psychosocial aspects. ...

The arrival of a newborn is often a source of great joy for both the mother and the family members. However, it also means a lot of adjustment and adaptation to a new and challenging situation, especially for new mothers. Physiological, hormonal and biological changes can increase a woman’s vulnerabilities for mental health issues.  The awareness around postpartum disorders is gradually improving and many women are opening up about their struggles, still there are many who have to suffer in silence due to several reasons. We must understand that silence is never the answer of any mental health disorder and when neglected, they can impact both mother and the baby, even beyond the post-partum period. There are several types of mental health disorders in the post-partum period: 1.     Postpartum blues: These are also known as “Baby blues” and are very common, often reported in upto 85% of women. The symptoms are crying spells, irritability, confusion and agitation...