Schizophreniform Disorder Treatment in India

Aadya Roy is a 22-year-old final-year...

Aadya Roy is a 22-year-old final-year architecture student from a supportive family in Kolkata. A brilliant student, she was known for her creativity and focus. About four months ago, her family noticed a dramatic change. Aadya became convinced her professors were inserting secret, critical messages about her work into their lectures, messages only she could decipher. She began hearing a whispering voice that commented on her every move, calling her a 'fraud.' She stopped sleeping, spending nights sketching frantic, intricate patterns she believed were blueprints for a 'purification system' to cleanse the college of negative energy. Her academic work deteriorated, and she became isolated and paranoid. Her concerned parents took her to a psychiatrist, Dr. Mehta. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Mehta diagnosed Aadya with Schizophreniform Disorder, noting the symptoms had been present for more than one month but less than six. She recommended a combination of a low-dose atypical antipsychotic and weekly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions to address the delusions and paranoia, emphasizing early intervention was key to a better long-term outcome. The first two weeks on medication were difficult; Aadya felt sedated and struggled with restlessness. However, with dosage adjustments and the supportive CBT environment, the whispering voice began to fade after a month. The rigid, paranoid certainty about the secret messages softened, allowing her to question those thoughts. After three months of consistent treatment, Aadya's acute symptoms were in full remission. She re-enrolled in college with a reduced course load and academic accommodations. The emotional journey was profound: from the terror and isolation of her psychosis, through the frustration and fog of early treatment, to a cautious relief and immense gratitude. She now volunteers to raise mental health awareness at her university, channeling her experience into empathy for others.