Doctor Answers

February 2, 2021

Dear Doctor,
I am diabetic person for 16 years now. Since 1 year my sugar levels are fluctuating a lot. I lost my wife to Covid in August. She was also diabetic. Now I am worried that I will die soon. I have got tested for Covid multiple times but it is negative. I cannot sleep. I feel much tensed. My heart beats very fast and at times I feel I cannot breathe. I have got tested by multiple doctors. They are saying it is anxiety. What to do?
Paul

Dear Mr Paul,
Please accept my condolences regarding your wife’s demise. We are all under tremendous stress due to this pandemic. Getting over concerned about illness however is not the solution to the problem. You have been tested to be normal. So do not worry. My suggestion is to visit a psychiatrist and initiate treatment for what seems like hypochondriasis. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Follow a diabetic diet. Exercise regularly. Stay away from substances of abuse. Connect with your other family members. Religious coping helps in many individuals. Most importantly don’t lose hope. Take care.

Dear Doctor,
I am a 17-year-old girl with headache. I get it on both sides of my head. It’s a tightening sensation. It is more in the evening. I do not get sleep at night. Even when I sleep I get nightmares. I don’t feel like going to college and can’t concentrate with the mask on. What should I do doctor?
Rita

Dear Rita,
Your symptoms are suggestive of tension headache. Relaxation exercise and biofeedback techniques help to relieve those. Sleep hygiene can be taught to improve sleep quality. A psychologist may be consulted in mild cases. Mask is a safety measure and you cannot do away with it now. However whenever you can, get some fresh air and take in deep breaths. Practice breathing exercises. Please consult a psychiatrist for Medication for tension headache if it is severe.

Dear Doctor,
I pull my hair. It started after my brother died 5 years ago. Earlier it used to be only rarely when I was tensed. Now it is there more frequently and whenever I am alone I end up pulling a lot of hair. I have developed bald patches. I am thinking of buying a wig. I googled the problem. It’s trichotillomania. Can you suggest some measures that I can try to overcome it myself?
Shanthi

Dear Shanthi,
Trichotillomania comes under habit and impulse control disorders. Behaviour therapy consists of habit reversal strategies such as learning relaxation exercise, recognising triggers of hair pulling, maintaining a diary of such behaviour and rewarding good behaviour. It’s better taught by a professional. Also if there is any underlying depression or unresolved grief due to brother’s demise it has to be addressed. My suggestion is to consult a psychiatrist.

 

 

 

By Dr Supriya Hegde
Dr Supriya Hegde is HOD of Psychiatry dept at Fr Muller College Hospital and a counselor at Arogya Clinic, Falnir.
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Comment on this article

  • Rudra, Udupi

    Fri, Feb 05 2021

    Nice article doctor. Society should support mentally ill people and helps them to come out of it. Taking medication is very important

  • Roshan Dsouza, UAE

    Thu, Feb 04 2021

    Nice article doctor. Once i came to meet you. But unfortunately could not meet you.

  • Rohan, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 02 2021

    Very nice article Dr.
    Taking medical help is most important that too at the earliest for anyone
    Also having self belief and to know the power of self is most important
    Nothing is impossible and we can make it happen should be the approach of each and everyone
    Never to depend on anything other than self will surely bring happiness and peace within

  • John, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 02 2021

    Apart from following Doctor's advise, guidelines and prescribed medicines,

    Following are few wonderful prayers available to anyone during or post bereavement of loved ones,

    "If you have to face death or if a loved one has to face death then always turn to Me, your Jesus, to help. When you do I will lift you in spirit, wipe away your tears, banish all fear from your hearts when you recite this prayer."

    Crusade Prayer (142) Preparing for death
    My dearest Jesus, forgive me my sins. Cleanse my soul and prepare me to enter Your Kingdom.
    Grant me the Graces to prepare for my unification with You. Help me to overcome any fear.
    Grant me the courage to prepare my mind and my soul, so that I am fit to stand before You.
    I love You. I trust in You. I give You myself in body, mind and soul for eternity. Let Your Will be mine and release me from pain, doubts or confusion. Amen.

    Crusade Prayer (45) Prayer to conquer negative thoughts

    O Jesus, I know very little about You, but please help me to open my heart to allow You to come into my soul, so that You can heal me, comfort me, and fill me with Your Peace.
    Help me to feel joy, to conquer all negative thoughts, and to learn the way to make me understand how to please You, so that I can enter Your New Paradise, where I can live a life of love, joy and wonder with You, forever and ever.
    Amen.

    Crusade Prayer (94) To cure the mind, body and soul

    O dear Jesus, I lay myself before You, weary, sick, in pain and with a longing to hear Your Voice.
    Let me be touched by Your Divine Presence, so that I will be flooded by Your Divine Light through my mind, body and soul.
    I trust in Your Mercy.
    I surrender my pain and suffering completely before You and I ask that You give me the grace to trust in You, so that You can cure me of this pain and darkness, so that I can become whole again and, so that I can follow the Path of Truth and allow
    You to lead me to life in the New Paradise.
    Amen.

    Ref:
    http://crusadeprayergroup.org/crusade.html


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