Dr. Thomas MJ

Mind is the most important organ of our body and the most ignored one. If you can fix your mind you can fix your mind.

Take Care of Your Mind

Not everyone gets a perfect balance between mind, body and heart. If truth be told, nobody really has a balance which we yearn for. But I am going to talk about mind today. The course of our lives is subject to our mind's abilities. No personal context, no physical health issue, no emotional distress has an impact on human life, as much as a disfunctional mind has. How?

Three people I know in my own life up close, living apochryphal misery are the burning example in my own life. Let me share a bit about their lives with their names changed.

I knew Asha very well. Infact she made great impact on my life in more ways than one. She had a case which is clinically called psychosis. Asha could not trust. She lived in constant fear. She did not have a close friend or relative. Even her children were afraid of her when young and weary of her in adulthood. Asha died of countless disease, but she had ceased to live even as she breathed. What was most intriguing was that Asha conjured stories which she believed were true. She faught legal battles in the later years of her life, for things which belonged to her only in her imagination. What finally deterred her from fighting her battles were the dibilitating diseases which took her life. Asha was curable. She could have lived a happier fuller life, if only she had chosen to be treated for her condition. She discontinued her treatment for fear of being ostracised.

Ashish was equally clse to me and made a great impact over me in my early years. Ashish was a doctor. He was also a very well read man. He was great academically, but his quirks as a kid were simply ignored. Some even encouraged. For example, his rude behaviour and criticising attitude towards others went unchecked. He was made to believe that he had a super brain and was the best, 'not one of the best' academically and even behaviourally. As he grew he showed signs of anti social behaviour when in medical school. He started chewing tobacco, talking in most lowly language and creating an environment of fear around himself. All this was ignored. Even when he began talking paranoically, it was all ignored. He lived in poor condition and died of heart attack at a young age. His body was later found in a decomposed state after few days of his death. Ashish could have been cured, he never took medical help inspite of being a doctor. Ashish was indeed inteligent and could have made a difference. But he is no more.

Suhas was someone I saw briefy once in a while. Stories I have heard about him is no different from Ashish's. A bright student, great hopes for future, over priding parents. When I saw Suhas he was just an unemployable individual living with his parents, because he could not support himself. His retired dad had made arrangements for Suhas's well being after he was no more. But this was not to be. Suhas died young of mental ailments while his dad still lives. Suhas could have been treated and could have lived a normal life.

All these three individuals leave a void in the hearts of those who were close to them, but more than anything they have left no pleasent memories to remember them with. Their loss is just pain after lot more pain that their families saw when they lived.

Truth is no one needs to live like this. There is cure. And it is mostly in the form generic drugs of minimal value, but enormous positive impact on the lives of those who suffer and those around them who suffer unfathomably.

I discovered my own learning disorder very late, I would not have left it untreated if I had known it earlier. I was called a fool or idiot or any number of names when I was a kid. I just couldn't learn or remember or perform in my studies. Even though when I applied my intelligence people were surprised by me. But that was not enough for me to be successful. I did not know what it is to be in chage of my own life till I met this Psychiatrist Dr. MJ Thomas by mere chance. He pointed out that even though I was trying to make sense as I talked to him, I was not making enough sense. Something was wrong. He asked me to take the decision to be treated and to come back. And I did.

Life never remained the same after I began the treatment. Being a Chartered Accountant and a blogger, I was not really in any misery, but I felt miserable all the time. And within a few months of starting the treatment it all began to change. I could remember, I could feel like and dislike, I could express my emotions... I was so complete I couldn't imagine how I had lived my life all these years.

1/7th of Indian population live with some mental illness which is never diagnosed. A population the size of Japan is living in a vegetative state with no hope of ever experiencing life in its real form. The social taboo against the discovery of mental illness is so strong, no one wants to get themselves even checked. Even when life becomes unlivable.

Who is to blame? Who will take the right actions? Are we going to ever outgrow our false ego and choose ability over hidden disability?

MH for all +++

MH stands for Mental Health

+ stands for Be Positive

+ stands for Be ready to accept the illness

+ stands for Approach Doctor at an early stage

The pseudonym is used for obvious reasons. Please read further.

The main dilemma for the parents or near ones is that the person suffering will not accept that there is some problem with him or her. This is where the parents / near ones shall be cautious in dealing with the situation.

The Case which I would like to discuss here is in connection with quite a rear case of twins staying continents apart suffering from the same symptoms of illness though a little time apart.

The symptoms were almost the same for both.

In case of X, they were:

• Constant hearing of voices

• Responding to the voices involuntarily

• Hyper activeness

• Getting irritable at the slightest instant

• Lack of sleep

• Crying at the slightest provocation

Since, X was away and alone, the gravity of the problem could not be assessed soon. Only after the problem became severe, X was called back and taken to the Doctor after much persuasion. After a substantial administration of varying doses of medication, X has shown remarkable improvement and at present is absolutely fine. All the symptoms have subsided and is leading a normal life.

In the case of Y, the onset of the problem was a little late. However, the parents were able to diagnose the problem early as they had gone through the trauma earlier. Y was not having the severity that X had faced. The parents/ near ones convinced Y also to approach the same Doctor and the medication has been started. There is already a significant improvement noticed in case of Y also.

Why am I writing this post? Is it to promote the Doctor who has treated them? Definitely not.

There are millions of people suffering silently from the problems though with varying degree of illness. Some of them lack the will to understand the severity of the problem. Some of them, fearing the stigma attached to such illness by the society in general would be suffering silently which includes the people around them.

There is no need to worry about what the people around you or the Society says. It is you and your loved ones who are going through the trauma. Do not heed to others words. If the problem of depression or illness could be treated with medication and the person can lead a normal life, is it not better to choose the line of medication to get well?

Wishing all a positive Mental Health. Please do not suffer. Make the people around you aware of the need to approach the Doctor in the initial stages of problem itself. Spread this awareness.

After my father's sudden demise, my mom became very weepy, listless, clingy, unsure of herself, disinterested in life etc. We thought that she was coming to terms with the loss, however this continued for many years. It was later that we came to know that these were classic signs of depression. She was treated by a capable doctor in Mumbai for almost a year and she seemed fine.

Mom felt she was fine and hence stopped taking the medicines. However, we immediately noticed other issues cropping up like frequent diarrhea, hypochondria, attention seeking approach and again disinterest in life. We approached several doctors from physicians, psychiatrists, endocrinologists etc to to no avail.

I felt most doctors are so distant, they did not even spend enough time talking and understanding mom's issues.

However, per chance we tried Dr. Thomas and seems like we found the magic solution for many of her issues. He is patient, spends time understanding what she likes, dislikes and her complaints. His treatment has helped her immensely.

I have consulted with Dr Thomas for over four months for my mother who is a patient of depression and anxiety. In this span of four months, we must have visited him over 20 times, each time paying a somewhat hefty fee of INR 1000.

He must have tried all possible antidepressants on my mother, sometimes changing her medications every week that gave her severe side effects. Also, she had been on alprazolam for many years, and he stopped that, leading to severe benziodiazepine withdrawal symptoms that ruined her sleep and overall health. He said it was against his principles to prescribe alprazolam because in the united States, doctors were liable to being arrested for it.

When my mother was on the verge of complete breakdown, I had to change doctors to save her from destruction. I would strongly advise you to check all other options before you consult with him.

I am greatfull and Thankfull to Dr Thomas for having helped a loved one of mine return back to normal life after having sufferred from schizophrenia for almost 11yrs. she had visited many doctors during these 11yrs but she got fed up due to the side effects of the medicines so she stopped taking medicines and did not believe any doctors, then started talking to herself, and her quality of life went down drastically .these voices kept increasing and almost covered her entire day. we all got frusrated and fed up asking her to take medicines, but she would never take medicine nor visit doctor. Then I came across Dr Thomas in the internet and deciced to consult him and after 2 to 3 weeks of his treatment , entire story changed , she met the doctor online spoke to him for about an hour, and she said yes to his medicines and now is taking medicine on her own and she has improved a lot. The way he explained to her about the illness convinced her that she should take his treatment Now there is lot of peace in her life . this all happened in about 3 weeks, from those 10yrs she was suffering. his treatment method is very effective and of true Value. I and my family thank him a lot and are greatfull to him. His follow up and treatment method is very good, this is what I found is different from other doctors. Please save your loved once from the torcher of a mental hospital., at least that is what happend to us. He saved her from being put into a mental hospital. I am sure you will get real value from consulting him, he is straight and honest and is an expert in his field. I highly recommend him for mental illness. My Loved ones life is not the same from those 10yrs she had gone thro, after she met him.

Went to meet Dr.thimas when my head was a complete mess. It's been a journey of 1 and half year with him and I feel like a person I used to be before my condition started (worsening). He helped me alot in understanding my problem and how to manage it. He was even responded to my SMS and calls and handled the issue over phone. Had tried several psychiatrist but if it wasn't him I may would had been in more worse condition. He has a really good understanding of medicines and very well read about latest developments. Though these medicines will always have some side effects he always taught ways to handle those side effects. I would totally recommend him.

I was diagnosed with recurrent depression. My life was sad with lot of negative thoughts and negative images, situations made up in my mind. My sleep pattern got disturbed and health got worsened. I started getting lot of stress, physical pains and panic attacks became regular. I started getting scared of heights and of simple situations. I started consulting Dr. MJ Thomas. He gave me the right information and guidance about what the illness is. Mental illness is treatable, please don't think that taking medicines is going to mess you up, please don't fall for the taboo of not going to psychiatrists. Mental illness is just like physical illness in terms of treatment. If you can diagnose and treat it, at the right time you can be happy and peaceful. Now I can trek, climb and go anywhere without fear and anxiety. I started getting positive and happy. There is a lot of improvement in my mood and health. Everyone can overcome this illness. Cheers !

I was getting these symptoms for 8 years and my life was shattered. Thoughts were disturbing me repeatedly coming in and it makes my sleep very poor, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and anger. And that consequence were I was unable to socialize with people, couldn't concentrate in the work and I get angry easily. By consulting DR M.J. THOMAS I was diagnosed of OCD(Obsessive Compulsion Disorder). He prescribed me the medicines such as:- (Oleanz 2.5 mg & Clofranil 25mg). I started feeling better in just 3 days. And now its been a great improvement that I can sleep better in the nights without thoughts coming into my mind. Thank you so much for your guidance Sir.

I didn't find the doctor bit knowledgeable. Though he had 38 years of experience, he is sitting to earn money rather than taking care of patients. Am going through severe mental depression and he was giving gyaans. I didn't pay 1000 rs for gyaans. I also advised him to suggest me medicines and he said to continue the medicines which other doctors prescribed inspite of the medicines not working and giving me severe side effects. He also dare to tell me that his time is over and to pay another 2000 rs to continue the session. He is taking benefit of the fact that people have come with health issues and they will pay whatsoever. This is my worst experience visiting the doctor. He didn't give me any medicines, no prescription, was charging 2000rs extra to continue the consultation beyond 15mins. I would strictly advise to stay away from this doctor. He is a useless piece sitting and counting notes.

I was distraught when I first walked into Dr. MJ Thomas’ clinic at Apollo. I was losing weight, had disconnected with the world around me, preferred being by myself, lay awake most nights, couldn’t focus on one thing, felt estranged from my own family and found no particular meaning in life. That was when a friend and childhood buddy suggested I see Dr. MJ Thomas. My first appointment lasted 2 hours.

In less than a week I began to see a difference. My thoughts were still running but they were no longer debilitating. I was able to focus enough to carry out my responsibilities at work. I slept deep and sound. I misplaced and forgot things less. I smiled more. I began reading and started back on my craft work. It felt like I got a second lease of life.

Yes, it did take a few trials to arrive at the right dose. And just as Dr. Thomas warned it did take a couple of weeks for the body to adapt. Dr. Thomas is upfront about his fees and for a specialty practice that delivers results his charges are absolutely reasonable.

If you want individual attention and tailor-made therapy be prepared to pay the consultation fee or else there is always NIMHANS or St. Johns.