City kids face stress, parents turn to shrinks

Psychiatrists and counsellors report rise in cases coming to them

MUMBAI: It’s not everyday that a psychologist gets an invitation to a kitty party. So, Dr Seema Hingorrany was pleasantly surprised when one such group invited her to talk to their members on how to deal with children. Another group of parents organised a get together for teens where she was asked to give a talk on sex education and other issues.

With stress on school children increasing given the pressure to perform, be it in academics, extra-curricular activities or sports, an increasing number of parents are seeking out psychiatrists and counsellors.

While conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disability (LD) and autism are relatively well known and can be diagnosed and treated, it’s separation anxiety, school phobia, panic induced by exam stress, and resultant depression that Mumbai’s children are grappling with.

“Though all of these problems have been seen for long, what is alarming is that the number of cases has risen sharply over the years,” said Seema Hingorrany, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.

She says she has seen a 75% rise in the number of child patients in the past five years. Hingorrany gets patients as young as seven to even 18-year-olds.

“I have had to counsel intelligent children who were so scared of appearing for exams that they suffered panic attacks. More often than not it is the fear of not living up to the expectations built up by parents and the teacher,” says Dr Kersi Chavda, consultant psychiatrist, Hinduja Hospital and vice-president of Bombay Psychiatrists Association (BPA).  

Another problem, according to Chavda, is bullying. “Though it is common, unfortunately no one takes it seriously,” he says, adding that this could also be a trigger for school phobia and result in depression, social inhibition and other problems that parents may not be able to understand.

Troubled kids also have Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par to thank. The film led to a huge surge in awazreness about learning disabilities and other child-related problems, says Dr Rajesh Parikh, director, psychiatry research, Jaslok Hospital, who sees at least 10 new parents a month seeking help for their child. But the last few years have also seen the stigma of psychiatric illness melt away, he adds.

And sometimes, the trip to the doctor can be an eye-opener. Like the case of a five-year-old girl who refused to write. “Her parents had tried everything from coaxing, scolding to even spanking her. They were at their wits’ end when they came to me. She was diagnosed with a strange problem - numbness in her fingertips, which she couldn’t communicate to her parents,” recalls a child psychiatrist.

“I see it as a positive move,” says psychiatrist Dr Fabian Almeida. “Over-anxious parents bringing in their child for a check-up have nothing to lose. At least they are eliminating the risk of the problem spinning out of control,” he explained.

“Children are under a lot of stress and we see that in their behaviour. Attention-seeking behaviour, aloofness and any sudden change in behaviour are indicative of a problem,” said Dr Hozefa Bhinderwala, psychiatrist, Saifee Hospital, who regularly organises interactive sessions for parents and teachers.

“The idea is to bring the two adult groups — teachers and parents — together,” he says.