Dr. Sarthak Dave is a psychiatrist by profession who spreads awareness on mental health. Hailing from Ahmedabad, India, he is also a torch-bearer of ending mental health stigma and myths. Over the years, he has guided people to find ways to appreciate the positivity around them.
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In his conversation with Icy Tales, Dr. Sarthak Dave spoke about his journey into specializing in Psychiatry and his ups and downs as a psychiatrist.
Q) Tell us about your journey in pursuing medicine. Was it something that you always wanted to do?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – I always wanted to work hard. Since school, I would always feel that I should be good at whatever I do, not to be better than others but to grasp the concept, to learn everything that is in there in the subject. And after my 12th standard result, after getting good marks, I opted and get into MBBS. And once into MBBS, the competition was more. I was with one of the best minds in the state, and I loved every bit of it.
Q) Is there any particular reason behind specializing in psychiatry?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – Honestly, Psychiatry was never my first choice. But then, that’s one of the best decisions I have taken in my life. Although I wanted to go into something that didn’t have many emergencies, I am fond of sleeping at night. By completing MBBS, I had already spent a lot of sleepless nights for studies, and I felt that I wouldn’t prefer doing that for the rest of my life.
But once I entered my psychiatry residency, I fell in love with it. Thanks to my mentors and colleagues, everything about psychiatry intrigued me. The three years of residency experience were one of the best periods of my life. And if given a chance, I’ll choose psychiatry again.
Q) What is the importance of Mental Health in today’s world?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – It’s something that one cannot understand the seriousness of unless they’ve experienced it or seen some loved one go through it. It’s dreadful to realize that all your body parts are functioning normally and everything is going well, yet suddenly, you’ve started to lose the energy to get out of bed.
The realization that your mind isn’t able to think the way it used to and feel the way it used to. And this is so prevalent these days. Irrespective of gender, age, everything, it’s so prevalent, and the suffering is real. And talking about the psychotic spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, it’s high time we, as a society, realize that the faith healers (baba, tantric) don’t have a role in people with illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar mood disorder, and these are real illnesses. They need to be treated by a doctor.
Q) Is there any particular time in your life you would want to relive?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – As I mentioned above, I’d like any day love to relive my psychiatry residency years. We used to have this canteen on the same floor as our hostel rooms and what amazing tea he used to serve. And the feeling of having that first sip after a long day at work or a good study day is unmatched.
The time I would not like to relive is those years during my education when we had severe financial issues as a family, the times when my mother or sister was supposed to be treated for something grave. I hope and pray that I never have to and nobody ever has to go through such a period.
Q) What has being a psychiatrist taught you?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – Being a psychiatrist has taught me empathy. It has taught me that even if it’s not a significant event for you, it definitely can be for someone else. It has also taught me how to listen to people without judging them and how to listen to the whole story without jumping to conclusions or pounding them with unsolicited advice.
Q) What is the best and worst part about being a psychiatrist?
Dr. Sarthak Dave- Being a psychiatrist, the best part is that I feel lucky to recognize and treat the pain that most people cannot see. My patients can confide in me, and I can give them a place where they can talk and express themselves without looming in fear of being judged.
The worst part is the lines that I hear at social functions, “Arre aap to psychiatrist ho na, aap to hamaare mann mein kya chal rahaa hai woh binaa kahe jaan logey,” etc. (You are a psychiatrist, you can tell us what is going on in our minds without we telling you)
Q) What tips do you have to help people stay positive?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – The most important thing I feel these days is that we must understand and respect all emotions. All emotions: sadness, anger, jealousy, happiness, joy, excitement, apprehension, etc., are normal human emotions. And when you experience them in sync with the events happening around and with you, they’re normal.
One cannot expect not to feel sad when they’re going through something terrible in their life. And if you say you should feel happy, no matter the situation, you’re adding to your woes. I want to add that I always believe that “Every problem has a solution. Even if it’s not visible to you, it does have one.”
Q) What do you have to say about stress management?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – When the reason for the stress is real, face and solve the primary issue. However, if the reason isn’t real or if you feel you are feeling overly stressed for a minimal reason, physical exercise helps. Spending time with friends and family helps too. But if it’s not helping, stop blaming yourself for feeling stressed and consult an expert.
Q) How do you deal with your insecurities while being a mental health expert?
Dr. Sarthak Dave- I’m a psychiatrist but also a human. I have my share of ups and downs and stresses. I follow the above thing. I don’t completely depend on one thing or person to feel better. I do multiple things. And I do all of them with equal zest and commitment. So if I face a setback in one, I get my mood elevation from something else.
Q) What change do you want to bring in people regarding mental health stigma?
Dr. Sarthak Dave – Acceptance of the very fact that they’re diseases that need to be treated. Eventually, you will have to. But why do you want to waste that precious time and wait till it worsens to such an extent that it gets difficult to be treated? Why can’t we recognize and accept it early and save a life?
If you visit a psychiatrist, it will not harm you. The doctor will help you lead a more stable and happier life. The society you are scared of that you think will talk and think ill of you if they find out that you visit a psychiatrist will not be able to help you feel any better when you are going through something as terrible as a mental illness.
The arrogance we, as a society, look down on people with mental illness doesn’t understand the harm it does to the person and our community. Support, understand, and help people who suffer. That’ll help them get out of it.
Dr. Sarthak Dave aims to help more people to get better in life. He strongly believes that mental health problems should be treated like physical problems.
Last Updated on by Sathi