The session was attended by 20 cancer patients and survivors from HCG. The session began with Dr. Raghavendra Rao (HoD CAM Program, HCG Oncology), talking on benefits of meditation and getting patients practise some yogic techniques. This was followed by 10 minutes of guided meditation, where patients followed the meditation instructions from Dozee app. Post the session, patients were provided with personalized report, quantifying the impact of the session on their heartbeat, respiration and stress levels.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Neeraj, a cancer patient said “This was a really unique experience for us. I felt my stress levels came down significantly, and I could see the result of it on Dozee app as well. The whole meditation experience became very real for me”.

Dr. Raghavendra Rao said, “HCG has always believed in providing holistic care to all its patients and ensuring abetter quality of life. We have combined the ancient stress relieving techniques of Yoga with advanced medical care to help manage cancer better. This International Yoga Day, we decided to include Yoga as a part of its patients’ treatment plans. Starting with our flagship unit in Bengaluru, this program will be incorporated shortly in all of our 22 centres across India.”

Mudit Dandwate, CEO of Dozee said, “We are really excited to see the heart-warming response from cancer patients at HCG and can’t wait to enable this benefit for everyone across the country. Our aim of starting Dozee was to make healthcare simple and accessible to everyone. The latest feature is a step towards bringing the power of meditation to comforts of everyone’s home by providing easy to follow instructions and Artificial Intelligence powered personalized recommendations. What it means for users is that they will feel they have a teacher guiding them with meditation at their homes, personalising their session basis their performance.”

Data Speaks Loudly

Mental illness contributes to 7% of the global average disease burden. The number of suicides in India is double than the global average of 11 persons per 100,000 population annually. Mental maladies affect about 15% of Indian (and world) population as per latest estimates. One in six people are victims of mental illness. Depression and anxiety disorders alone affect around 8% of us.

Among the young, suicide is the third biggest killer, with depression the leading cause of early-age disability globally. In fact, mental disorders are thought to affect younger people than statistics suggest.

It’s Complicated

People experiencing mental disorders resort to one of several coping strategies: discussing the problem with friends or family, social isolation to escape being noticed, or camouflage true emotions into acceptable actions for fear of being judged or abandoned. Unfortunately, the latter two are more popular, driving forces being social stigma and taboo. There is little or no support to sufferers and their families. Surveys reveal that society even feels fearful of the sufferers!

Undoubtedly, behaviors that indicate mental disturbances can sometimes be hard to pinpoint, passed as the simple quirkiness of character than a disorder of the mind. But is the matter really that straightforward?

Lurking Around Dark Corners

As a society, we are usually shocked at the news of successful, high-performing, wealthy young individuals killing themselves. Celebrities like yesteryears’ actor Guru Dutt and Miss India 1997 turned VJ Nafisa Joseph took their own lives over strained personal relationships. On the other hand, when farmers drowning in debt kill themselves, the reasons are evident and understandable. Similarly, while some mental illnesses are conspicuous, others are not.

People closest to us know us the best; be it our habits, mood swings or fetishes. Yet, in this fast-paced life in the 21st century, signs of distress escape the friendly radars of our loved ones and our own selves. Besides the lack of free time, our reluctance to understand these complex phenomena, ignorance and social stigma worsen the situation for sufferers. Depressive bouts are confused with laziness, anxiety simply called lack of focus and attention deficit equated to incompetence. Such labels make a negative impact, especially on the young impressionable minds. In fact, half of all mental illnesses begin even before the age of fourteen!

Is It All In Our Heads?

Brains are complex machines. Scientists have been studying it for years to find neuropsychological causes and genetic bases of mental illnesses, which are many- depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, cognitive disability and so on. To understand where the problems lie, researchers dive deep into the workings of the brain. The clockwork includes a huge repertoire of chemical and electrical signals that pass between connected brain cells called neurons. Imbalances in signals between or within different parts of the brain result in myriad mental anomalies.

Anxiety is a result of an over-active amygdala- the fear center of the brain, resulting from an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signals for this area, making sufferers more nervous and fearful than normal people. Severe anxiety disorders such as panic and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involve the same parts of the brain, only different disturbances in the ongoing signaling.

Depression, on the other hand, appears to be more complex. Firstly, the levels of chemical signals (neurotransmitters) called serotonin and dopamine are abnormal. Serotonin signals well-being and happiness to our brains while dopamine induces motivation. Secondly, the brain tissue is sometimes shrunken. Third, the ability to form new neurons and connections or repair and modify old ones is impaired. Lastly, immunity modulators called cytokines, which induce sickness behavior like staying indoors, sleeping a lot and generally, low energy levels are found in excessively high amounts in depressed individuals. Cytokine signaling is in fact elevated under chronic stress. Though depression manifests as slow behavioral changes that evade our observation, often simply under the cloak of sadness, it is a serious medical issue.

These findings imply that maladies of the mind are just like those of the body, say cancer or diabetes- complex diseases that manifest upon an interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers- preventable, manageable, treatable. Basically, balanced neurological circuitry is essential for mental health.

Interestingly, we have also witnessed that most people tide over adversities, but some are unable to- not every victim of bullies becomes mentally ill. What determines mental resilience? Environment? Education? Or simply will power? Studies suggest that a feeling of security, purpose in life and positive experiences are the foundations to mental resilience. The sooner one starts building it, the better, but there is never a wrong time to build resilience. These building blocks are present both within and around us.

Happiness is Health

Preventing chronic negative thoughts is the key to a healthy mind. Children especially need to be allowed more leisure time. Physical activities like exercise, sports and dancing are known to release feel-good hormone endorphin which benefits the brain. Pursuing hobbies, activities that make you happy or fulfilled and content can keep you motivated in low phases of life, teaching you to celebrate little victories. A hearty laugh works the same way.

Invest time in friends and family. Talking to and confiding in someone trustworthy helps you create a support system that you can summon in times of distress or crises. Give the children around you their due time and attention. Cuddling with a pet and playing with kids generates oxytocin- the bonding hormone. Above all, sleep well, for it helps your body and mind heal itself. Rejuvenate them both time to time using tools like meditation to keep serotonin and dopamine balanced.

If circumstances still catch you unaware, know that help is out there, if not in your home, at the touch of a button. Mental health foundations and support groups are at your disposal if only you call them for help. Phone helplines and online counseling portals like “Type a Thought” and “mystruggles.in” – that keep your identity anonymous, exist to resolve your distress. Sometimes simply talking to friends or family is enough to help you tide through. If none of the above helps, tap into professional psychiatrists. Taking medication to relieve yourself of sickness is not a shame. Do you think twice before taking a pill for cold? You might not even need medication. Interventions like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can help you learn new thinking patterns, overcoming anxiety and fear.

If only we as a community realize that mental illnesses are not chosen by those who are ill, like any other ailment, and fulfill our roles as parents, teachers, and caregivers, healthy and happy youth is not a distant dream. If only we would give children enough time, attention and affection, they would not grow up as broken individuals. If only we learn to ask “How are you?” and really mean it; if only someone were to ask us “Are you alright?” at our most terrible times; if only we accepted the differences among people; if only no one shamed the fat teenager; if only we didn’t burden our children with our ambitions and expectations (and maybe instead followed them ourselves), we could save lakhs of lives. And that would be a life worth living. Wouldn’t it?

We must remember, childhood and adolescence are tender, confusing and ruthless, all at the same time. Young minds need a sense of belonging, affection, and appreciation to grow up normally with nurture, cautious prodding and guidance at every step. This journey translates into meaning and purpose around which their entire adult life would revolve. Many mental illness victims report feeling unloved, unnoticed, or worse – blamed, bullied, beaten and shamed as a youth. So, if we want to save more people from mental disorders, the younger we catch them, the better.

About the Author

Nishtha Bhargava is a Senior Research Fellow at CSIR-IGIB. When not in the lab, she likes to listen and dance to her favorite music, read books and dream about the future. She believes animals, children, and drunk people never lie and that science has the power to change the world.

Dance is an art wherein you can express yourself and have a therapeutic experience. Dance movement therapy is an old concept but needs a grip in India. The author shares her experience on how dance therapeutically heals her mentally and physically.

What is DANCE?
It is not just a form of art wherein you move rhythmically to music for entertainment. But, it is also a type of therapy. Here is how?

The purpose of dance is to express one’s emotion freely and take pleasure in performing it. If one is angry, cheerful, melancholy, afraid or feel strongly about something, one may choose to show it through eyes, facial expression, and body movements in dance.

There is nothing new about dance. It is well known that dance benefits our body and mind. People have been dancing for centuries or you can say since childhood for entertainment. However, dance as a type of therapy was recognized back in modern dance movement of 19th century. During this movement, it was realized that dance could go beyond simple entertainment, and can be used as a form of expressions. By mid of 20th century, dance therapy developed in US and Europe which added observation, interpretation and manipulation of dance elements into the practice. In 1966, a professional organization, the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was established. Dance movement therapy (DMT) in USA, Australia, and dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) in the UK is the psychotherapeutic use of movements and dance to support intellectual, emotional and motor functions of the body,as a form of expressive therapy.

DMT uses movement and expression with the skills of psychotherapy, counseling, and rehabilitation to help individuals to achieve both physical and mental health, stress reduction, disease prevention and mood management.

Following are the benefits of Dance Movement Therapy –
1. Improves cardiovascular endurance
2. Improves balance and coordination
3. Improves muscular strength and flexibility
4. Improves body posture and mobility
5. Reduces muscle tension
6. Reduces stress and anxiety
7. Mood elevator
8. Improves expression of feelings
9. Builds confidence and get over shyness

Following are some recent research which showcases that dance therapy can be effective in the treatment of mental health issues like eating disorder, depression, and anxiety.

A study from the Journal of Arts in Psychotherapy (2007) found that dance therapy had a positive effect on participants experiencing symptoms of depression.

A study from Alzheimer’s care (2009) suggests that DMP improves memory recall in people with dementia.

American Journal of Dance Therapy indicated that DMT may be a treatment option for children on the Autism spectrum.

Also, it can be considered as a treatment option for childhood obesity.

At my golden age with silver hair and a young heart, I must say, dancing helps me feel a lot better. I did all sorts of exercise, yoga, meditation, walking, jogging, etc. but I didn’t enjoy any of it and discontinued it sooner or later. Then, I realized that my body moves with emotions and expressions whenever I hear beats of music. I become thoughtless, feel happy and energetic. My mind connects with my body and soul, it’s like meditation to me. It therapeutically heals my aching joints and stiffness of body due to lifestyle diseases, much better than any physiotherapy ever could. This article is not some kind of scientific research, as lot of research on this topic has already been done all over the world. It’s only my insight and personal experience after joining a dance class. A group or couple dance class helps motivate you to do better each day and builds your confidence.

Some people might think, “A dance class? At this age? ”. Yes, I know it is uncommon but why not. One of the reasons that people of my age do not turn up at dance classes is because they are shy. Many North Indian families in earlier days did not appreciate dancing and did not allow girls to dance as it was looked down upon. I was never allowed to dance but allowed to do higher education in those days.

I will not tell you how to move your body or on which song you should dance or how you should dance…… No. I am only going to tell you to move your body and express your feelings as we all know that dancing makes us feel light, joyful, releases happy hormones such as Seratonin, Endrofin, Dopamin etc. Dance moves can predict our feelings like if we are anxious, or self-conscious while dancing, it will show through our moves. You can do any type of dance i.e. Ballroom, Ballet, Tango, Zumba or just wiggle slightly, do what you love or what you feel comfortable with.

Dance like no one is watching and just let go of yourself is the secret of good health. You do not have to be a dancer to get benefit from dance movement therapy. Do not let shyness, age or stamina come on the way. Let your heart dance with joy and happiness, your eyes will dance with emotions and your body movements will improve motor skills. The concept of DMT is new to India and needs more attention. India being the motherland of traditional and modern dance forms can be the new platform for DMT. A new concept like beer yoga is becoming a fad in our society wherein I feel DMT is much more scientific and effective in gaining holistic health. So be happy, enjoy and destress yourself, have a good diet and get better sleep. That is a secret of a happy and healthy golden age.

If you wish, sometime instead of sport shoes, put on your dancing shoes…Hey…..Come on…..Dance.

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Read all the issues of InnoHEALTH magazine:
InnoHEALTH Volume 1 Issue 1 (July to September 2016) – https://goo.gl/iWAwN2 
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InnoHEALTH Volume 3 Issue 1 (January to March 2018) – https://goo.gl/fksdQx

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