KOZHIKODE: It’s not just the banks and ATMs that are witnessing long queues. The demonetisation drive has forced many to knock at the doors of psychiatrists after panic attack caused sleeplessness, breathlessness and emotional distress. While many patients approaching the doctors are worried over the unaccounted money stashed in their houses, psychiatrists say genuine people too come to them after the sudden change in financial system put them in turmoil.
“A lot of people having panic attack are coming for consultation after the government scrapped Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes. Generally, they are suffering from ‘adjustment disorder’. They cannot cope up with the sudden change in a system. Anxiety creeps in, leading to depression,” said psychiatrist P N Suresh Kumar of IQRAA Hospital.
Doctors said traders, small builders and even housewives have been approaching them since the demonetisation. C J John, psychratrist, said people were worried about the future of their financial situation. “Black money hoarders are not the only affected section. I have been attending to a patient who is depressed over the money her family had earned after selling a plot,” he said. John said apart from professional medical treatment, these patients needed to consult a financial advisor or a charted accountant to find a solution.
“The announcement came as a shock to many. The sudden change in the social/financial order has increased the anxiety levels and it varies from person to person. In Kerala, we can expect more such cases in the coming days as demonetisation is expected to impact different strata of people,” he said.
So, how to cope with the situation? Experts suggested that people who were worried over demonetisation should consult a doctor.