Blatant symptoms of mental health disorders in some of the family members in Burari were missed; had it not been so, the tragic end may have been avoided
Spiritualism/religion makes a deadly cocktail with many things. Politics is one of them, so is mental illness.
Even as mystery surrounds the deaths of eleven members of one family who were found hanging at their residence in Burari, North Delhi, the unmistakeable footprint of a mental illness – perhaps undiagnosed – is the standout feature of the tragic story. Whether it was limited to one person who was hallucinating about his dead father or to more members of the family is, however, a question that may not ever be answered.
There are many historical precedents of such mass suicides often due to persuasion of a leader or preacher who is held in high esteem/faith by his followers. As diary notes indicate that Lalit, the youngest son of family matriarch, Narayani Bhatia (77) had been writing those notes on someone’s advice/direction – possibly his father who passed away 10 years back.
Increased religiosity is often one of the main reasons which leads one to believe in superstitions and supernatural powers leading to many mental health conditions. Obsession followed by compulsive behaviours leads to depression and inability to cope with society at large. Loneliness and social withdrawal follows. Hallucination and paranoia (as evident in Lalit Bhatia’s case) gradually become so deep rooted that they fail to see reality of life and often become hardened in their beliefs.
Lalit’s also seems to be a classical case of schizophrenia. The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) of the United States defines schizophrenia as “a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.” Many of them are highly professional, skilled people.
According to NIMH, the schizophrenia symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Thought disorders (unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking)
- Movement disorders (agitated body movements)
Such disorders also often run in families. personal, socio-economic and familial problems drive them to follow the leader . occasional coincidental positive outcomes lead others to follow
From whatever reports have so far emerged, Lalit definitely ticked the first three boxes.
Such disorders also often run in families – there is something called a shared psychotic disorder. A person leaving in close contact with another who is delusional, often starts believing in those delusions.
Personal, socio-economic and familial problems drive them to follow the leader of the family/group. Persistent narration of events/rituals and occasional coincidental positive outcomes lead others to follow the preacher and they start to believe that a new dawn or perfect life will be achieved by following the orders.
In case of the Burari family, that coincidental positive, police probe now suggests could have been the engagement of Priyanka – a mangalik – who was facing difficulties in finding a suitable match. Priyanka, who worked in a Noida company and also wrote down in the notebook what Lalit’s dead father conveyed to the family through his younger son had gotten engaged a fortnight back. It is possible that the hanging was a “thanksgiving” exercise, an ultimate act of submission that the family had hoped would not be carried through as the object of that submission would prevent the final end.
Levels of education of the family/group in such mass suicides is often not enough to overcome the beliefs as mystic delirium created by the preacher leads to self destruction. Unwilling or reluctant family members (younger members in this case) are often forced to kill themselves or are murdered by the volunteers. Emotional overtures which are very difficult to ignore have also been cited in many such cases.
While the criminal aspect if any in the Burari incident is something police will have to investigate, the incident once again highlights the poor awareness about mental health disorders and the high unmet need for mental health services. Mental health disorders are rising rapidly in all low socioeconomic nations like India and a recent WHO report emphasised on the need of mental health services to be included in the Universal Health Coverage plans of all countries.
Increasing amount of competition in a developing country like India and stressors associated with such competitions are on the rise and so are mental health problems. Recognising mental health problems early and reaching for help from healthcare professionals is essential and role of society in treating them as another disease is crucial.
