Lucknow: Nearly 50% of the patients suffering from severe mental diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder discontinue medication , leading to relapse and worsening of the disease, experts said at a workshop in the city on Saturday.Head of psychiatry department at King George’s Medical University, Prof Vivek Agrawal, said stopping medicines can cause permanent damage, and patients often fail to regain their pre-illness personality. Such patients require long-term, often lifelong support.Prof Sujit Kumar Kar, another psychiatrist added that the first episode commonly occurs between the age of 20-30, and early diagnosis can ensure shorter treatment and near-normal behaviour, but stigma among caregivers and poor adherence to medicines remain major barriers.He emphasized that mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often show clear warning signs such as sudden mood changes, anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, poor concentration and withdrawal from family or friends. In some cases, patients may show unusual behaviour, confusion or lack of interest in daily activities.Dr Prabhat Sitholey, former KGMU psychiatry head, said caregivers should watch for these early signs and seek medical help without delay. They must ensure that patients take medicines regularly, attend follow-up visits and live in a supportive, stress-free environment. Open communication, patience and avoiding stigma are crucial, as timely care and emotional support can help patients recover better and prevent the condition from worsening.He also raised the issue of rising conflicts in relationships severely affecting the mental health of youth, sometimes pushing them towards violence and suicide. He noted that around 4% of youth show suicidal tendencies, while one in seven adolescents (10–19 years) suffers from some form of mental disorder.Experts said academic pressure, social media influence and complex personal relationships are key stress factors. Psychiatrist Dr Shashi Rai said such stress often shows as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite and declining academic performance.Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh stressed the need for early counselling, emotional education in schools and open conversations to reduce stigma.
