Recovery rate of mentally ill high in India:Noted psychiatrist

The recovery rate of mentally ill patients is higher than any other country owing to the caregivers playing their role effectively, an eminent psychiatrist said today.
India Psychiatry Society (IPS) president Dr Vidyadhar Watve made this observation as a chief guest at a function organized by the Institute for Psychological Health (IPH) here.
In mental illnesses, timely intervention leads to better recovery and this was mostly present in the country, which has upped the recovery rate, Watve said.
People should realise that a majority of psychiatric diseases are brain disorders like schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder. These are the major and most common ailments that are caused by chemical disorders in the brain, which means that they are just medical conditions and can be treated with medicines, he further said.

The renowned psychiatrist asserted that globally, the focus is shifting from morbidity of pyschiatric disorders to positive mental health.
On the occasion, several patients who had recovered from dreaded illnesses as well as those who took their proper care were honoured with "Dwij" awards.
IPH is an NGO wherein more than 70 mental health professionals work under one roof to give care to individuals, besides operating a number of support groups and a telephonic helpline 'Maitra'.