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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Managing Behavioral Difficulties in ASD Children

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »

We regularly get queries from young parents asking for support to understand the behaviour of their wards suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder and the behaviour difficulties faced by the affected children.

Children suffering from ASD have behaviour issues which are quite common. These issue relate to more about their communication, social interaction,working within the structured schedule and processing of the sensory information.However if parents are trained and equipped with the appropriate strategies , much of the stress and strain can be reduced bringing relief to the family and the child.They can often be managed through effective activity and behavior management.

There are many difficulties, ASD children face in their behaviour. These issues can be identified as difficulties in communication, issues of  sensory processing, social interaction, and physical balance issues that can make active play more difficult for these kids. Parents and caregivers need to understand that  such behaviours as appear inappropriate are in reality symptoms of the difficulties the child with ASD is facing in his her day to interaction and communicate with others .

Understanding the Causes of Inappropriate Behaviour

The main causes of behavioral difficulties are generally as follows:

Difficulties with communication: Children with ASD struggle with both verbal and expressive language, understanding what is being said to them, and comprehending non-verbal communication cues. This can, become quite frustrating for both the communicator and the child .The child may not be into problem behaviour but to the other person it would appear so ,which causes frustration at both ends.

Difficulties with social situations: The difficulties presented by social situations for a person with ASD are much more than mere communication; people with ASD struggle to understand others’ points of view and grasp the “unspoken rules” of social interaction that state when to, begin and when end a conversation. They are in no position to get the emotional nuances of social communication. Due to all of this, children with ASD may avoid social contact, and they are more likely to experience being harrassed and feel overwhelmed by unnecessary intervention by others in their life .

Difficulties with unstructured time: People with ASD have a hard time dealing with situations where there is no set schedule, as their brains have a hard time sequencing activities on their own out of the given timetable and schedule. Due to this some of the children with ASD are more likely to act out during the period which is not scheduled earlier eg.free period or suddenly declared break times, as they feel confused and frustrated.

Difficulties processing sensory information: Those with ASD often have over or under-sensitive senses, leading to a tendency to get overwhelmed or to seek attention to such a degree that it becomes embarrassing for the accompanying parent and the person interacting with the child.. ASD affected child may react strongly to an unwanted touch, be very selective and particular food eater, get largely disturbed and irritated by loud noises ( be it a noise coming from far off .The child feels unable to concentrate on account of background noise and reacts adversely.

Additionally, one should always remember that people with ASD do not easily adapt to change.Parents managing their ASD ward should be aware of the changes being brought about in their environment or schedule that can trigger problem behaviours.A sudden bout of Illness (especially seizures, which ASD individuals may be prone to) can also trigger adverse reactions as the child with ASD cannot give verbal expression to his or her pain. Doctors advise parents to use picture posters or diagrams to help children express where they are feeling pain.

Dealing with Problem Behaviour

It’s key to understand that the child is using these behaviours to try to communicate something to you, or to achieve some specific function. It’s vital to look under the surface of these behaviours so as to discover the unaddressed needs below. Try to asses what you child is trying to tell you, rather than reacting to the behaviour itself (resist “punishing”; few ASD children actually understand the cause and effect implied by it). It’s also advised to keep a “behaviour diary” or chart so that one can identify patterns in a child’s behaviour and from there, isolate what’s triggering the child’s episodes. One can then develop strategies to avoid or manage the triggers (be sure to introduce these slowly, as sudden changes in routine will do more harm than good). Likewise, expect the child to initially resist the change; stay patient and be consistent with it regardless, and make sure that other family members, teachers, and caregivers are also keeping consistent with it.

One should also develop supportive therapies to help the child shed his or her frustration; these typically include: exercise, brief time out periods in a quiet, darkened space, and relaxing activities. Set achievable treatment goals and don’t push too hard for rapid improvement, as people with ASD can struggle to integrate new knowledge and change behaviours.

To get the best out of a child with ASD, it’s often helpful to employ the following strategies:

  • Speak clearly and precisely (and use short sentences) in order to work around the difficulties that arise with complex verbal communication.
  • Use visual supports. Many children with ASD process visual information more easily than other forms of information. Timetables can be helpful to assist children in understanding schedules.
  • Create “social stories”. These are brief descriptions (using words and images) of situations, events, or activities that help tell a child with ASD what to expect during an upcoming social situation.
  • Help the child identify his or her emotions. This is often challenging to a child with ASD; use visual aids (such as “stress scales”) to help the child quantify what he or she is feeling and how intensely, and help the child learn via physical associations, such as showing him or her that anger connects to a reddening of the face, stomach pain, the urge to cry, etc.
  • Help them learn to relax. Children with ASD find it hard to relax, and can be very “intense” and obsessive in their interests. Try to work relaxing activities or some quiet “alone time” into his or her daily routine.
  • Make their environment more soothing. As children with ASD can become overwhelmed by sensory information, it’s important to ensure their environments are as free as possible of sensory irritants. Flickering lights, devices that give off background noise, scented candles, etc., should be removed.
  • Give praise, in the form your child likes best. Praise is as important to an ASD child’s learning as it is to most children’s learning, but depending on their unique needs, praise may have to be modified to suit the child. For example, some may not like hugs, some may not recognize verbal praise. Often visual cues like stickers on charts or time doing a favourite activity as a reward are effective forms of praise. Praise should be as immediate as possible so that the child can assess cause and effect.

Seeking Help

 If your child’s behaviour is placing him or herself at risk, or others at risk, you should seek professional help by a psychologist or psychiatrist, rather than trying to handle the situation on your own.

(more…)

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High-functioning depression: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

What is high-functioning depression?

Sudhir (name changed ) has been managing his large company for years together and didn’t believe it could happen to him when he was told by this psychologist ,” you have been suffering from high functioning depression”. “ But how is this possible ,I have been managing all my affairs well and attending to all my routine .However the family could notice him being bored quite quickly and Sudhir has of late been getting tired often ,showing signs of irritation and impatience .

Often it is believed that a high functioning individual can never be depressed or even tired because he seems to always be active ,agile and his metabolism could be working at its best .But that may not be the case always .

High-functioning people always seem to be on the drive manning not only their work but also of others work too. High functioning depression is a term used to describe people who experience symptoms of depression  while largely maintaining their daily responsibilities and outward appearance. Such high functioning individuals often are able to maintain high flying careers, professional relationships, and social lives, making it difficult even for themselves to recognize their own depressed state of mind .It could generally be taken as tiredness and distraction and they shrug it away ,when told that they could have a depression.

Is high -functioning depression a mental illness or an emotional disorder ?

The term high-functioning depression has not been officially recognised anywhere till now neither in ICD 10 or even in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is thus obviously not diagnosed by your psychiatrist or a psychologist.

It’s possible for a person to meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) while hiding many of the signs and symptoms by their being busy active and over the situation.When this is the case, they may be informally described as having high-functioning depression.

Persistent Depressive disorder is a recognised mental health condition characterized by long-term, chronic bouts of depression.

High-functioning depression and PDD share similarities, but they’re not the same. The term “high-functioning depression” describes someone who mostly keeps up appearances ,despite depressive symptoms.

If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing any form of depression and feel that because of your high functioning you are not able to decide what it is , it’s important to seek professional help. A professional psychologist or a psychiatrist can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Symptoms of high functioning depression

Because it’s not an official diagnosis, high-functioning depression doesn’t have distinct symptoms. Warning signs of high-functioning depression, and of depressive disorders generally, can include:

  • Persistent feelings of aloofness ,sadness  or emptiness
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions with clarity
  • Periodic low self esteem and self-doubts
  • Persistent fatigue or regular low energy
  • Erratic or altered sleep patterns (not able to sleep or oversleeping)
  • Change in eating habits .Appetite changes (increased or decreased)
  • Irritation or restlessness
  • Loss of interest in normally previous enjoyed activities
  • Feelings of giving up ,hopelessness or pessimism
  • Physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues
  • Thoughts of self harm ,death or suicide .

The situation can be different for different people.Depression can look different for everyone, and you don’t need to hit a bout of actual sickness or depression. Now is the good time for you to seek help.

People with high-functioning depression may try to hide their symptoms from others, often out of fear of being judged or a feeling of embarrassment.Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness. Even if coping with high-functioning depression seems possible on your own, you don’t need to manage without help. Treatment can help alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent the condition from worsening over time.A person attempting to hide symptoms of depression may aggravate the problem hence let’s not delay further but talk now .

You can reach out to us

Call 7224896739 or email

mansikpramarsh@gmail.com

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com.

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Our Intensive Intervention Protocol for Depression Anxiety and Stress and for Many other Mental Behavioural and Psychological Disorders

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The recent breakthrough in the cerebral areas research (brain )has revealed that chronic stress, PTSD ,and Depression can damage brain circuits particularly in the Prefrontal cortex . This part of human brain talks to the other region that regulate mood ,motivation, fear and reward .Psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists generally prescribe medicines to repair such damaged parts of prefrontal cortex and establish new pathways called synapses and also regrow the damaged neurons .(source Monitor on Psychology (June 2024) .Such medicines take a long time in bringing about the necessary changes in brain circuits.

We have however observed that the practice of swas preksha (perceptive breathing meditation ) done for prefrontal cortex’s helps in establishing connects to the inner parts of amygdala ,hypothalamus and cortex . Such activity done on regular basis every day for a few minutes under guided therapy can establish the synaptic connects again and in a faster manner .

In addition the process of Mahapran Dhwani (inner resurgic focussed sound therapy for stimulation of cerebrospinal areas and prefrontals )alongside the gut and mind areas helps in regrowing of neurons in the related areas.Such a guided therapy conducted on the gut and mind (vagus nerves ) also helps in the clearing of the vagal functioning and better recovery .

(This however is not a replacement for medicine treatment but additional supportive therapy for our clients in order to help them recover faster .)

The 10-Days Concurrent Neuro-Somatic Protocol has been developed by us after a combined experience of over 50000 -75000 counselling and perceptive meditations sessions , conducted over a quarter of a century expertise .For the past twenty five years or more we have been able to help thousands of depressed ,anxious and stressed people overcome their distresses and disorders .

We now offer the same to millions of others to help then come out of their mental , emotional ,behavioural and psychological problems in a more disciplined sustained and comprehensive manner .
Daily Schedule Commitment:
60 Minutes Total (3 x 20-Minute Modules)
Days 1 to 10: The Daily Tri-Phasic Session of an hour both offline in person or online through video calling sessions.

Every Day , the client completes three distinct 20-minute interventions to address the nervous system as a whole system:
Module 1: Cerebrospinal Stimulation Therapy (20 Minutes)Mechanism:Fluid dynamics and central nervous system structural regulation.
Daily Target: Calming autonomic arousal, establishing absolute physical safety, and preparing the spinal axis to receive neural signals.
Module 2: Gut and Mind Therapy (20 Minutes)Mechanism: Central nervous system regulation and vagal nerve processing.
Daily Target: Releasing visceral emotional blockages, balancing microbiome-to-brain signals, and stabilizing the chemical foundations of mood.
Module 3: Perceptive Meditation & Prefrontal Cortex Connects (20 Minutes Mechanisms )
: Synaptic activation and cortical network integration.
Daily Target: Actively re-establishing suppressed neurons and synapses. Removing barriers between the prefrontal cortex and the wider cortex to instantly correct how current real-world situations are perceived and processed.
Day 10 :
The Post-Protocol Clinical Review and further action plan.

All those who are really keen on helping themselves in a more positive and planned way to treat themselves out of their disorders and lead a better peaceful daily life can connect with us at

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com

http://www.familytherapyindia.com

Or write to us at 

Mansikpramarsh@gmail.com 

We look forward to really help you

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What Is Family Enmeshment? Understanding Boundaries, Control, and Codependency

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist on September 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

(All names and situations have been changed and the privacy of all have been maintained)

Family relationships have always had a huge impact on our lives, as we learn our first non-explicit jargons to the defined behavioural alphabets within our families. We grow, we evolve, and we carry on the journey of our lives. The family harmony is very essential for such a growth. But there are times when family members can become increasingly involved in each other’s lives, making it uncomfortable for everyone.

They act beyond the boundaries set in relationship and trespassing the limits of privacy and independent thinking. Family, in such an event, faces much stress and strains of relationship. Such an enmeshed family causes distress amongst members all around.

We need to thus identify what and how much involvement causes harmony, how much closeness leaves a positive impact, and what can really be an enmeshed situation where people may feel suffocated. How do we identify such an enmeshed family?

Dr Preeti, who belongs to a nuclear family, got married into a family where everyone’s life runs so intertwined into each other’s life. Her husband and his elder brother work together in a family business set up by their father. The family dynamics are such enmeshed that both the elder brother and the younger one do not have any financial independence from the business they run together. The financial decisions are taken by the elder brother of their father. Similarly, other decisions concerning the day to day life need to be approved by the elders of the family, and in this case, the elder daughter in law of the family. That leaves Dr Preeti quite exasperated on several occasions. At her home, she didn’t have to seek anyone’s approvals for running her daily affairs.

Dr Preeti felt as if her life (including her husband’s) life was intertwined to the other members of husband’s family like a yarn of a puppet show where the command is being given by someone else from behind the stage.

She realised that all the members of her husband’s family are tied to similar threads and each one is enmeshed and tangled up in each other’s life. In an enmeshed family, all the strands are tangled up together. Because everyone’s lives are so intertwined, individual needs and identities can get lost, and emotions are dis-regulated. Outbursts of anxiety and anger become everyday affair.

Closeness vs. enmeshment

The difference between an enmeshed family and a close-knit family lies in how they handle boundaries and individuality.

Individuals can flourish and attain what they want to because, in a close-knit family, every one supports the other member without tying them to the enmeshment and intertwining of their desires and ambitions.

When families are close: it is but natural to have strong bonds with your family members. These bonds are replete with love and care for each other. They also respect each other’s personal space and independence. They encourage each other to grow as individuals and make their own choices without feeling pressured or guilty.

When families are enmeshed: the boundaries between family members become blurry. They may be so involved in each other’s lives that it’s hard for individuals to make their own decisions and separate out their own thoughts and feelings. They may feel obligated to do things to please their family, even if it’s not what they truly want.

We take the case of Suzie, who was always expected to take care of her husband’s elder brother and his wife just because her in-laws wanted to run the family in this way. But Suzie found no support coming from her counter part.

Being the young daughter in law in the family, Suzie did try to cope up with it, but realising this enmeshment had been telling on her mental and emotional health, she gave up. The situation ultimately had become so complicated that both brothers had to part ways and live separately. It is obvious such enmeshed arrangement found its toll on relationship.

Are enmeshed family members codependent?

Enmeshment and codependency are related, and both can happen in families as well as other kinds of relationships, but they’re not exactly the same.

Enmeshment happens when two or more people are so deeply involved in each other’s lives, relationships, and decision-making that their social, financial autonomy, emotional and mental health are compromised.

In a codependent relationship (such as a couple or a parent and child), one member relies too much on the other for emotional support, validation, or a sense of identity.

Members of an enmeshed family may show signs of codependency, but that doesn’t mean they’re always codependent. The degree can vary among family members, and people may display different levels of codependency in different relationships.

Enmeshment in different family systems

Familial values, norms, and dynamics can vary widely, both within and between family systems. In cultures or communities that emphasize autonomy and independence, boundaries between family members are often expected to be more defined.

But in other cultures, enmeshment may be a more common and valued mean of maintaining strong family bonds.

Cultural factors can affect not just a family’s dynamics, but children’s experiences with those dynamics. In communities that place a strong emphasis on intergenerational responsibility, children may be expected to prioritize the needs and wishes of their parents and extended family, and this doesn’t necessarily have a negative impact.

In joint family system, it was found that enmeshment benefited members’ emotional well-being, especially when the families living together were dependent economically on one family business of a joint family and managed by a paternal or maternal head with individuals being controlled by the norms of a joint family.

Signs of an Enmeshed Family

In an enmeshed family, love and support can come with a high level of controlled exercised too. In such families, people will have both direct and indirect systems of adherence to follow, undermining individual thinking and freedom of working for individual expression.

However, the signs and symptoms of enmeshment will be diverse for each individual, and so would be the outward expressions of behaviour and emotional adjustment to the enmeshed situation in the family. Some of the common signs can be:

Signs seen in adults:

When parents, caregivers, and adult members of enmeshed families (including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and so on) have difficulty setting boundaries with their own young ones or the youngsters of other families they’re related to, they can be showing following signs in their behaviour:

  • Being overly protective and keeping the children away from challenges that can create a conflicting situation in their minds.
  • Micromanaging lives of other members and making their decisions for them even on day to day matters.
  • Guilt-tripping other members to get them to do what the controlling person wants in the name of the family unity.
  • Control of others members privacy by checking their belongings and/or directing their activities.
  • Rely heavily on other members of family for the emotional support and validation repeatedly.
  • The members control others members by posing as their well wishers.
  • Refuse to accept that the junior members of the family also are adults now and can handle their own affairs.
  • They always appeal to maintain family unity over individual needs.
  • They want to make decisions for others when they get into outside relationships.
  • Put down or appeal to others to avoid family conflicts to keep the peace of family as the top priority.

How do youngsters behave in an enmeshed family

Young members in an enmeshed family are always the most confused lot.

They are always careful to not to hurt others or themselves get hurt that could cause conflicts in the family.

Since they haven’t been ever encouraged to think independently, they have trouble making decisions.

When they reach adulthood and want to settle on their own, they struggle to stay outside the family.

They also find it difficult to set up their own business or work in a job outside family.

They believe their value systems are what their family has followed all the while, and they cannot think outside such system.

They fall in love only if it makes their family happy, and they expect their partners too to work for the happiness of their family only.

To them, nothing seems to be present outside their family, and they believe it is their onerous duty to keep their family happy.

Enmeshment trauma can happen when a child is so involved in a parent’s emotional life and relationships that it harms the child’s well-being and affects their ability to set boundaries in adulthood.

They find it difficult to believe that friendship can develop outside their family or the friends too must be liked by their family and approved.

They find it difficult to control their emotional balance when they find any member in conflict with their family, and they believe they must protect family.

They, in such a situation, reverse their roles and end up taking care of their parents emotionally or financially.

When these youngsters who have lived in enmeshed families come into adulthood, they are prone to develop depression, anxiety, attachment issues and emotional problems of adjustment with others. Such a situation can have damaging effects on their relationship and trust. This type of trauma can leave people feeling unable to identify their own emotional needs or even that of their partners.

If you believe that some of these signs and symptoms can be seen in your family, and you need help, please contact us.

mansikpramarsh@gmail.com or reach us @ 9179383554

www.mansikpramarsh.com

www.familytherapyindia.com

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Matters of Mind and Heart -Reaching Emotional Stability and Life Balance

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Mind and heart

Much has been written by thinkers, philosophers, scientists, sages and preachers on the subject of mind and heart. There has been  endless research on the issue of restless mind and spirit of human beings, yet the peace still eludes many of us. The world still suffers from many diseases of the mind and heart. Words like depression, anxiety, stress and phobic disorder, mental disorder, behavioral disorder are being used like the common place flu and colds happening to ordinary people. The medical world abounds by all kinds of medicines and treatments, offering little respite to those who suffer. People  continue to suffer .Their restless minds and souls are constantly being tormented.

Through the columns of these pages we will try to understand how do we establish  better understanding  of these matters of mind and heart to reach emotional stability in our lives and keep our lives balanced.

We humans are connected with the organic world with the most developed brain and thinking powers. In the organic world three kinds of living beings exist i.e., those that have the instinctual survival bereft of any emotions, those that survive only on the basis of their physical strength and display only momentary emotional awareness .

Humans have been bestowed with the powers that can generate emotions in our system involuntarily and activate our thinking system whether we like it or not.  

We also have a fully developed mental perception, which can take cognizance of the matter and connect it to the events and consequences.

We have a fully developed memory. We think, we imagine, we connect and we activate. Much as man would like to become thoughtless at times, sleep without any connection to the real world, the brain continues working either voluntarily but mostly involuntarily.

The involuntary emotional system activates our mind all the time. It forces the mind to imagine, to create and to dream. The dreams motivate us to plan which are executed by us to realize all those that we dreamt of. But in the law of our land where we have the thought, the power to dream and the power to reflect, we do have the situations that cause conflict and pain. For wherever there is a mind, the thought, the power to reflect, the analytical skill, there we have the conflict, the contradiction. No mental activity can ever be without the contradictory and opposite situation.

Wherever we have the mind, we have the pain and we have the misery.

Man however does not want to suffer. He wants to always be in comfort, in happiness and in the enjoyment of a happy life. This is a natural phenomenon .All living beings look for a life full of comforts. The inanimate only do not know the difference between   the comfort and discomfort.

The living beings who do not have a mind suffer only for a short while. Their sense of discomfort is only short lived,  is unexpressed on account of lack of emotions . They do not consign their discomfort to their   memory bank. Nor do they draw upon their memory bank to reflect and compare their current and past discomfort. But man being a thinking organic sensitive emotional mind feels, expresses, analyses ,compares  and consigns  all comforts and discomforts to his   memory bank, thus in a way being always under the load of misery .

Can the mind be free from worries and miseries? 

We are all part of the larger organic world in which we are all living beings like millions of other kinds of living being inhabiting the solar system. Our world in fact as compared to the world of other living beings of the universe is too small. We are very miniscule in numbers, barely a few trillions all over the globe.

The other planets must be peopled with many more living beings which the science is continuously researching into. Whether those living beings too have similar emotions, thoughts, mind and heart developed like us, only the research will find out.

But humans of our dear earth are endowed with a developed mental faculty. we all think .Thinking ,reflecting is an activity of the mind. We remember, we consign our thoughts to memory bank. We imagine. We create thoughts. Creation of thoughts and imagination is a mental exercise. We plan larger things for our life by the strength of our imagination .We dream of things that are larger than our life. We aspire for making these dreams come true. we do realize some of these dreams, imagination, and aspirations yet many other remain out of reach .

In order to understand the malady that has befallen the modern mind we will have to know the functioning of the mind in the modern age .the modern times are the reflectors of the cerebral psychological problems. Every individual is  involved fully into the mental day to day stresses of life.

The involvement of the human mind into the cerebral problems becomes the major detriment to the peace and happiness of the human intellect.  Every human being wants to become free of the mental stress that he is suffering from.  We need to understand as to what mind is, in order to get liberated from the stresses and problems of the mind.

Without really looking into the functioning of the mind it is simply irrelevant to solve the problems that exist in our psyche today.

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What Is Schizophrenia?

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling brain disorder that affects about 1% of Americans. It may cause people to hear voices, see imaginary sights, or believe other people are controlling their thoughts. These sensations can be frightening and often lead to erratic behavior. There is no cure, but treatment can usually control the most serious symptoms.
Schizophrenia Symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia may include
• Delusions — wildly false beliefs
• Paranoia — the fear others are plotting against you
• Hallucinations — hearing voices or imagining things that do not exist
Some symptoms, such as lack of enjoyment in everyday life and withdrawal from social activities, may mimic depression.
How Schizophrenia Affects Thoughts

People with schizophrenia often have abnormal ways of thinking. They may have trouble organizing their thoughts or making logical connections. They may feel like the mind is racing from one unrelated thought to another. Sometimes they experience “thought blocking,” a feeling that thoughts are removed from their head. Despite popular belief, schizophrenia is not dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder.
How Schizophrenia Affects Behavior

Schizophrenia causes a wide range of behaviors. People may speak incoherently or even make up words. They may act agitated or appear stone-faced. Many people have trouble maintaining basic hygiene or orderly homes. Schizophrenia can also cause repetitive behaviors, such as pacing. In contrast to common stereotypes, the risk of violence against others is small.
Who Gets Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia affects men and women at the same rate, and occurs almost equally in all ethnic groups around the world. Symptoms usually begin between ages 16 and 30. The onset tends to be earlier in men than in women. Schizophrenia rarely begins during childhood or after age 45. People with schizophrenia in their family may have a higher risk for the illness.
What Causes Schizophrenia?

The exact cause is not known, but scientists suspect genes and environment both play a role. Inside the brain, levels of the chemical messengers’ dopamine and glutamate may be out of balance. And brain structures may be abnormal, too. For example, brain scans of identical twins show that the fluid-filled “ventricles” can be larger in a twin with schizophrenia, compared with a twin who does not have the illness. Activity levels can also be higher or lower than normal in some areas of the schizophrenic brain.
Diagnosing Schizophrenia

There are no lab tests to detect schizophrenia, so a diagnosis is usually based on history and symptoms. Tests may be ordered to rule out other medical causes of symptoms. In teenagers, a combination of family history and certain behaviors can help predict the onset of schizophrenia. These behaviors include withdrawing from social groups and expressing unusual suspicions.
Medicine for Schizophrenia

Prescription drugs can reduce symptoms such as abnormal thinking, hallucinations, and delusions. It’s thought they work by regulating certain brain chemicals and receptors that influence thinking, perception, and behavior. Some people have troubling side effects, including tremors and weight gain. Schizophrenia drugs can also interact with other medications or supplements. In most cases, long-term medication is essential to managing schizophrenia.

Preksha Meditation

The symptoms associated with schizophrenia can be  reduced and behaviors and thoughts can be brought back to normal  by our regular daily counseling sessions/mental exercises/ preksha meditation and Kayotsarg
Psychosocial Therapies

Counseling can help people cope with their problem behaviors and thoughts, and improve how they relate to others. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), people learn to test the reality of their thoughts and better manage symptoms. Other forms of therapy aim to improve self-care, communication, and relationship skills. These strategies are are adopted in addition to medication, to help people  manage everyday challenges.
Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation may include job training, money management counseling, and guidance in using public transportation or shopping for groceries. The goal is to help people with schizophrenia stay employed and maintain as much independence as possible. Rehab programs are particularly effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Relapse Prevention

People with schizophrenia sometimes quit their medications because of side effects or a poor understanding of their illness. They may stop attending counselling / preksha meditation sessions  before the actual benefits occur to them. This raises the risk of serious symptoms returning and triggering a full psychotic episode. Regular psycho social therapy can help people stay on medication/CBT/ Preksha Meditation  and avoid a relapse or the need for hospitalization.
Schizophrenia and Relationships
Relationships can be a challenge for people with schizophrenia. Their unusual thoughts and behaviors may alienate friends, co-workers, and family members. Sticking to a treatment plan can reduce social isolation. One form of therapy focuses on forming and nurturing interpersonal relationships. In addition, support groups or family therapy can help loved ones better understand the illness.
Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse

People with schizophrenia are much more likely than the general population to abuse drugs or alcohol. Some drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, can make symptoms worse. Drug abuse can also interfere with treatments for schizophrenia. Patients with a drug problem may benefit from substance abuse programs specifically designed for people with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia and Pregnancy

Most drugs used to treat schizophrenia have no known risk for increasing the risk of birth defects, but decisions about medication treatment for schizophrenia during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor.
Tips for Family Members

Schizophrenia can be confused with other mental health disorders so a careful evaluation is key. It can also be difficult to convince someone with schizophrenia to get help. Treatment often begins when a psychotic episode results in a hospital stay. Once the person is stabilized, family members can help prevent a relapse by:
• Encouraging the person to stay on meditation/counselling /medication.
How can we help you: Mansik Pramarsh program for managing schizophrenia disorder is supported to help children and adults to overcome the symptoms associated with schizophrenia by our regular daily counseling sessions/mental exercises/ preksha meditation and Kayotsarg. Hundreds have benefited, it is your /your child’s turn now. Call 09179383554 or email: mansikpramarsh@gmail.com.

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Why Don’t My Kids Listen To Me and Always Oppose and Defy Me ?

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Joseph a twelve years old adolescent didn’t quite understand what was happening to him .Every time he would want to say something to his parents or even to the teacher in the school it would be taken as an upfront defiance .His father would rebuke him and mother would end up in tears resting the blame on Joseph .Joseph had been identified as the trouble maker in school too .

Jatin a 13 years old lad had been singled out by his class teacher for creating trouble for others in class and he had been set up a bench to sit away from others in the class room ,causing so much embarrassment to him.

He would be rebuked each time others would make a noise in the class .The teacher would simply name him out first and would not even make amends when she found it was some other student who led the riot .

Swara’s family didn’t quite understand why she had started shouting back at her parents and teachers of late .They looked at it as her sulking behaviour and brought her to the clinic for counseling.

Apparently all these and many more of such Children and adolescents are singled out by the parents and their teachers as defiant kids and they are brought to us so resolve their behaviours issues and treat them for oppositional and defiant disorder . Such children are often referred to psychologists or even psychiatrists for behaviour correction because of their regular bad behaviours ,emotional adjustment problems – aggressive outbursts ,disrespect of others ,not following the norms set up by schools or families.the other issues often referred to are truancy , skipping exams ,acts or threats of self-harm, suicide attempts , running away from home .None of the parents would understand that the problem is not the outward expressive behaviour but the underlying stresses ,trauma and unhealthy family relationships ,environment or dynamics could be the cause of the unacceptable behaviour and problematic adjustment in society.

Teachers would simply complain to the parents about the non cooperative manners of child and when parents fail to correct the child by way of punishment or admonishment ,they walk into the clinic with only one expectation of “just fix my kid.”

In all such cases it has been observed that come what may the parents will simply look at the Counselor for help and magic cure without realising that the parental active participation and the school teachers pro positive approach will be more helpful along with the therapy sessions at the psychologist’

Just one way efforts by the therapist do not work with adolescents with ADHD /Dissocial behaviour / Adjustment disorder .They regress sooner to the same behaviour as soon as they return to the familiar negative environment The relapse will occur as soon as the affected adolescent returns to the same unhealthy patterns in the family /school environment.

A few changes at Joseph’s school with support from an understanding teacher helped us bring about a very positive result .The same child now has become a favourite student of all teachers . As a result of active participation by Swara’s parents Swara has become more tolerant of her parents expectations and a very healthy environment prevails at the family.

Similarly we found out that a comprehensive holistic treatment with the entire family of other children mentioned above has been very productive and effective way of treating Oppositional Defiance disorder /ADD/ADHD /Dissocial disorder without taking resort to medications.

Our experience at the Family Therapy India and Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation has been to go for the top down approach by involving school teachers and parents to help kids with above problems and bring about a positive changes to the defiance and anxiety of the kids .

Family is fine when kids are fine

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Understanding depression and finding a solution .

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Depression

Do you  feel sad stressed and down  sometimes,  it could be natural to have a low state of mind  for  day or two but if it  persists and  low mood lingers on for more than a week   or two it could be  depression. Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that  stay with you  at least two weeks and  interrupt   your daily activities. Depression does not indicate weakness or   that you are a negative personality. all kinds of depression indicate some a major   health problem and needs to be treated medically .
Depression Symptoms: Emotional
The primary symptoms of depression are a  low and sad   and/or loss of interest in  day to day activities   of your  life. daily routine tasks  that were once pleasurable appear  much burdensome now .  a sense of guilt or worthlessness  prevails on the mind causing a  lack of hope, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide   can often trouble .
Depression Symptoms: Physical
Depression is sometimes linked to physical symptoms. These include:
•   tiredness, low  energy and fatigue .
•   sleeping very late in the night, early-morning waking and Insomnia.
• Excessive sleep  for long hours
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
Depression can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Key brain chemicals influence both mood and pain. Treating depression has been shown to improve co-existing illnesses.
Depression Symptom:  
Changes in appetite , sudden changes in the body  weight are symptoms  of depression. Increased appetite, or loss of appetite .sudden and  serious   unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Serious effects on daily routine of life.
Depression can cause loss of  careers, and strain relationships . Nothing seems good.    there is a complete loss of interest in pleasure  activities, including sex. In severe cases, depression can become life-threatening.
Suicide ideation can be sign of warning
Suicide  ideation is common amongst the depressed.  they often indulge in   talking about death or suicide.  they can get aggressive and  threaten to hurt people. This can be serious . You can immediately call 09179383554 to speak to us If   you ever think of or idealise suicide . We will help you overcome  such negativity.
Doctors   link the cause  of depression  to  altered brain structure and chemical function.   they are of the opinion that ,”Brain circuits that regulate mood may work less efficiently during depression.although it has not been conclusively proven in any validated research.   yet the Medicines  that treat depression are  prescribed  with the belief  to improve communication between neurons , making them function  normally. Experts also think that while   traumas caused by the stress of life  can trigger depression if and when  one is biologically prone and vulnerable  to develop the disorder. depression can also be caused by long term chronic disease , lack of vitamins  ,some of the  medications, alcohol or substance abuse,   thyroid, PCOS, hormonal changes, or even the season.
Diagnosing Depression:There is no   established  lab test for depression. There are a few tests developed by psychologists , make an accurate diagnosis, where the psychologists/  doctors analyse  a patient’s description of the symptoms  over a period of past two to six months . These tests will refer to your medical history, your mood history,  and  discuss   behaviors, and daily activities  which will help reveal the severity and type of depression . The test can also reveal anxiety and stress to find out the most effective treatment for depression.
Therapy for Depression
It has been observed  that various kind of  talk therapy can fight mild to moderate depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps analyse and change   thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy identifies how your relationships impact your mood. Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps people understand how their behavior and mood are affected by unresolved issues and unconscious feelings. Some patients find a few months of therapy are all they need, while others continue long term.
Medications for Depression
Good follow-up with your doctor is importance. If the first medication tried doesn’t help, there’s a good chance another will. The combination of talk therapy and medication appears particularly effective.

The Role of Social Support
Because loneliness goes hand-in-hand with depression, developing a social support network can be an important part of treatment. This may include joining a support group, finding an online support community, or making a genuine effort to see friends and family more often. Even joining a book club or taking classes at your gym can help you connect with people on a regular basis.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Another option for patients with treatment-resistant or severe melancholic depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment uses electric charges to create a controlled seizure. Patients are not conscious for the procedure. ECT helps 80% to 90% of patients who receive it, giving new hope to those who don’t improve with medication.

Preksha meditation :The Perceptive Breathing Technique Helps Fight Major Depression

preksha-meditation

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing technique can   bring down  the stress hormones in the central nervous system.

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive  breathing  exercises help alleviate severe depression, as has been proved by the treatment of many patients by  us who have long been under the treatment  of  medication  administering  medicines .

Most of our  patients  , had depression that had not responded to medication  even after a long treatment .The beneficial treatment   under Preksha meditation -shwas preksha -The Perceptive Breathing Technique conducted on a large group of patients , by us in our clinic reveal that :“a large number of patients not responding to the treatment of antidepressants and SSRIs , find the new technique of controlled breathing – under Preksha Meditation  shwas preksha  much more helpful  -The Perceptive Breathing technique   had in reality worked  best for each person to treat their  severe and chronic depression. Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   comes out as the short term but long lasting promising, lower-cost therapy and a , non-drug approach for patients suffering from severe depression. .”

Preksha meditation  -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   can be learnt over a series of sitting sessions of Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique  in our clinic over a period of two to three months and the disease can be eliminated  completely.

The technique involves a series of   perceptive rhythmic breathing exercises designed to put the mind and body of the affected  in a tranquil, calm , peaceful , purposeful  and meditative state.

How can we help you:  our regular daily  sessions of preksha meditation , Kayotsarga ,counseling sessions/mental exercises   at Mansik Pramarsh is a specialist conducted  program for managing to overcome depression   . Hundreds have benefited, it is your  turn now.   come and join .Call 09179383554 or email : mansikpramarsh@gmail.com.

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Do you think your spouse is depressed and want to know how to help

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

maxresdefaultWhen Deepti (name changed) had called on us the other day , she had wanted an appointment for her husband , who she thought had been suffering from depression for quite long time . I had advised her that she should accompany her husband to the counseling session. After a few sessions with both of them together and separately with each partner ,it emerged that both of them suffered from depression.Yet they have been in a denial mode.I have seen in many cases that partners refuse to believe that what they are suspecting others suffer from could also be happening to them .They would always believe that just because the other person is complaining he or she could be depressed.Deepti had faced similar situation when she had come to me.Explained Deepti,”my husband Sameer {name changed}blames me for the problems in our marriage.He says that we have all the problems in our relationship because I am depressed.He tells everyone in my family and his family that if my wife was not undergoing depression,there would not be any issues in our marriage.But on the contrary I believe it’s always my husband who suffers from depression.He always complains about everything and blames me unnecessarily when things do not workout as per his plans”.

Family therapist during meeting with unhappy, married coupleIt is normal to have little bit difference of opinion in marital life but should each time difference arisen become the cause of a major fight then the husband wife team need to look at their status of their perceptual faculty. It is common to become little dejected after marital argument but to think of the other person being depressed definitely should be a cause of concern for the partners.It is very likely that both partners are perceiving some issues,concerns and a few problems in marriage negatively that has been giving depression to each other.Depression is made out to be a neurotic  disorder  hence people are always afraid of agreeing that they are undergoing such state of emotional upheaval.The usual response to such situation being.”I am o.k. it is the other person who seems to be suffering from depression”.

argu cplSomewhat similar is the story of Seema and Jatin (names changed) both budding doctors still in their process of setting up their household. The problem arose when a fine day Seema threatened to commit suicide on a very small whimsical issue. She had convinced herself that her husband does not pay her as much attention as he is giving to his other female colleagues in the hospital where he works . This came as a very major shock to Jatin. Jatin had nowhere ever thought about his coworkers in this manner. No amount of explanation could convince his wife and she continued to fight with him from time to time on the same subject forcing her husband to lead a solitary life away from the friends and acquaintances.What began as a depression with one of the spouses had pulled the other partner too into the same state of mind ,giving him depression. Jatin explains his situation in the following words,” My wife Seema has been idealising suicide from her college days. Our relationship dates back to seven years now. We had begun  dating in the first year of our college. In the college too she was always throwing tantrums on me.It is quite surprising that she acts in this manner only when I am around and with me only.She would often break up with me on small pretexts and remain incommunicado for days together. She  will come out of her shell on her own. She would then hardly remember that she has not been in touch with me for so many days. Everything becomes very normal for her soon , but it leaves me completely drained out emotionally.I can never discuss about such a behaviour of my wife to any one in the family or friends as she behaves normal in front of others.I do understand that she does it to gain my attention . For me she is my wife .I do give her the required love and affection. My whole life revolves around her . But I fail to understand why would she want me to be exclusively with her  only all the times. This kind of obsessive  behaviour from my wife has started telling on my professional responsibility. I can not be a doctor in such a big hospital where I am working by living in isolation and yet I do not know how to solve the problem.You being a psychologist could possibly understand the situation better and help us”.

A few sessions with the couple revealed that they both in spite of their long dating history had failed to emotionally connect with each other so far. Seema had wanted to make the emotional connection but had not understood how to proceed with it. She had always wanted to make Jatin part of her inner life. Each time she tried she sounded more pathetic and distressed and felt completely remorseful  when she did not get the desired attention and response from Jatin.

arguing coupleJatin understood her well but he too could not connect with Seema.He did not know how to make her feel loved and understood.She just wanted him to love her and care about her. But her such behaviour had put  off Jatin, leaving him cold and at times uninterested in her .Both the partners had been frustrated and didn’t know how to handle such a situation.

It has been observed by us that one partner in a marriage is depressed , the cause would always  be a marital situation  between the two spouses.  The solution to such a situation has to be found within the marriage situation only.There can be no solution by putting the onus to only one of the  members to the marriage, as the reason is not individual but a common factor is responsible for  whatever is happening to the spouses.

psychologist-helping-couple-relationship-difficulties-office-49310915In the event of either of you suffering from depression , both of you should help each other explore how your relationship dynamic could be  causing such a depression. Though you may want the other person to get individual treatment to his or her complaints by way of the intervention of a psychologist, it is in truth be your total marital situation that needs to be looked in a different perspective as different from your own point of view.  In such a situation you would do well to get your self assessed by our   professional family therapist and counselor. We will together then  work out a plan  that works to revive your marital relationship .Always remember that  you both are equal partners to the happiness and bliss of your marriage and hence let us find the way to the resolution of the differences in marriage too together with each partner respecting and trusting the other equally.

-Ramneek Kapoor – Family Therapist, Psychologist Counselor and Science of Living Expert.

family therapyFamily will survive all storms with a little patience and perseverance

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Getting Control of your OCD in 4 Comprehensive (medication-free) Steps

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on June 18, 2026| 2 Comments »

First, let’s hear from those who have bravely faced their obsessions and compulsions and, with the help of our four-step strategic therapy, have managed to reclaim control of their lives. Doesn’t it sound surprising that individuals who suffered from OCD for years, despite being on long-term medication, have finally found relief? It may seem unbelievable to many who have struggled with OCD for years. However, this is often due to a lack of proper guidance and corrective approaches.

Let’s listen to the inspiring stories of individuals who have successfully taken control of their OCD and are now leading normal lives:

Aarti’s Journey
Aarti, 22 (name changed), doesn’t even remember when she first developed the habit of compulsively washing every piece of clothing she wore outside. Each time she returned home, whether from college or the market, she would immediately head to the washroom, change her clothes, and wash them. Initially, her parents saw this as an attempt to maintain cleanliness. However, their concern grew when they noticed her repeating this behavior throughout the day, from morning until evening.

By the time Aarti came to us, she had been on strong psychiatric medications for over six years. Despite relying on anti-anxiety and SSRI pills, her OCD persisted. It wasn’t until she began our treatment program that she experienced significant relief.

Ahmad’s Story
Ahmad, a businessman in Dubai, had achieved considerable success in his career. However, he couldn’t fully enjoy his accomplishments due to intrusive, obsessive thoughts. “An unknown anxiety grips my mind over trivial matters,” Ahmad explains. This overwhelming anxiety would only subside after he performed certain repetitive acts, which frightened his family.

Prakash’s Experience
Prakash, an architect, had built a flourishing career and enjoyed a high social status. Yet, he struggled with obsessive thoughts that began in high school. Although medications temporarily alleviated his symptoms, the obsessive thoughts returned with greater intensity whenever he stopped the medications for more than a week.

Understanding OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioral health condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These compulsions are performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessions, perpetuating a vicious cycle.

The cycle of OCD typically includes:

  1. Obsession: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts or impulses.
  2. Mental distress: Anxiety or fear triggered by these thoughts.
  3. Compulsion: Repetitive actions performed to alleviate the distress.
  4. Temporary relief: A short-lived sense of relief before the cycle restarts.

Common Symptoms of OCD

Obsessions

Obsessions are repetitive, intrusive thoughts that are often illogical but feel uncontrollable. These may include:

  • Concerns about safety or cleanliness.
  • Worries about relationships or social interactions.
  • Irrational fears about natural or unnatural phenomena.

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals performed to relieve the distress caused by obsessions. Common compulsions include:

  • Excessive cleaning or handwashing.
  • Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or emails.
  • Counting or arranging objects.
  • Hoarding or obsessive texting.

Our Treatment Approach

We have developed an effective program to help clients overcome OCD and regain control of their lives:

  1. Trans-Cranial Cerebral Spinal Stimulation
    Using self-projected inner sound therapy (Mahapran Dhwani), this technique targets affected brain areas. Patients undergo daily or alternate-day sessions of 45 minutes for 8–12 weeks, resulting in significant OCD remission.
  2. Gut and Mind Correction Therapy
    By focusing on the gut-brain axis and ventral vagus nerve stimulation, we address the emotional and mental imbalances that trigger obsessive thoughts.
  3. Kayotsarga and Chakra Meditation
    Kayotsarga exercises and chakra-focused meditation (Swas Preksha) help patients achieve emotional balance and self-regulation.
  4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Affirmations
    Guided CBT sessions and positive affirmations empower patients to replace compulsive behaviors with healthier coping strategies.

Transforming Lives

Through a combination of advanced therapies, holistic practices, and expert guidance, our patients have achieved remarkable results. Many, including Aarti, Ahmad, and Prakash, are now living peaceful, medication-free lives, enjoying a sense of freedom they thought was unattainable.

Please let us know if we can help you with your OCD .

Write to us

mansikPramarsh@gmail.com

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com

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