Asha

Asha was admitted at the age of 30. In a desperate state she had tried to commit suicide twice with self inflicted wounds and after 10yrs of suffering she was finally brought to antara to receive help. On admittance she was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Although she is married with 1 child, Asha has suffered for many years with feelings of guilt, depression, hopelessness and lack of confidence. She feels paranoia in any situation, as she often believes people are discussing her. Luckily, unlike many others, her family is still supporting her so that Antara can provide her with medical help and emotional care so one day she can return to look after her child.

Deepa

Annie was admitted to Antara at 35 yrs old. Little is known about Annie, but she was taken to Bombay by her parents where at the age 31 she was gang raped by a group of 8 men. It is not known whether it was before or after this event that her parents abandoned her but she was brought as a destitute by a Missions of Charity School in Nepal to Antara. In Nepal she had been receiving electric shock therapy for her problems, which include both auditory and visual hallucinations, irritation, aggression and restlessness. Whilst at Antara the treatment has been free and for the past 7 yrs she has yo-yo’d between wards due to aggressive out bursts which have included assaults on fellow patients and staff. She still suffers from hallucinations of people coming to rape her and has to receive medication each day to control her mood. Annie has no family and nowhere to go so at the moment it looks like as well as providing her with free treatment and accommodation, Antara will have to support her for the rest of her life.

Usha

Usha had been suffering for almost a year before she arrived at Antara. She was admitted because she had become destructive, abusive, was suffering from sleep disturbance, and had run away from home. Once at Antara she was diagnosed with biploar disorder and psychosis. The level of family support she has received has varied greatly during the 10 years she had been in and out of Antara’s care. Her husband suffers from alcohol addiction leaving Usha's 3 sons and daughter-in-law to run the household. Usha has been discharged from Antara on many occassions, though she eventually returns because either the family has rejected her or the atmosphere within the family is so unhealthy that her symptoms reappear. Antara is helping Usha and her family by providing free treatment and accommodation. This also includes trying to improve the family relationships by having home visits and encouraging the husband to seek treatment for his addiction. As well as caring for Usha’s mental well being Antara has also provided for her physical needs by paying for and supporting her through an operation.  

Lakshmi

One of Antara’s  youngest patients, Lakshmi,  was admitted at just 18 years old. Problems began early with a gradual onset, and by 9th grade she could no longer continue studying. At the age of 8 she began suffering from epilepsy and an electrical injury in her childhood rendered her unconscious. Later CT Scans revealed cerebral atrophy and as treatment of epilepsy continued her psychiatric problems got worse. On admission she was suffering from various symptoms which include aggression, talking to herself, lack of sleep and appetite, suicidal thoughts, and hallucinations of seeing and hearing Gods. Diagnosed with Organic Psychotic Disorder, Lakshmi is now denying the memory of having hallucinations only a few hours after having experienced them.

Lakshmi will remain in the women’s Acute ward until she is no longer aggressive at which point she will be moved to the women’s General ward where she will be entered into a rehabilitation programme. However, before this Antara will be sending her for brain scans in order to assess her condition.

Priti

Priti is a resident on the ICCO ward for the rehabilitation of women. She is just 18yrs old and she was brought up in an orphanage until this year when she had to leave and move to a women’s refuge in West Bengal. Whilst there she found the change of place a great disturbance and became very depressed.

She was admitted to Antara when she displayed signs of suicidal tendencies and self-harm.  In addition she has refused certain foods and is underweight. She displays signs of tearfulness and hysteria at times aswell.

Despite these many problems Priti would be able to leave Antara if a suitable placement could be found. Returning to the refuge is likely only to make her feel worse. It is likely she will stay at Antara supported by the organisation. More positively she has been enrolled on a programme of training and production in jute handicraft production. This may lead to income generation and the start of a more independent life.

We have since heard from Antara that Priti has started her training with the jute units and is doing well.

(Note: Names in the following case-studies have been changed to preserve anonymity and pictures do not relate to the person described).