Geriatric Psychiatry Treatment in India

Ayaan Gupta, 78, is a retired...

Ayaan Gupta, 78, is a retired history professor who lost his wife of 50 years, Leela, to cancer two years ago. He lives alone in the family home, which feels increasingly empty. His daughter, Priya, noticed he had become withdrawn, stopped attending his book club, and neglected his beloved garden. He began expressing a profound, constant sense of worthlessness, saying things like 'my story is over' and that he was 'just waiting to join Leela.' He lost significant weight and had severe insomnia. His primary care physician, concerned about major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation, referred him to Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Rao recommended a combination of pharmacotherapy with a modern antidepressant suitable for his age and weekly psychotherapy focusing on grief and life transition. Ayaan was initially resistant, feeling therapy was an admission of failure. The first few sessions were quiet, but Dr. Rao's patient, non-judgmental approach built trust. They discussed Leela, his career, and his fears. The medication gradually lifted the heaviness, allowing him to engage in therapy. After six months, Ayaan's sleep and appetite improved. He joined a grief support group at the clinic and started volunteering at the local library, giving talks on Indian history. While the grief for Leela remains, it is no longer paralyzing. He told Priya, 'I realized my story isn't over. It's just a new, quieter chapter. And I think Leela would want me to read it.' His emotional journey moved from profound despair and a wish to die to a cautious re-engagement with life, finding purpose in legacy and memory.