Decode - Stories of Human Behaviour
Mental illness is a psychological disorder that affects the mood, thinking, and behavior of an individual. While the disease is taken seriously across the globe, with qualified and experienced psychiatrists treating mentally ill patients, in Pakistan the condition is still considered as a taboo and the patients are called names like “mad”, “nutcase”, “crazy”, and more. Surprisingly, one in every eight people in the world experiences mental illness, while 200 million Pakistanis are suffering from this disorder. Worse, there are fewer than 500 psychiatrists per million people in Pakistan, which shows that the disease figures at the bottom of the state’s priority list.
The purpose of this documentary “Decode” is to highlight the gravity of a range of mental illnesses that might affect people of all age groups, and to showcase how we as a society should react to mentally challenged individuals and offer effective solutions to alleviate their suffering.
Episode 1
Schizophrenia is a serious psychological disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may appear like they have lost touch with reality, which can be upsetting for them and for their family and friends. The disorder can deter the individual from participating or taking an interest in everyday activities, but they can lead a normal life if they take medication or engage in various psychotherapies. However, it’s essential to recognize the symptoms of schizophrenia and start the treatment as soon as possible. People with the condition are typically diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30.
Episode 2
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that some people develop as a result of experiencing a traumatic, scary, or life-threatening event. The disorder can affect men and women at any age, particularly combat veterans and people who have witnessed or endured a physical or sexual abuse, a deadly incident, a catastrophe, or other serious events that have left an indelible scar on their memory. People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder may feel anxious or scared even when they are not in jeopardy. The disease, however, is treatable through medication and various psychotherapies.
Episode 3
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious psychological condition characterized by the presence of intrusive and recurrent thoughts, images, and impulses known as obsessions, as well as repetitive behaviors called compulsions. These compulsions and obsessions can cause significant distress and may interfere in daily functioning. Although genetic predisposition is primarily responsible for OCD, several other factors such as the patient’s upbringing, their inability to reach a certain point in their career, or their challenging financial situation may also have a role in the development of this condition.
Episode 4
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes changes in a person’s mood, energy, and activity levels, interfering with their daily functioning. When an individual becomes depressed, they may be overwhelmed by feelings of sadness or pessimism, losing interest or pleasure in most activities. And when their mood shifts to mania or hypomania, they may feel overjoyed, super-excited, or remarkably irritable, throwing up red flags that the individual may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder and should consult a qualified psychiatrist.
Episode 5
In Pakistan mental health has never been taken seriously by the state or society. Worse, those experiencing psychiatric problems have either been stigmatized as simply ‘mad’ or thought to have been possessed by some demon or supernatural creature. No wonder, Pakistan is one of the few countries that have invested scantily in mental health initiatives. The state’s apathetic attitude towards this grave social issue can be gauged by the alarmingly low number of psychiatrists (a meager 500!) for a teeming 250 million Pakistanis.
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