Problems and Their Solutions

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Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder One of the leading contributors to disability, exacerbated by societal pressures, economic hardships, and lack of open dialogue on mental health.

Mild to Moderate Depression: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), or group therapy.

Severe Depression: Antidepressants combined with psychotherapy.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Panic Disorder

Specific Phobias

Social Anxiety Disorder

Agoraphobia Workplace stress, competitive education, and urbanization contribute significantly to rising anxiety levels.

CBT: Focused on identifying triggers, restructuring negative thoughts, and exposure therapy for phobias.

Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Medications: SSRIs or benzodiazepines (short-term).

Workplace Interventions: Stress management workshops and flexible work schedules.

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder Often misdiagnosed as mood swings; inadequate psychiatric resources for long-term management.

Pharmacotherapy: Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics for acute episodes.

Psychotherapy: Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) to maintain daily routines and reduce relapse.

Psychoeducation: For patients and caregivers to recognize early signs of mood episodes.

Lifestyle Changes: Incorporating stress management and regular sleep patterns.

Intellectual Disabilities (e.g., Intellectual Developmental Disorder)

Communication Disorders (e.g., Language Disorder, Speech Sound Disorder)

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Specific Learning Disorder (e.g., Dyslexia, Dysgraphia)

Motor Disorders (e.g., Developmental Coordination Disorder, Tourette’s Disorder)

Intellectual Disabilities: Early childhood interventions, individualized education plans (IEPs), vocational training, and parental training.

Communication Disorders: Speech therapy, language interventions, and assistive communication devices.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral therapies (e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis), social skills training, and sensory integration therapy.

ADHD: Behavioral therapy, parent management training, school accommodations, and pharmacotherapy

Specific Learning Disorder: Remedial education, assistive technology (e.g., text-to-speech), and teacher training for inclusive education, habit reversal training.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Hoarding Disorder Cultural taboos often lead to OCD symptoms being normalized or ignored.

CBT with ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): The gold-standard treatment.

Medication: SSRIs for symptom management.

Support Groups: Peer groups to reduce isolation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (common in survivors of abuse, natural disasters, or violent incidents).Frequent exposure to trauma from communal violence, caste-based discrimination, and domestic abuse.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Often misconstrued as possession or supernatural influence in rural settings. 

CBT and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy): For managing dissociation and emotional regulation.

Family Therapy: To address misconceptions and improve family support.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Conversion Disorder Physical symptoms of psychological distress are prevalent due to the stigma of admitting mental health issues.

Trauma-Focused CBT: For PTSD.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): For processing trauma. Psychoeducation: For trauma survivors and their families. 

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Binge-Eating Disorder Rising among urban youth due to body image issues perpetuated by social media and unrealistic beauty standards.

Nutritional Counseling: With a focus on gradual weight restoration.

CBT-E (Enhanced CBT): For modifying dysfunctional eating patterns.

Group Therapy: To foster peer support.

Insomnia Disorder Increased by excessive screen use, irregular work schedules, and stress.

CBT-I (CBT for Insomnia): Addressing sleep hygiene and cognitive distortions about sleep.

Medications: Short-term use of hypnotics or melatonin.

Technology Management: Limiting screen time before bed.

Alcohol Use Disorder Cannabis Use Disorder Opioid Use Disorder

Detoxification and Medications: For withdrawal management (e.g., naltrexone for alcohol dependence).

Psychotherapy: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and CBT.

Rehabilitation: Long-term residential programs.

Alzheimer’s Disease)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) An aging population and lack of awareness about cognitive health contribute to the burden.

Cognitive Stimulation / Retraining Therapy: For mild to moderate dementia.

Medications for Alzheimer’s.

Caregiver Support: Education and respite care programs.