Latest news with #NationalInstituteofMentalHealthandNeurosciences
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Children with mothers suffering from domestic violence prone to mental health issues, study says
New Delhi: Children of mothers suffering from domestic violence in India are significantly associated with mental health disorders including anxiety and depression in teenagers , a study has found. The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, underscore the need for school programs sensitive to trauma and improved prevention of domestic violence in India. Researchers from the cVEDA Consortium , National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, and international institutes looked at nearly 2,800 teen-mother pairs. The data was collected from seven centres across urban and rural India, examining mental health disorders among teenagers aged 12-17 years and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse affecting their mothers. Mothers experiencing abuse were "significantly associated with adolescent common mental disorders including anxiety and depression," the authors wrote. "Depressive disorders specifically were associated with physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, while anxiety disorders were associated only with physical and sexual abuse". One in three women in India are estimated to suffer domestic violence, making them more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidality. This link has been well demonstrated in Western studies, the researchers said. They added that studies in India show that exposure to domestic violence is related to adverse outcomes at birth -- miscarriage, still and pre-mature birth -- and emotional, behavioural, and academic difficulties in children. However, knowledge gaps remain on how mothers experiencing domestic violence can impact the mental health of children, for which cultural aspects of domestic violence -- joint families and emotional means -- need to be looked at. The joint family system -- a woman living with her husband's family -- can serve as a support, but also enable domestic violence directly or indirectly by exerting influence on the man, the authors explained. Emotional violence by forcing women to return to their parental homes, physical means of resorting to stones and chemicals to inflict hurt and controlling birth outcomes by withholding contraception until a boy is born, are some other types of domestic violence. Psychological violence was found to include verbal threats and harassment, and deprivation of resources, possibly more noticed by children, the authors said. The findings are in line with previous studies that have shown noticeable changes in the behaviour and academic performance of teens witnessing violence in their homes, indicating they are absorbing its effects, they said. Adolescence is a critical period during which milestones related to one's thought processes, social conduct and personality are achieved. Teenage years could also thus be a period when one is vulnerable to the effects of witnessing their mother suffering domestic violence -- this exposure has been studied to set the affected up for a higher chance of chronic diseases and psychological disorders, the team said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Children with mothers suffering from domestic violence prone to mental health issues, study says
Children of mothers suffering from domestic violence in India are significantly associated with mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression in teenagers, a study has found. The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, underscore the need for school programs sensitive to trauma and improved prevention of domestic violence in India. Researchers from the cVEDA Consortium, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, and international institutes looked at nearly 2,800 teen-mother pairs. The data was collected from seven centres across urban and rural India, examining mental health disorders among teenagers aged 12-17 years and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse affecting their mothers. Mothers experiencing abuse were "significantly associated with adolescent common mental disorders including anxiety and depression," the authors wrote. "Depressive disorders specifically were associated with physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, while anxiety disorders were associated only with physical and sexual abuse". One in three women in India are estimated to suffer domestic violence, making them more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidality. This link has been well demonstrated in Western studies, the researchers said. They added that studies in India show that exposure to domestic violence is related to adverse outcomes at birth -- miscarriage, still and pre-mature birth — and emotional, behavioural, and academic difficulties in children. However, knowledge gaps remain on how mothers experiencing domestic violence can impact the mental health of children, for which cultural aspects of domestic violence — joint families and emotional means — need to be looked at. 'The joint family system — a woman living with her husband's family — can serve as a support, but also enable domestic violence directly or indirectly by exerting influence on the man,' the authors explained. Emotional violence by forcing women to return to their parental homes, physical means of resorting to stones and chemicals to inflict hurt, and controlling birth outcomes by withholding contraception until a boy is born, are some other types of domestic violence. 'Psychological violence was found to include verbal threats and harassment, and deprivation of resources, possibly more noticed by children,' the authors said. 'The findings are in line with previous studies that have shown noticeable changes in the behaviour and academic performance of teens witnessing violence in their homes, indicating they are absorbing its effects,' they said. Adolescence is a critical period during which milestones related to one's thought processes, social conduct and personality are achieved. 'Teenage years could also thus be a period when one is vulnerable to the effects of witnessing their mother suffering domestic violence — this exposure has been studied to set the affected up for a higher chance of chronic diseases and psychological disorders,' the team said. Help line 181 is intended to provide 24 hours assistance and emergency response to women affected by violence.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Nauseous during travel? Simple measures can help reduce motion sickness: Experts
Pune: City-based software engineer Rajesh (34) dreads long road trips. Every time he embarks on a journey, whether in a car, bus, or even a flight, he experiences nausea, dizziness, and cold sweats within minutes. Despite trying different remedies like looking at the horizon or chewing gum, the symptoms persist, often ruining family vacations. Rajesh's case is not unique. Motion sickness is a widespread issue, affecting millions of Indians, particularly during road travel, which remains the country's most common mode of transportation. As India's travel infrastructure expands, addressing motion sickness becomes increasingly relevant, particularly with rising domestic tourism and long-distance commutes. While no universal cure exists, medical experts have underlined that a combination of awareness, preventive strategies, and medical interventions can significantly help the affected. "Motion sickness occurs due to a sensory mismatch between the inner ear (vestibular system) and visual input," said senior neurologist Dr Sudhir Kothari. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, contains semi-circular canals and otolith organs that detect motion and balance. "When the body is in motion, but the eyes perceive a stable environment, such as reading a book in a moving car, conflicting signals confuse the brain, triggering nausea and dizziness," Dr Kothari said. According to a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, up to 30% of individuals experience motion sickness during travel, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe vomiting. Another study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru suggests that 40% of Indians experience motion sickness in some form, with higher prevalence among children, pregnant women, and migraine sufferers. Medical experts recommend a combination of behavioural adjustments, natural remedies, and medical interventions. "Sitting in the front seat of a car, choosing a window seat in flights, and focusing on a stable object (horizon) reduces the sensory conflict," advises Dr Kothari who is head of the neurology department at Poona Hospital. Neurologist Dr Rajas Deshpande, chief of the neurology department, Jupiter Hospital, emphasised eliminating sour and cold food. "Lifestyle changes like eliminating sour and cold food, especially on the day prior to travel, adequate sleep, stress management, and avoidance of alcohol help reduce the impact of motion sickness," said Dr Deshpande. It is wise to carry emergency medicines as some attacks may cause panic, he said. Over-the-counter drugs like dimenhydrinate (dramamine) and prescription patches like scopolamine help mitigate symptoms but should be taken under medical advice. Emerging research explores brain-training techniques using virtual reality (VR) and neuroplasticity-based exercises. A 2022 study in the Journal of Vestibular Research demonstrated that gradual exposure to motion through VR simulations reduced motion sickness symptoms over time. "Some Indian researchers at AIIMS Delhi are experimenting with eye movement training and vestibular rehabilitation exercises to enhance adaptation," Dr Deshpande said.
