HYDERABAD: The entire work culture of IT companies—whether starting the work late in the afternoon as per the timings of another country, working late or overnight, regular performance appraisals that leads to a lot of comparisons among fellow employees which can cause feeling of inferiority or insecurity among some, daily accountability of work, fear of getting a pink slip out of the blue —is such that it keeps pushing the stress levels up and can even take it to a point where an employee can break down.
All top psychiatrists/psychologists in Hyderabad are approached by many stressed-out IT employees seeking help on Saturdays as consultation is usually not available at hospitals on Sundays.
On weekdays the software employees have no time to visit a doctor as they are immersed in office work.
“Sometimes we get cases which cannot be treated with just counselling and require medication. However, there seems to be an increase in awareness on mental health as the number of IT employees are seeking help for mental stress has increased in the last two years,” says Dr Bharat Kumar Reddy, a consultant psychiatrist.
Moreover, many Indian employees hesitate to approach a psychiatrist or psychologist even if the latter is available in the company, thinking that visiting him might be construed as complaining about the boss.
Moreover, there is a lack of a culture of seeking medical help for stress-like issues as in the case of other health issues like cold or fever.
Stress symptoms that need medical help
Sleep disturbance
Sleeping excessively or lack of sleep
Irritability
Low tolerance, mood swings
Memory loss
Loss of interest in work
Loss of appetite
Loneliness
