Conflict abetting mental disorder, drug abuse: Dr RK Lenin
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sonia Sorensangbam

Imphal, December 05 2024: With the conflict raging for more than 18 months, almost every person in the state is becoming increasingly mentally exhausted, anxious and abusing drugs or intoxicants as coping mechanism, RIMS Psychiatric Department Prof RK Lenin has stated.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, Dr Lenin, who is also the president of IMA Manipur, said that the protracted unrest situation and various tragic incidents have affected everyone in the state in some way or the other regardless of whether they are displaced persons or living in their own homes, students, daily wage earners or professionals.

He continued that prior to COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict, Manipur ranked first in the country in terms of mental health cases.

In 2016, the National Mental Health Survey put mental health disorders in Manipur at 13 per cent compared to the all India figure of 11 per cent.

When the pandemic occurred, it affected everyone mentally as well.

The same could be said with regard to the conflict.

While all are patient and tolerating the protracted unrest situation, the stress and anxiety due to sporadic cases of violence is extremely troublesome, he stated, adding that the second phase of National Mental Health Survey has commenced and the report is awaited.

According to Dr Lenin, mental health is categorised into two-mental health disorders and Severe Mental Illness (SMI), which includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.

These illnesses do not differ on whether it is during conflict or in peaceful times, -with one case detected out of every 100 people.

Common mental disorder, however, has increased at an alarming rate and can be roughly seen in three groups.

This may first show up as depression symptoms like hopelessness, pessimism, mood swings, and lack of energy or interest in maintaining hygiene, and extreme weakness as if one is terminally ill.

In the second, the individual will be restless, suffer from high auditory sensitivity, panic attacks and in a state of anxiety.

These symptoms are majorly detected amongst those in the relief camps regardless of the age.

The displaced persons were also found suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), he conveyed.

In the third group, however, individuals particularly the youth use or turn to drugs as coping mechanism after seeing no hope for the future or feeling extremely frustrated, mentally exhausted or worthless.

As such, the number of drug addiction/abuse cases is rising in the state, he reasoned.

On top of this, there has been a rise in cases exhibiting suicidal tendencies.

Fortunately, the people of the state have repeatedly experienced situations similar to the prevailing scenario and as such, are quite resilient.

Thus, the current scenario is yet to reach the high level state of mental duress of the past, he remarked.

Reflecting on the common narratives "living on for my child, sick spouse..", by many patients, Dr Lenin said that the lack of the will to life and hope, greatly affects one's life.

In addition, there are cases where the person suffers from empathy disorder after watching the sad and tragic incidents in the media.

As the conflict continues, people are becoming increasingly frightful and anxious, thereby leading to increase mental exhaustion, panic attacks and drug abuse, he stated.

Stating that the existing situation is not conducive for good mental health, Dr Lenin also remarked that the usual practice of organising awareness programmes, distributing free medicines, and visiting every other location is not enough.

The delay in finding effective solution to the conflict, lack of a proper home, living like a refugee, effects on various sections including daily wage earners and losses to trade and businesses will obviously impact the economy of the state.

This will, in turn, will affect mental health, apart from incidents impacting the society, he added.

Stressing the need for concerted efforts with regard to the present situation, Dr Lenin suggested that pending solution to the on going humanitarian crisis, all should try to think positively and comfort one another, while hoping for a bright, successful and common future.

"In tiring times, we should come together and be with each other," he stated, while expressing firm belief that this would not only give courage but also reduce the burden on mental health, thereby lowering the occurrences of mental illnesses and suicidal ideations.

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