Latest news with #SamirParikh
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Niti brainstorms to prepare national brain health blueprint
New Delhi: Niti Aayog will soon come up with a blueprint on improving quality of brain health and recognising early signs of cognitive disorders and dementia. The move is aimed at preventing the rising cases of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy and stroke, among others in the country.A senior government official, aware of the deliberations, told ET the work has been going on at the Aayog and concerned ministries for a year and is now in final stages."A meeting will be held on Tuesday to firm up the road map and we hope to submit the report to the government by end of June," the official said. Several rounds of deliberations have been held between the top officials of the Aayog, the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IBHAS), the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and psychologists from the private sector. The idea is to develop a service model, on the lines of a brain health clinic, to help professionals identify people who have early cognitive decline and work with them to improve the quality of brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in the future. Besides, the experts will devise strategies to prevent and treat brain diseases by reviewing the gaps in providing treatment and suggest interventions. This is expected to work at all levels-primary, secondary and tertiary per Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India, currently around 7.4% of Indians aged 60 and above are affected by dementia and this is expected to go up by 93% to 17 million by 2036 from the current 8.8 feel any initiative towards mental or brain health is much needed as it has long been ignored and will make a big difference in controlling the rising instances of neurological disorders. "Mental health needs a lot of focus, both on the preventive side as well as interventions. Anything we do either in terms of access, affordability, lifestyle changes or though interventions like digital and physical centres for early diagnosis would be of great significance in improving mental health across all age groups in the country," said Dr Samir Parikh, psychiatrist and director of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis Healthcare. As per the WHO, the burden of mental health problems in India is 2,443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 population and the economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012 and 2030, is estimated at $1.03 to the ministry of health and family welfare, 15% of India's adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention with urban areas having a higher prevalence of 13.5% compared with 6.9% in rural areas.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Niti brainstorms to prepare national brain health blueprint
New Delhi: Niti Aayog will soon come up with a blueprint on improving quality of brain health and recognising early signs of cognitive disorders and dementia . The move is aimed at preventing the rising cases of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy and stroke, among others in the country. A senior government official, aware of the deliberations, told ET the work has been going on at the Aayog and concerned ministries for a year and is now in final stages. "A meeting will be held on Tuesday to firm up the road map and we hope to submit the report to the government by end of June," the official said. Several rounds of deliberations have been held between the top officials of the Aayog, the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IBHAS), the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and psychologists from the private sector. The idea is to develop a service model, on the lines of a brain health clinic, to help professionals identify people who have early cognitive decline and work with them to improve the quality of brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in the future. Besides, the experts will devise strategies to prevent and treat brain diseases by reviewing the gaps in providing treatment and suggest interventions. This is expected to work at all levels-primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. As per Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India, currently around 7.4% of Indians aged 60 and above are affected by dementia and this is expected to go up by 93% to 17 million by 2036 from the current 8.8 million. Experts feel any initiative towards mental or brain health is much needed as it has long been ignored and will make a big difference in controlling the rising instances of neurological disorders. "Mental health needs a lot of focus, both on the preventive side as well as interventions. Anything we do either in terms of access, affordability, lifestyle changes or though interventions like digital and physical centres for early diagnosis would be of great significance in improving mental health across all age groups in the country," said Dr Samir Parikh, psychiatrist and director of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis Healthcare . As per the WHO, the burden of mental health problems in India is 2,443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 population and the economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012 and 2030, is estimated at $1.03 trillion. According to the ministry of health and family welfare, 15% of India's adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention with urban areas having a higher prevalence of 13.5% compared with 6.9% in rural areas.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Brain rot and screen overload: How your phone may be wrecking your focus
Endless scrolling may feel harmless, but experts warn it can erode attention span, memory, and mental clarity-here's how to recognise and reverse the damage You are mid-scroll on Instagram. Reels flash past, dogs talking, influencers dancing, someone baking a cake that looks like a car. Fifteen seconds later, you forget what you just watched. The screen still glows. Your brain, however, feels foggy, restless, and oddly exhausted. There is a name for your dwindling attention span and doomscrolling fatigue, resulting from phone addiction and mindless consumption of endless content. It is called ' brain rot ' (or brainrot). Once a niche internet slang, brain rot has now exploded into mainstream discourse as it raises the concern: are we actually damaging our brains? In a telephonic conversation with Business Standard, Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said, 'Brain rot is not a recognised formal clinical diagnosis. It's a term gaining traction to describe the mental fatigue and cognitive decline linked to excessive digital consumption. It is a metaphor. It is a lack of using one's own logic and common sense while consuming content online.' Origins: How brain rot went from meme to mental health concern The term 'brain rot' has been in use since at least 2007 to describe the mental state of individuals considered 'too online', according to media reports. Twitter users once used it to describe dating game shows, video games, and 'hanging out online'. By the time social media platforms like TikTok (banned in India since June 2020), Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts took over—especially during and after the global Covid-19 pandemic—'brain rot' became shorthand for the feeling of cognitive numbness that follows hours of compulsive scrolling of short-form, dopamine-loaded content. Symptoms of brain rot: Signs your focus is under attack While brain rot is not a clinical diagnosis, Dr Parikh warns that the effects associated with it are very real. 'It is common knowledge that if you are consuming anything that is not going to serve you, it will affect your health.' Neurologists, psychologists, and researchers have linked excessive screen time, especially content that prioritises speed, novelty, and emotional extremes, to reduced attention span, poor focus, and decline in memory retention. 'While your brain is not literally rotting, its ability to function at peak cognitive performance might be under siege,' he said. Why brain rot happens: Dopamine loops and shallow content Brain rot thrives in the feedback loop of the internet's attention economy. A study titled Demystifying the new dilemma of brain rot in the digital era: A review, published in MDPI in March, has underscored the concern that the attention economy's mechanisms can lead to cognitive challenges associated with excessive digital consumption. Dopamine overload Every like, view, and scroll gives a tiny dopamine hit. The brain starts craving more, making it harder to stop. Low cognitive effort Repetitive content trains the brain to expect stimulation without effort. This can reduce tolerance for deep or slow processing tasks. Fragmented attention Constant switching between apps and tabs weakens concentration and makes it harder to sustain focus. Emotional numbness Overexposure to extreme content (both hilarious and horrifying) can dull emotional responsiveness and empathy. In short, brain rot is not just watching mindless content—it's the habitual rewiring of your brain to demand it. How to know if you're affected Some common signs that your brain might be in a digital slump include: Struggling to read long articles or books Constantly needing background noise or videos Feeling tired but mentally restless Zoning out during conversations Forgetting what you just watched, even minutes ago Can brain rot be reversed? Experts say yes According to Dr Parikh, the treatment lies offline. 'Since brain rot is not a clinical diagnosis, there is no prescribed treatment, but behavioural and cognitive solutions like limiting screen time, trying attention exercises, and mindful consumption of content can reverse its effects. While technology has its benefits, it's essential to be mindful of our digital consumption,' he said. Smart strategies to reset your brain from digital fatigue: Digital detox Start with time blocks—for example, 30 minutes offline—which you can eventually stretch to entire weekends. Re-train attention Try 'attention exercise' routines like reading uninterrupted for 20 minutes, meditating, or journalling without music or screens. Mindful consumption Follow creators who offer depth. Watch long-form videos or read newsletters instead of just skimming headlines. Nature therapy Time in green spaces has been shown to restore cognitive function and reduce mental fatigue. Sleep well Avoid screens 1–2 hours before bed. The brain needs deep rest to repair and integrate information. Conclusion: Why your brain needs offline time to thrive According to Dr Parikh, your brain was not built for endless scrolling. It thrives on stillness, deep focus, and real-world connection. Stepping away from screens, even briefly, helps rebuild attention, boost memory, and restore emotional clarity. In a noisy world, true strength lies in knowing when to switch off and let your mind breathe.
