Mental Health Disorders (Credit: Canva)
How often do you hear people calling each other "psychopath"? Or how often do you witness people labelling themselves as "bipolar" or "depressed"? Quite frequently. Right? These are names of some serious, often life-threatening mental disorders which have been included in common vocabulary. Ayushi Jolly, a PhD scholar opined that "mental health disorders are not adjective to be thrown around."
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Today, many people who are organized and prioritize santitation and hygeine, label themselves as suffering from OCD. However, in psychology, OCD is a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviours (compulsions), or both. This condition can significantly impair daily functioning, leading to severe anxiety and distress. Without proper treatment, it can escalate, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Depression
"I am so depressed, I act like it's my birthday everyday," these are lyrics from a chart-topping Taylor Swift song. However, the singer-songwriter has never been diagnosed for the same. Similarly, people throw away the term even at the slightest discomfort. But, this mental health disorder is life-thretening, serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Note, to be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Any person who is high on energy and gets distracted easily could be heard saying "I'm suffering from ADD." In reality, ADD is a type of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that's characterized by problems with concentration and focus. ADHD is a developmental disorder that can affect a person's daily life, including their ability to perform at school or work and their social relationships.
Bipolar Personality Disorder
Broke up with your partner? Chances are you'll end up calling them bipolar. The terms has also been used in various films and songs, sans the knowledge of it's seriousness. Formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, this condition is a lifelong mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior. A person suffering from this disorder witnesses intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior, for long periods of time.
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)
Being "paranoid" has become more like a negative adjective among teens and young adults. However, a person who suffers from this condition is incapable of maintaining succesful relationahips. Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a group of personality disorders categorised under "Cluster A". A person with PPD thinks in odd or eccentric ways, and suffers from unrelenting mistrust or suspicion of others, even when there is no reason to be suspicious. This disorder usually begins in early adulthood and appears more common in men than women. People with PPD are always on guard, believing that others are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them. People with this disorder also doubt the commitment, loyalty, or trustworthiness of others. PPD patients also might have difficulty relaxing.
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Metabolism-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) — also termed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) — is defined by excess hepatic fat accumulation (>5 per cent of liver weight) in the presence of metabolic dysfunction, independent of alcohol intake. It encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
A Lancet Regional Health study found that approximately 39 per cent of Indian adults screened had fatty liver disease, making it one of the most prevalent chronic liver conditions in the country. Within India, prevalence shows regional variation driven by genetic, dietary, and socioeconomic factors.
A particularly important feature is the “lean MAFLD” phenotype — South Asians often develop fatty liver at a lower BMI due to disproportionately high visceral fat, which complicates detection based on conventional BMI screening. Currently, MASLD is the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The core drivers are components of metabolic syndrome: type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity (particularly central adiposity), dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. MASLD is strongly linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and metabolic syndrome.
Genetic susceptibility also plays a role — variants in genes such as PNPLA3 are associated with increased liver fat accumulation, particularly in certain Indian populations. Rapid dietary transition towards ultra-processed, high-calorie foods compounds the risk.
Routine liver function tests may appear normal in early stages, and an ultrasound detects only moderate-to-severe fat accumulation. A structured approach includes:
No approved pharmacotherapy exists exclusively for MAFLD; management is lifestyle-centred:
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Once known to affect only people over 60, Parkinson’s Disease is now increasingly being seen in young adults, especially at the age of 40, said health experts on World Parkinson’s Day today.
World Parkinson’s Day is observed every year on April 11 to raise awareness about the brain condition that causes tremors, slowness of movement, and trouble walking.
Parkinson’s is a progressive and neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
Progressive decline in mobility is a key issue among Parkinson's patients, impacting their independence and quality of life. Other problems include slow movement, tremor, imbalance, cognitive impairment, mental health disorders, sleep disorders, and pain.
Also read: World Parkinson's Day 2026: Origin, Theme And Global Burden
According to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s between the ages of 21 and 50 is referred to as early-onset Parkinson’s disease, or young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD).
Exposure to environmental toxins and lifestyle changes are major reasons for the rise in Parkinson's in this group.
While the symptoms of the disease are mostly the same at whatever age it develops, younger people will experience the disease differently due to their unique life circumstances. Managing the disease can be particularly challenging for a younger person and their family from a medical, psychological, and social standpoint.
"There is a perceived increase in younger-onset Parkinson’s in India. Possible reasons include better awareness and diagnosis (more neurologists, improved access to care), environmental exposures (pesticides, heavy metals), and air/water pollution. Lifestyle (sedentary habits) and urbanization-related factors may also contribute," Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad, told HealthandMe.
A 2022 study, published in NPJ Parkinson's Disease, showed that the incidence of Parkinson’s disease, or the number of new cases diagnosed per year, is 50 per cent higher than previously estimated.
Instead of past estimates of 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease diagnosed per year, the study determined that there are approximately 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease diagnosed in the US per year.
"Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) is on the rise, mainly in the middle socio-demographic index. These countries include India, China, and some Southeast Asian countries," Dr Paresh Doshi, Director of Neurosurgery and Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.
"According to one research paper, the age-standardized incidence rate has been rising at an alarming rate of 1.4 per cent per annum. To put it in perspective, if the incidence was 100/10,00,000 in 1995, it would be 153/10,00,000 in 2026," he added.
The experts noted that, along with the rising disability burden, mortality is reducing. The compound effect of all these is a larger number of YOPD patients suffering longer. Surgeries like deep-brain stimulation can help reduce these disabilities significantly.
Early recognition is critical, as many symptoms precede motor features by years.
Common early signs include:
Other important symptoms, which are often overlooked:
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Parkinson’s Disease is traditionally characterized by motor symptoms such as tremor and dyskinesia, although non-motor symptoms, in particular gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as constipation and incomplete emptying, are often the first markers of the disease and may precede the motor symptoms by years.
GI dysfunction is reported in approximately 70-80 per cent of Parkinson’s patients, mediated in large part through the gut-brain axis (GBA).
Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr Paresh Doshi, Director of Neurosurgery and Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, GBA, is an established two-way network that links the GI tract and the central nervous system (CNS). The connection is multifaceted, involving the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system (ENS), the immune system, and a vast number of microbial metabolites and neuroendocrine signals.
“Constipation is seen in 66 per cent of Parkinson’s patients, attributed to disordered central and peripheral parasympathetic disruption, and can lead to alteration of the gut microbiome, which in turn worsens constipation, starting a feedback loop,” the doctor explained.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad, told HealthandMe that changes in the gut microbiome may influence inflammation, α-synuclein aggregation, and symptom progression.
Practical dietary principles for Parkinson’s patients include:
These gut-targeted interventions are promising adjuncts to conventional Parkinson's therapy, and improving patient quality of life.
Beyond gut-brain axis, research has proven that unconventional therapy, like dance and art, can improve Parkinson’s treatment.
A 2024 study published in the Scientific Reports found that tango, particularly Argentine tango, improved Parkinson's symptoms like thinking problems or balance issues. It also led to a significant improvement in recognizing emotions on people's faces.
Dr Kumar said dance therapy improves balance, gait, and coordination; provides rhythmic cueing, which enhances motor performance, and improves mood and motivation (dopamine-related pathways).
Similarly, art therapy has been shown to improve overall visual-cognitive skills and visual exploration strategies as well as general motor function in patients with Parkinson’s. The changes in brain connectivity highlight a functional reorganization of visual networks, as revealed by a study published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders.
Dr Kumar said art and creative therapies are also helpful in enhancing cognitive engagement. It may help with executive function and emotional well-being and provide a non-verbal outlet for expression. However, these therapies work best as adjuncts, not replacements, to standard treatment, the expert noted.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026
World Parkinson's Day is observed annually on April 11 to raise global awareness of Parkinson’s disease, the world's fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder.
It highlights the need for early diagnosis, research, and support for the nearly 10 million people living with the condition. The day marks the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson, who first described the disease in 1817.
The theme of World Parkinson's Day 2026 is "Bridge the Care Gap." It reflects a critical challenge that persists despite advances in medical research: many people living with Parkinson's still lack consistent access to specialist care, affordable treatment, and integrated support systems.
Parkinson's disease affected 11.9 million people in 2021 and will affect 25.2 million people globally by 2050, representing an alarming 112 per cent rise.
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