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."

Real Disorders With Real Affect On Life

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.

Violence against healthcare professionals is no longer just a workplace issue but a national concern that threatens the very foundation of India's healthcare system, said Dr Dilip Bhanushali, Immediate Past National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), at the ongoing Times Network India Health Summit 2026 in Hyderabad.

Addressing a session on Building Trust in Healthcare: Addressing Violence Against Healthcare Professionals, the expert highlighted the alarming rise in attacks on doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, calling for urgent legal reforms, stronger security measures, and a renewed effort to rebuild trust between patients and medical professionals.

Over 60% Healthcare Workers Face Violence

Drawing attention to the scale of the problem, the Dr Dilip said studies show that more than 60 per cent of healthcare workers in India have experienced some form of violence, with verbal abuse being the most common. Emergency departments continue to be among the most vulnerable areas for such incidents.

"Behind every statistic is a doctor who went home shaken, a nurse who cried silently after a night shift, or a medical student questioning their future in the profession," he said.

The growing normalization of violence against healthcare workers, he warned, is one of the most worrying aspects of the crisis.

Doctors Become Targets When Outcomes Go Wrong

Dr. Dilip noted that while doctors are often celebrated when treatments succeed, they frequently become targets when outcomes are unfavorable despite their best efforts.

"Medicine is not mathematics. Not every illness can be cured, not every complication can be predicted, and not every life can be saved," he said.

While emphasizing that accountability and transparency are essential when mistakes occur, the expert stressed that violence can never be justified. "A complication is not necessarily misconduct, and a bad outcome is not necessarily a crime," he added.

Trust Is The Oxygen of Healthcare

Also read: Childhood Obesity Is A 'Do or Die' Crisis, Experts Warn At Times Network India Health Summit 2026

Calling trust the foundation of effective healthcare delivery, Dr. Dilip said the erosion of trust between patients and doctors has serious consequences for the entire healthcare ecosystem.

"Without trust, every prescription is questioned, every diagnosis is doubted, and every conversation becomes a confrontation," he noted.

The Indian Medical Association has consistently maintained that violence against healthcare workers is not merely an attack on an individual doctor but on the healthcare system itself, he added.

Demand for Stronger Laws and Faster Justice

The IMA leader reiterated the association's long-standing demand for a comprehensive central law to protect healthcare personnel and institutions.

While acknowledging that several states have enacted legislation against violence towards healthcare workers, they argued that enforcement remains inconsistent.

The association is seeking stricter penalties, mandatory registration of cases, speedy investigations, and time-bound prosecution of offenders.

"Laws on paper alone cannot protect healthcare workers. Enforcement is equally important," Dr. Dilip said.

Hospitals Must Be Designated Safe Zones

Read More: Times Now Health Summit 2026: AI Cannot Replace Doctors, It Can Only Complement, Says Dr Santosh Sivaranjani

Beyond legislation, Dr Dilip said called for practical measures to improve safety within healthcare facilities.

Recommendations included regular security audits, adequate CCTV coverage, trained security personnel, emergency response systems, and controlled-access areas within hospitals.

"No healthcare professional should fear for their safety while caring for patients," he said.

"The future of healthcare cannot be built on fear; it must be built on trust," Dr Dilip said.

Healthcare professionals, he added, continue to serve despite long hours, emotional strain, and personal sacrifices, and deserve both protection and respect.

"Protect the healer, and you protect healing itself," Dr Dilip said.

The ongoing Times Now India Health Summit 2026 – South Edition in Hyderabad is bringing together leading voices from government, medicine, research, and the healthcare industry to discuss the future of India's healthcare system.

The summit featured renowned doctors, policymakers, hospital leaders, researchers, and healthcare innovators, with discussions spanning preventive healthcare, artificial intelligence, women's health, public health policy, and medical innovation.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform healthcare worldwide, concerns about technology replacing doctors remain a topic of debate.

Dr. Santosh Sivaranjani, popularly known as "The ORS Lady of India," addressed these concerns at the Times Now India Health Summit 2026 – South Edition in Hyderabad.

The renowned pediatrician and social activist emphasized that AI can only assist doctors and cannot replace the core human qualities that define medical care.

Dr. Sivaranjani acknowledged that doctors are increasingly embracing innovations such as artificial intelligence to improve patient care and health education. However, she stressed that technology has clear limitations.

"No matter how much AI advances, it can only complement us. It cannot replace the human touch, clinical acumen, or the genuine empathy that doctors have towards their patients," she said. "We should be proud of being doctors" because such qualities cannot be replicated by machines, she said.

The Privilege and Challenge of Being a Doctor in India

Speaking before an audience of healthcare professionals, Dr. Sivaranjani also highlighted the unique challenges and rewards of being a doctor in India. She described the profession as both a privilege and an extraordinary challenge, citing the immense patient load, demanding work schedules, and personal sacrifices made by medical professionals every day.

"Our journey demands countless sleepless nights, missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, and even caring for other patients when our own loved ones are unwell," she said. "Yet the moment we see a patient recover and smile, all those sacrifices seem worthwhile."

Changing Perceptions of the Medical Profession

Dr. Sivaranjani also reflected on the changing perception of doctors in India. She noted that physicians were once regarded with deep respect and seen as pillars of strength during families' most difficult moments. While many doctors continue to uphold these values, she expressed concern that rising healthcare costs and changing public expectations have altered doctor-patient relationships.

"Most doctors work to the best of their ability and according to their conscience, not to please patients but to provide the right treatment," she said.

Concerns Over the Consumer Protection Act

The pediatrician further highlighted concerns about the inclusion of doctors under the Consumer Protection Act, arguing that it has contributed to a more defensive doctor-patient relationship.

"Medicine often requires difficult and sometimes risky decisions to save lives. However, fear of legal consequences can make doctors hesitant to take those necessary risks," she said.

Rebuilding Trust Through Empathy and Ethics

Calling for efforts to rebuild public trust, Dr. Sivaranjani urged medical professionals to prioritize empathy, transparency, ethical practice, and patient education. She emphasized that medicine is not only a science but also an art that requires compassion and effective communication.

"The moment a patient enters your consultation room, half of their illness should disappear because of the confidence and reassurance you provide," she said. "Arrogance has no place in our profession."

She also stressed the need to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure to ensure equitable access to quality medical services across the country.

Concluding her address, Dr. Sivaranjani paid tribute to healthcare workers across India for their dedication and resilience.

"It is a privilege to be a doctor in this great country and to make a difference in so many lives," she said. "At the same time, it is an extraordinary challenge to protect ourselves from violence, navigate legal pressures, and help people understand that we are here not to please them, but to heal them."

As oncologists, we often meet patients at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Yet there are times where a patient's journey reminds of the extraordinary resilience that people can show while facing the challenges that cancer presents

I recently treated a 38-year-old woman whose story has stayed with me.

Having just welcomed her baby into the world, her demanding yet joyful routine revolved around feeding schedules and sleepless nights. It was during this period that she noticed a hard lump in her breast.

Breast Lumps Can Cause Aggressive Breast Cancer

A sonomammography revealed a suspicious BIRADS 4A lesion. A biopsy confirmed Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which is one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer. It was classified as a Stage III disease after evaluation through PET-CT which showed involvement of the axillary lymph nodes. The tumor also had a high Ki-67 index, indicating that it was growing rapidly.

Facing Cancer While Caring for A Newborn

The untimely diagnosis found the mother facing difficult questions about cancer treatment, her future and her ability to care for her child. One of the immediate challenges was that she had to stop breastfeeding.

Under the guidance of her pediatrician, her baby was transitioned to bottle feeds. This can be an emotionally challenging process for mothers as the feeling of guilt tends to seep in when breastfeeding plans are disrupted by illness.

A Modern Treatment Approach

After detailed and prolonged discussions with the patient and her family, we initiated treatment with neoadjuvant immunotherapy using pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy. This approach has emerged as one of the more prominent advances in the treatment of high-risk Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, having significantly improved outcomes for many patients.

Motherhood is a physically and emotionally taxing experience but the patient showed incredible strength during her cancer therapy, driven by her child and the unwavering support of her family.

Following completion of neoadjuvant therapy, repeat PET-CT imaging showed a near-complete response. She subsequently underwent surgery, and the final pathology report revealed a pathological complete response, meaning no residual invasive cancer had been detected.

This was the desired outcome for the treating team as well as the patient. She later completed the remaining course of immunotherapy, bringing her total treatment duration to one year. Today, both mother and child are doing well.

Breast Cancer Can Occur During Pregnancy

This tremendous journey highlights an important message. The fact that breast cancer can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period deserves wider attention. Any breast lump that persists or feels unusual should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as early diagnosis remains one of the most important factors in achieving positive outcomes.

The process is reflective of the advances in cancer treatment that are changing the outlook for patients with aggressive cancers. These advances are done through the integration of immunotherapy into treatment protocols which is helping more patients achieve improved long-term outcomes. The mother’s story is a reminder that cancer and motherhood are not mutually exclusive journeys.

Her ability to navigate this path is due to her timely diagnosis, access to appropriate treatment, family support and personal resilience. What began as a frightening diagnosis soon after childbirth ultimately became a story of hope, courage and survival. This is a powerful reminder to every new mother who might discover an unusual breast lump, that listening to your body and seeking medical advice early can make all the difference.