Prescribing a way of life,this doctor is a guiding light for many

There is one thing,however,that still annoys him. “Why is it that a patient seeks medical help only when the problem becomes severe?” he asks.

“There is a stigma attached to mental problems. Patients and their families are afraid to visit a psychiatrist fearing what the neighbours or relatives would think if they get to know. Most patients with mental disorders — whether its depression or other serious illnesses — approach a doctor only after it starts getting out of hand,” the doctor said.

“ WHO raised this concern in 2005 with the slogan,‘Stop exclusion,dare to care’. When a person suffers from a disease,the first thing a doctor wants to know is that for how long the symptoms have existed. When it comes to mental problems,on most occasions,a patient’s reply is,‘It’s been over a year,I guess. Maybe two. Or to be precise,it’s been about three years’. And we know that the damage has been done,” Mahajan explains,adding that there is a lack of awareness among people about getting the right treatment at the right time.

“Many people turn to spiritual healers but ignore the medical aspect of the illness. By the time they land in a doctor’s room,they have wasted several years,in some cases even 10 years,” he says.

An early riser,Dr Mahajan starts his day with a workout for about 50 minutes. At the hospital,his day starts with academic work and interactions with students. Then he proceeds for his clinic by 10.30 am and sees patients in the OPD in addition to attending the indoor patients.

He also attends to outstation patients at his private clinic in the evening and after a two-hour break,he has patients from the city waiting to consult him.

“We have a high magnitude of people with mental problems in our country but very few come forward for medical care. And comparatively,there are very few psychiatrists as well. Besides,only 20 per cent of people with disorders have access to a psychiatrist as many patients fail to find expert help in small towns,” Dr Mahajan says.