Global Psychiatric Association

Entering this year, we see a lot of political insurgencies all around the world. The authors at Global Psychiatric Association have delved into the dimensions and effects of war on mental health. War has a devastating impact on communities, not only physically but also mentally. The psychological toll of war can be far-reaching, affecting individuals, families, and entire societies long after the conflict has ended. Managing mental health in war situations requires a multi-dimensional approach that takes into account the unique challenges posed by the violence, trauma, and displacement associated with conflict. In this blog, we will explore some key self-help strategies for displaced people that can support mental health and facilitate recovery in difficult circumstances.

1. Building a Routine for Stability:
   One of the first challenges displaced individuals face is the lack of structure and routine, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and isolation. Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of normalcy and control, helping to reduce stress.
   Create a Simple Daily Schedule: Establish a set time to wake up, eat meals, exercise, and go to sleep. Even small activities like making your bed or organizing your living space can help to bring structure to your day.
   Set Achievable Goals: Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This might include finding basic necessities (food, water, hygiene products), learning about the new environment, or engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.
2. Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises:
   Mindfulness practices can help displaced individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with the present moment, particularly when they are overwhelmed by memories of the past or fears about the future.
   Breathing Exercises: Focused breathing techniques, such as deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing, can help calm the nervous system. For example, the “4-7-8 technique” involves inhaling for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and exhaling slowly for eight seconds. Practicing this regularly can reduce tension and help manage feelings of panic.
   Mindfulness Meditation: Even a few minutes of mindfulness meditation each day can provide a mental break from distressing thoughts. Practicing mindfulness involves observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can help individuals detach from overwhelming emotions and develop a sense of peace.
3. Social Connections and Peer Support:
   Social isolation is a common issue for displaced people, and the lack of social support can exacerbate feelings of sadness and loneliness. However, building new social connections and seeking peer support can significantly enhance psychological resilience.
   Seek Out Support Groups: Many refugee camps, shelters, and community organizations offer peer support groups for displaced people. Connecting with others who have shared similar experiences can reduce feelings of isolation, provide emotional validation, and foster a sense of community.
   Reach Out to Family and Friends: Staying in touch with loved ones, if possible, can help alleviate loneliness and provide emotional support. Even when physical distances are great, staying connected through phone calls, messages, or video chats can help maintain a sense of connection.
4. Expressive Activities for Emotional Processing:
   Expressing emotions in healthy ways can be a powerful tool for processing trauma and reducing psychological distress. Displaced individuals can engage in creative outlets that allow them to explore and release their emotions.
   Journaling: Writing about experiences, thoughts, and feelings can provide an outlet for emotional expression. Journaling offers a private space for displaced individuals to process their trauma and reflect on their journey, which can promote emotional healing.
   Art and Music Therapy: Engaging in artistic activities such as drawing, painting, or making music allows displaced people to express complex emotions that might be difficult to put into words. Art therapy can promote emotional release, offer relaxation, and help individuals gain a sense of control over their lives.
5. Physical Activity and Self-Care:
   Physical health is closely linked to mental health, and maintaining a healthy body can help improve emotional well-being. Engaging in physical activity, even in small ways, can reduce stress, improve mood, and promote a sense of accomplishment.
   Exercise: Even simple exercises, such as walking, stretching, or practicing yoga, can have significant benefits for mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, and can help manage anxiety and depression.
   Sleep Hygiene: Poor sleep can exacerbate mental health issues, making it crucial to establish good sleep habits. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting caffeine intake, and creating a calm sleep environment can promote better rest and improve emotional resilience.
6. Cognitive Restructuring:
   Displacement often comes with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which can negatively impact mental health. Cognitive restructuring involves challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with more realistic and positive perspectives.
   Reframe Negative Thoughts: Practice identifying unhelpful or negative thoughts and replacing them with more balanced perspectives. For example, instead of thinking “I have lost everything,” try reframing it as “I have experienced loss, but I am still strong, and I can rebuild my life.”
   Practice Gratitude: Despite the challenges, focusing on small things for which you are grateful can help shift the focus from loss to resilience. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down things you appreciate—whether it’s a kind word from someone or the beauty of nature—can provide a sense of hope and optimism.
7. Accessing Available Resources:
   Displaced individuals may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the resources available to them in their new environment. Identifying and accessing resources that can support mental and physical health is an important part of self-help.
   Health and Psychological Services: Many organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local NGOs, offer mental health and counseling services to displaced populations. It’s important to seek out these resources, even if they are unfamiliar, to receive professional support.
   Legal and Social Support: Navigating legal systems and social services can be difficult, but accessing assistance for housing, food, and legal status can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Local refugee or migrant organizations can help displaced individuals access these essential services.
8. Spiritual Practices and Meaning-Making:
   For many displaced individuals, spirituality and religion provide a sense of hope, comfort, and meaning during times of crisis. Spiritual practices can offer emotional resilience and a framework for understanding suffering.
   Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in prayer or meditation can be a powerful source of comfort. For those who follow a particular religion, connecting with their faith community or engaging in personal rituals can foster a sense of peace and connection to something greater.
   Seeking Meaning in Suffering: In the face of extreme hardship, finding meaning in one’s experiences—whether through faith, personal growth, or community support—can help displaced individuals cope with the psychological toll of displacement. Reflecting on how one can contribute to rebuilding communities or help others who have suffered can create a sense of purpose. These are personal reflections by Dr Rohit Walwaikar.

Hello readers, there are a lot of quotidian phenomena that we come across as a clinician treating the vagaries of life, the conditions that are often referred to in mythological terms. Today through this blog I intend to throw some light onto the psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome.

Damocles Syndrome refers to a psychological condition where an individual feels constant anxiety or fear of impending doom, often accompanied by the sensation of living under extreme pressure or in a precarious situation. The term is derived from the ancient Greek story of Damocles, where a courtier was invited to experience the luxurious life of a king, only to find a sword hanging over his head, held by a single thread. This story symbolizes the tension of living with an ever-present threat, and Damocles Syndrome mirrors this feeling, often triggered by stress, perfectionism, or the fear of failure. Those affected may experience heightened stress, difficulty making decisions, and a constant sense of vulnerability, even in situations where there is no immediate danger. It’s essentially the fear of a metaphorical “sword” hanging over one’s head, casting a shadow over their sense of security and well-being.

From a psycho-oncological perspective, Damocles Syndrome can be understood as a manifestation of existential distress in individuals grappling with life-threatening illness, particularly cancer. This phenomenon mirrors the psychological burden of living with the constant, looming awareness of mortality, often exacerbated by the physical and emotional toll of the disease. The metaphor of the sword hanging over the individual’s head reflects the persistent anxiety and fear of relapse, progression, or the ultimate end of life, which may interfere with coping mechanisms and psychological resilience. Patients may experience a paradoxical sense of hypervigilance, as they oscillate between moments of apparent stability and the inescapable sense of impending crisis. In the context of psycho-oncology, Damocles Syndrome underscores the complex interplay between the psychological and physical realms of cancer care, revealing how chronic uncertainty, disrupted sense of control, and altered identity contribute to heightened distress. Therapeutically, addressing Damocles Syndrome involves not only managing the somatic aspects of cancer but also fostering emotional and existential support to help patients navigate their fear, develop adaptive coping strategies, and reconcile the precariousness of life with a sense of meaning and purpose.

The Psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome

The psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome can be understood through a complex interplay of unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, and existential anxieties, particularly in individuals facing life-threatening illness. At its core, Damocles Syndrome represents an internalized fear of impending doom, often symbolizing a deep, unconscious conflict related to mortality, control, and powerlessness. The central psychodynamic feature is the persistent awareness of vulnerability, where individuals feel as if they are constantly under threat, even if no immediate danger is present. This anxiety can be traced back to unconscious fears of annihilation, or the existential awareness of one’s finitude, which is often heightened in the face of cancer or other chronic illnesses.

By Rohit Walwaikar March 2025

We herewith invite you to register and become a member of the Global Psychiatric Association. The Association intends to represent and connect individual psychiatrists and mental health professionals from around the globe. We want to be non-bureaucratic, non-judgemental, kind and inclusive for all.

We finally want to support patients from around the globe.

There are multiple advantages for registered members:

I am proud to say that the second online congress of the Global Psychiatric Association was very successful. All
speakers deserve a great thank you for their excellent contributions to the congress. I do not want
to repeat the talks as the broschure with the full programme is still available on the website.
Thanks also to the excellent team of supporters from the Global Psychiatric Association. 66 people
registered to the zoom meeting. The conference was additionally live-streamed on youTube with
up to 79 online viewers. All discussions and the feedback were brilliant.
The videos of the talks are freely available on the youTube channel, Global Psychiatry Archives.
Please feel free to watch or download and invite others to subscribe to the channel 
 

 
Please let us know if you would like to give a lecture, want to organise a workshop or present a
poster at next year’s congress in October 2023. You are very welcome. 
 
All the best and thanks for your interest
  
Reiner Heun, Glasgow, UK, 31 October 2022

 A researcher at KoU and and one of founding member of Global Psychiatric Association has published two papers in two international journals about a new finding called ISIS syndrome. 

Darya Rostam Ahmed, who graduated from the Department of Clinical Psychology Faculty of Science and Health(FSCH) and currently works as an assistant at the Presidency of Koya University, is an active researcher working on a new psychological concept called ISIS Syndrome.

Darya published his first paper on ISIS syndrome entitled: Observation of Rare Psychosocial and Mental Health Symptoms in ISIS Psychiatric Patients: A Pilot Study Among ISIS affiliates is published in the Journal of the Global Psychiatry Archives. and his second paper entitled “A letter to the editor on the ISIS syndrome” in Middle East Current Psychiatry Journal indexed in Scopus published in Springer Nature

“I recently conducted research among ISIS psychiatric patients and published two articles in this area. I discovered an unusual psychosocial disorder known as ISIS syndrome, and we aim to conduct further studies on this finding and recognizing it as a new psychological concept among terrorist and radical groups particularly among ISIS affiliates” Darya said.

What is the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS Syndrome?

ISIS syndrome is a psychosocial condition that causes a variety of unusual mental and psychosocial symptoms, including 16 uncommon symptoms that are comorbid with other psychiatric disorders including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

https://globalpsychiatry.co.uk/article_18080.html

https://mecp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43045-022-00232-x

Hello Readers, 

I am delighted to invite you all to the 2nd conference of the Global Psychiatric Association. Through this blog i wish to bring to you what goes into the making of a psychiatrist. I have always thought about this more as an introspective process then, and now it’s time for retrospection. 

I recently got my resume reviewed by a certified resume review company. One of the striking things that they commented on was that despite being in the industry for the last few years, I haven’t had any managerial responsibility, and that I should focus on that. That made me go back to why some of my colleagues were pursuing MBA in their postgrad. Well keeping the degrees aside, one should really be competitive in acquiring managerial skills early in their career;as that is one of the ways you keep yourself abreast of others in this competitive world. 

What I have personally observed in the early heralding days, is the sheer amount of coordination that is required in putting up the conference. It’s a mammoth task to say the least. Requesting the speakers for sessions and symposia, arranging for sponsors, handpicking the grassroot staff, auxiliary staff, organising committee, the tech support, managing the listservs etc requires an orchestrated approach, the chief at the helm directing like “un chèf d’orchestre” with the aim of directing a melodious symphony with a perfect crescendo. 

It goes without saying, that one needs to choose his/her affiliations well. One needs to examine whether your goals, missions and virtues are aligned with the organisation you intend to work with. Upon doing that, one must ask what is it in them that they see themselves fit for the organisation. It is also imperative that they see a great future in furthering the professional goals in alignment with the progress of the organisation that they intend to work with. Lastly, one needs to grab the right opportunity when they’re

present around you and make the best out of it. I believe such opportunities to organise the conference are the ones one should always be up for it. Conferences are a great time for the candidates to network with other members of the fraternity, but being an organising member confers an even greater opportunity to network directly with the eminent speakers. It also provides an intellectual insight into their life, their life goals, helps the candidates find their path in life and solidify their decisions. 

I hope this conference help you pursue your life goals and makes you even more perseverant towards your professional goals. Cheers! 
– Rohit Walwaikar, MD, DNB

Hello Readers, 

As I was browsing through Hippocratic era literature in the bibliothèque last week,I came across this phrase in Latin. It is a Latin version of a Greek proverb which goes like this, “The full quotation, in Latin, is “Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, judicium difficile.” This can be rendered into English as “life is short, the art (craft/skill) long, opportunity fleeting, experiment treacherous, judgement difficult”. The aphorism quotes the first few lines of the Aphorismi by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. Some literati further explain that a piece of art lives longer than humanity, but the life of the creator is limited as humans die at a certain point. 

Through my experience at the World Network of Psychiatric Trainees, I learnt that budding psychiatrists should make strengthening their armamentorium their utmost priority. The art for the psychiatrist translates to clinical skills one learns during the training. As the saying goes,”Sweat more in training so that you bleed less in war”. It is crucial to understand that training needs of the trainees need to be paid due attention, especially in these unprecedented times. The Global Psychiatric Association (GPA) was conceived with the same motto in mind, so that trainee members should be well equipped with Clinical skills and knowledge to tackle their career related challenges. The world is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and is now under the threat of another pandemic i.e the monkeypox. The learning loss during the COVID pandemic was enormous, more so in the developing countries who were economically disadvantaged. The colleges were shut down, classes suspended, no regular lectures for about a year. I am of the strong opinion that this learning loss in the training years does have a negative impact. This is especially so in case of psychiatry, as our art (ars) is in the interview, along with behavioral observation during the interview, which can be best observed in face to face interview. 

Global Psychiatric Association pledges to stay committed to the training needs even in unprecedented times and more so wishes to give a platform for the young budding trainees to be represented for their talents. GPA stands true to its core virtues, with no bureautic roadblocks to representation and recognition. Because as the Greeks say “Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, judicium difficile” 

Viva GPA! 

• Rohit Walwaikar, MD, DNB

Hello Readers, 

Just a few days back, I happened to think about what makes psychiatrists different from other healthcare professionals. My curiosity instead is about how to better one’s psychotherapeutic practice, thus making psychiatry a respected profession. From my point of view, it’s all about how one pursues the training. Medical sciences are by their very nature diverse. Among more than 50 different subfields and specialties, one finds it mind-boggling to make sense of the science. To be utterly honest, Psychiatry is variegated, broad, and nebulous. The trainee needs to understand the underpinnings of psychiatry, especially the neurobiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, and need to approach it scientifically. 

An aspiring psychiatrist should at the very core, know how to integrate various learning methods and integrate it both horizontally and vertically. Horizontal integration in a curriculum means that, in a particular subject, sequential topics are integrated into one module. For example, when we learn about obsessive-compulsive disorder, we learn about pathophysiology, etiology, phenomenology, and management; we integrate them into one topic. Vertical integration on the other hand aims to break down the barriers between the basic and clinical sciences to aid the student to learn in a better-enhanced method. To explain vertical integration, in the case of Addictive behaviors comorbid with OCD secondary to Frontal lobe dysfunction, one should be able to reason out the symptom constellation from a neurobiological perspective. The trainee can do so only with sound knowledge of basic sciences. 

One of the senior faculty at my Alma Mater used to always say this and I can’t stress it enough ever since he said it, “A psychiatrist should be twice as good as a physician as psychiatrists deal with the most complex system of the body, The elusive mind; which has an influence on and is influenced by various other bodily systems”.

So, my fellow mental health professionals, The future of Psychiatry lies in our hands. Let us sharpen our skills and be strong-minded to change the course of the field towards a better end. Global Psychiatric Association strives in this direction with all the support from you. Viva! 

It has been an enlightening experience so far with Prof.Heun. I remember I was drawn towards building up the organisation from the first post he put up on LinkedIn a few months back. To my surprise, I was totally taken aback with the uncanny similarity in the vision which he had and the one i had in mind. He passionately lucidly described it and went on to explain how professional organisations which have the purpose of enhancing the talents of young researchers and students often fail to do so. This might be due to multiple reasons, most importantly high costs of means to acquire knowledge. He went on to explain how this organisation will be peer-centric and will be accessible to professionals and students alike. This idea very much resonated with me as I am a strong proponent of multidisciplinary collaboration. Such global collaboration is extremely important to further the scope of the sciences so that humanity as a race can progress to its fullest potential. I often tell this to my peers and juniors how crucial an able mentorship is. Now more than ever, after COVID pandemic with resultant learning loss, it has been ever more difficult. Hence it becomes all the more pertinent to have a well-studied professional network of guides, mentors, researchers and industry leaders. Global Psychiatric Association is an example of one such endeavour we put forward to you. At this juncture, I would like to mention Paul Minot,MD who vehemently voices out what is
Psychiatry and where it is headed. When you can check him on Spotify podcasts, many of you will agree with him. My friends at GPA also think that Psychiatry as a specialty might be sidetracking. There is an overly excessive focus on Biological Psychiatry with little focus on
other schools such as Psychodynamic Psychiatry. Let me tell you, once you read Psychodynamic Psychiatry, you will be magnetically more inclined to understand it deeper and practice it through the career. Global Psychiatric Association aptly aims to deliver Psychiatry in a holistic comprehensive manner; as it is a diverse field with a lot of depth to it. After all, the future of the field lies on us, budding psychiatrists and researchers. With this short introduction, I welcome you to the Global Psychiatric Association!
– Dr.Rohit Walwaikar