Many who suffer from mental illness are hesitant to get help, due either to a lack of knowledge or to the stigma associated with the disease. Sometimes even families are scared to seek help from a doctor.

Dr Vishwanathan Balan, a 74 year-old retired professor of psychiatry, says this way of thinking is more prevalent among urban, educated people. "Rural people are more willing to talk about such issues. I have seen families in rural areas who are supportive of the patient."

Dr Balan says all mental illness is genetically caused. "It may or may not be triggered by some incident in the patient's life. Such illness is the same as any physical ailment that can be cured."

He says people have a misconception about psychiatric medication. "People need to get rid of their prejudice and see psychiatry as just another branch of medicine."

P K Syam Kumar is Dr Balan's patient and has no reservations about speaking of his illness schizo-affective disorder. Syam Kumar was brought to Dr Balan 16 years ago by his friend Valli Nachiar and her mother after his family abandoned him.

Over the years they worked together to make Syam Kumar better. He is now completely cured, has his own business and is married with two children; for him Dr Balan is a father figure.

"I still call him at odd hours to speak to him," he says. "Dr Balan helped me immensely. With his treatment and the support from my wife and mother-in-law I have become much better. Dr Balan has guided me all these years and I know that he is still there for me."

Dr Balan says, "I made Syam understand that he could tell me anything without fear of being criticised or ridiculed. I explained the problems he brought up, without brushing them aside as part of his illness.

After a few sessions, his confidence in me grew and he also became emotionally dependent on me. As this dependence was mutually acceptable, I became a 'father surrogate' for him."

As Syam Kumar slowly learned to function independently, he got 'weaned' from this emotional dependence. Dr Balan says, "One may be very professional and skilful. But only doctors who take personal interest in the patients can really help them."

Though Syam Kumar is still on pharmacotherapy (medicines) and psychotherapy, he can now function like a normal person. He says he channels his energy into things he likes to do. "I like reading the newspaper and keeping myself updated. I write to newspapers about relevant social issues."

Syam Kumar says that he wants people to be aware that there are ways to get better. "It is possible to be cured. I want to give mentally ill patients the assurance that they can get better."