Brief Answer: Explained below. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to Healthcare Magic! Computers, like cell phones, emit electro-magnetic radiation which is known to be harmful for the body. The damage is maximum when you are working, sitting close to the computer and facing the screen. The wi-fi also adds to the radiation. Ideally speaking, computers and other such devices should not be kept in the bedroom. But often due to constraints of space and other reasons, this is not possible. If it is not inconvenient to you, then put it in another room. But if you keep it in the bedroom, then you should shut it down when it is not in use, including the wi-fi and keep it as far away from your bed as possible. Also put some indoor plants, especially cacti in the room near the computer as they are known to absorb electro-magnetic radiation. Hope this clears up things for you. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: Yes. Detailed Answer: Hi, Yes, it is believed that cactus plants absorb electromagnetic radiation, though I do not know if it has been proved scientifically. But still as there is no harm in keeping a small plant near the computer, one can try it. You can read more about it at ( WWW.WWWW.WW . Many other sites also support this claim but I really do not know if it has any sound scientific basis. You can do more to prevent your exposure to electromagnetic radiation. You can find some useful tips at (http://www.electricsense.com/1138/), though again I cannot say how much of this has a sound scientific basis. In my opinion, follow the tips that do not involve much of an expense and are easy to carry out. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: Yes. Detailed Answer: Hi, Yes, I am a psychiatrist. I agree with you that it is really difficult to find a good psychiatrist all over the world. If you do not wish to see one more psychiatrist, that is fine. There is a lot you can do yourself, without using medications, to help your depression and anxiety. You will notice a big difference in your depression and anxiety if you can regularly practice relaxation exercises like progressive muscular relaxation exercise or autogenic relaxation. Detailed instructions are easily available online. These help in reducing the stress which in turn reduces both depression and anxiety. Apart from relaxation exercises, people with depression and anxiety benefit a lot from mindfulness training, which helps them objectively analyse their own thoughts and behavior and modify them to reduce negative and anxiety provoking thoughts. There is a lot of information available on the net, which you can read and gradually try to apply in your day to day life. It is good that your thyroid levels are stable because abnormalities in thyroid hormones worsens mental illnesses. Keep on monitoring your hormone levels regularly. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: Explained below in detail. Detailed Answer: Hi, Yes, psychiatric disorders are actually disorders of the brain. Usually, the anomaly is not in the structures of the brain but in the functioning of different structures. That is why, imaging studies like CT scan or MRI which study the structure of the brain, are usually normal in people with psychiatric disorders. Over the last couple of decades, there has been a lot of research that has helped us understand what changes occur in the brain in different psychiatric disorders. However, there is much that is still not well-understood. The most commonly found abnormality is in the levels and activity of different neurotransmitters in different parts of the brain. This understanding has helped scientists develop many drugs to treat psychiatric disorders in the last few decades, whereas previously psychotherapy was the only available mode of treatment. Yes, people's brains order them what to do. For example, if you wish to drink a glass of water, first a part of your brain tells you that you are thirsty and need water. Another part decides where to get the water. Another part orders you legs to take you to the kitchen. Yet another part identifies the glass and water. It is yet another part which orders the hand to pour the water into the glass and take it your lips. There is a very complicated and delicate interaction between different parts of the brain to enable us to do even the simplest activity. Since most of this happens at the unconscious level, we are not aware of what is going on inside the brain. It is just like using where you are able to see the output but cannot see the complex of the information. There has been some research that has suggested that left handed people are more prone to depression, but this is not widely accepted as some other studies have found no association between the two. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: Discuss both types of pain. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back! Both emotional pain and physical pain are interrelated. Physical symptoms can lead to negative emotions and negative emotion can lead to physical symptoms. For example, people with depression feel fatigued very easily. Similarly, people who have had a stroke are at a higher risk of suffering from depression in the next few months. Because of this interrelationship, in my opinion, you should discuss both types of pain with your doctor. Whenever you feel that your doctor is criticizing you, please assess if the doctor is simply concerned about you and wants you to do better or if the doctor is being arrogant and rude. If you feel that the latter is true and you are offended by his/her behavior, be assertive and tell the doctor, "I am sorry that we have a difference of opinion, but I would like it if you can be more polite in your communication with me". Many times doctors take patients for granted and become a little high-handed in their approach, which is wrong. I am sure that if you bring it to their notice, they will behave better and be more tactful in saying what they wish to say. It is the same for treatment response. If you feel that a treatment is not working, do not hesitate in telling your doctor that this is what you feel. Many times there are issues like delayed response from medicines, drug interactions, adverse effects etc which can explain you worsening or lack of improvement. If you discuss this with the doctor candidly, you will know whether the treatment needs to be changed or you simply need to wait longer. Above all, be assertive and speak your heart out. Do not ever leave a doctor's chamber feeling that there are things that you wanted to say but didn't. Good or bad, express yourself freely and listen to the other person with the same attention and courtesy that you would want for yourself. I am sure you would be able to find at least one doctor who listens to all your fears and worries, is polite and supportive and is able to instill in you a confidence in his abilities. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: As below. Detailed Answer: Hi, You are right that all patients with mental disorders are not crazy. In fact it is believed that 25% of the world population has some mental disorder. Obviously, one-fourth of all the people in the world are not crazy. It is unfortunate that you were treated in this manner by a doctor. I would still say that you should protest when any person speaks with you in this manner. Express your displeasure politely but clearly so that they do not repeat their offensive behavior. Never feel scared but stand up for yourself. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer: Explained below. Detailed Answer: Hi, Depression does not come from the left side of the body but the left half of the brain may have something to do with it. Many studies have found that there is decreased metabolism in the left frontal lobe of the brain in depressed patients. People with mania, which has symptoms opposite to depression, have lowered metabolism in the right frontal lobe. I cannot say if the presence of the nodule in the left half of thyroid and the greater pain in left half of the body are in any way related to depression, but as far as I know, it is unlikely. Best wishes. Dr Preeti Parakh MD Psychiatry

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