Fear of unknown affecting people, says neurologist

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 5

Amid the extended lockdown, eminent neurologist Dr Sushil Razdan has said continued isolation is testing the stress-coping mechanism of people and it could lead to an increase in the psychological disorders in Jammu and Kashmir, already affected by decades of violence.

Razdan, who receives a large number of psychiatric patients, especially from the trouble-torn Kashmir valley, said the ‘fear of unknown and the fear of future’ was affecting individuals as their normal lives had been disrupted.

Talking to The Tribune, Razdan, one of the leading neurologists in the country, said: “I receive many calls from people who express their fears about the present situation and how it is impacting them. The loss of work and income is a major concern as they see no end to the present situation.”

The UT was put under the lockdown on March 23 like the rest of the country. Since the lockdown, Razdan is providing medical consultation to patients via telephone daily from 10 am to 5 pm but he said it a difficult situation.

“We cannot see our patients face to face. But we have managed to create a good interactive system. I speak to patients on the phone. We do as much work as possible so that they don’t suffer,” the neurologist said.

Expressing concern over the continued closure of the OPDs, Razdan said, “The fight against the coronavirus has led to the neglect of patients suffering from normal diseases and emergencies. The shutdown was important but now regular work should start in hospitals.”

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