By Dr. Manisha Chauhan, Resident Psychiatrist
When I chose psychiatry, many people asked me, “Why this branch?” They expected an answer about fascination with the brain or an interest in mental illness. But for me, psychiatry has always been about something deeper — the desire to understand the human mind and help people rediscover themselves when they feel lost within.
Psychiatry is one of the few medical fields that looks beyond physical symptoms and listens to stories.As a person who believed that a field career will bring happiness psychiatry changed my belief of happiness .A lot of medical students still feel that career being top of their field will bring them happiness until it no longer . A resident woman doctor battling depression may appear fine on the outside but is silently carrying years of exhaustion.
A student with anxiety may seem high-achieving yet is drowning in self-doubt. A person with schizophrenia is living in a world no body has excess to.the people talking in your mind that don’t even exist To be trusted with these space of mind is both a responsibility and an honour.
Unlike many assume, psychiatry is not just about medication. It’s about understanding how the mind, brain, and environment intertwine to shape our lives. With medicines we also use words, empathy, time, and trust. Healing often begins not with a prescription, but with a safe confidential space where someone finally feels heard without judgment.
Over the years, I’ve seen how transformative that understanding can be. A young man was apprehensive talking about his suicidal thoughts because he didn’t want to “burden” his family. Realization that his pain was real and treatable, was where the healing journey began .Those moments — when someone rediscovers hope,will to live,desire to fight the circcumstances — are what make psychiatry so meaningful.
But the journey is not without challenges. The stigma surrounding mental illness remains one of the biggest barriers to deal with. People still whisper about depression or psychosis as if they are moral flaws rather than medical conditions. as a psychiatrist all I want is to change that narrative — to remind society that seeking help for the mind is just as important as treating the psychical aspects
Psychiatry has taught me the power of resilience. I’ve witnessed people rise from the depths of despair, rebuild relationships, and find purpose again. It’s a branch that demands patience, compassion, here, progress is not always measured by lab results, but by a smile, a conversation, or a renewed sense of hope.
For me, psychiatry is not just a profession; it was a calling. It’s about walking with people through their darkest moments and helping them find light again. In a world that often overlooks invisible suffering, psychiatry reminds us of a simple truth — that every mind matters, every emotion is real, and every person deserves to be understood.
INDIA AND ITS PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY
The history of psychiatry in India is a fascinating journey — one that reflects the evolution of how society has understood and cared for mental health through the ages. From ancient healing traditions to modern hospitals and legislation, India’s psychiatric landscape has developed through a blend of cultural wisdom, colonial influence, and scientific progress.
Ancient and Medieval Periods
India’s understanding of the human mind dates back thousands of years. Ancient Indian texts such as the Atharva Veda, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita describe mental disturbances and their management. The Charaka Samhita (around 400 B.C.) classified mental illnesses into categories like uunmada (psychosis), apasmara (epilepsy), and attattvabhinivesha (obsessive ideas). Treatments involved a combination of herbal medicines, yoga, meditation, diet regulation, and spiritual counseling, showing a remarkably holistic approach.
Religious and philosophical traditions like Buddhism and Ayurveda emphasized the connection between mind, body, and soul. Meditation and mindfulness were not only spiritual practices but also therapeutic tools — concepts that modern psychiatry has begun to appreciate once again.
Colonial Era (18th–19th Century)
The formal development of psychiatry in India began under British colonial rule. The first mental asylum was established in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1745, followed by others in Calcutta (1784) and Madras (1794). However, these early institutions functioned more as custodial facilities than therapeutic centers. Patients were often kept in confinement under poor conditions, reflecting the stigma and limited understanding of mental illness at that time.
By the mid-19th century, reforms slowly emerged. The Indian Lunatic Asylums Act of 1858 provided some regulation for asylums. Later, under the influence of British psychiatrists, hospitals began incorporating medical treatment rather than mere confinement. In the early 20th century, Ranchi European Mental Hospital (1918) and Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital (1925) became pioneering institutions. The Ranchi hospitals were instrumental in shaping clinical psychiatry and psychiatric training in India.
Post-Independence Period (1947–1980s)
After independence, psychiatry in India began to modernize. The All India Institute of Mental Health was established in Bangalore in 1954, which later became the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) — now one of Asia’s leading mental health institutions.
During the 1960s and 70s, psychiatry moved beyond asylums into general hospitals with the creation of General Hospital Psychiatric Units (GHPUs). This integrated mental health care with mainstream medicine and helped reduce stigma.
Contemporary Era
In recent decades, psychiatry in India has expanded rapidly. The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) has promoted education, research, and public awareness. The National Mental Health Programme (1982) and District Mental Health Programme (1996) aimed to bring services to rural areas.
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 marked a milestone, emphasizing patient rights, dignity, and autonomy while aligning with international standards. Today, Indian psychiatry embraces a biopsychosocial model, blending modern science with the rich cultural understanding of the human mind.
Conclusion
From the spiritual healing of ancient India to the evidence-based psychiatry of today, the journey has been remarkable. Psychiatry in India continues to evolve — balancing compassion with science, and tradition with innovation. It stands as a reflection of India’s broader journey: from understanding madness as a mystery to recognizing mental health as a human right
Future prospective
.India is home to over a billion people, and studies suggest that nearly one in seven Indians suffers from some form of mental disorder — ranging from depression and anxiety to severe illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Prevalence rate of depression still rates from 7-10%(lifetime)
Schizophrenia still remains the dreaded illness
according to the National Mental Health Survey, less than 15% of those affected receive adequate treatment.
The gap between need and care is enormous
a collective effort — government support, public awareness, and compassionate professionals who can normalize conversations about mental health can bring changes
Schools and workplaces must prioritize emotional well-being just as much as physical health. Media can play a key role in breaking stereotypes and spreading awareness that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
