Identity based characterisation of food has a very narrow perspective in our country. Vegetarianism is always associated with upper castes, especially the Brahmins. However, there are communities where the Brahmins are predominantly non vegetarians, take for instance the Bengali Brahmins who are non vegetarians. In fact, fish is so integral that it is worshipped and is used in weddings as a sign of holy exchange between the families of the bride and groom. Yet, so many people that I have come across are always shocked to discover this fact - how can a brahmin eat non veg? Sinister it seems!
Condemning anyone - vegetarian or non-vegetarian over their food choices only exhibits constricted perspective. Moral choices and personal choices are intertwined with each other, and it is nobody's business to point a finger at others' choice of food under the garb of morality. Food is integral to a lot of things - culture, identity, region etc apart from physical needs. And one cannot let go of all these associated things at one go. In fact one shouldn't.
@captainamerica hey, so as a medical practitioner, how would you diagnose bipolar disorder?
P.S. - I understand this is not the right thread, but can't help ask it here.
@captainamerica the answer from you that I was looking here was - "I don't know, as I am not a psychiatrist/psychologist." Thats it. Just because you have an MBBS degree doesn't mean that you would know how it can be diagnosed. Yes, obviously many sessions are needed, but also many tests are needed - which I am sure you aren't aware of. Mental illnesses aren't just diagnosed through lots of talking and opening up of subconscious thoughts! I hope in your practice in case you come across someone you feel needs mental health support, you would refer the person to the right expert instead of trying to know the person and exploring his/her personality.
Just concerned because as a practicing psychologist I have come across many MBBS degree holders diagnosing and treating people who need mental health support and in the process do more harm than good. Nothing against you, just trying to spread some awareness as this is very close to my heart.
@captainamerica good for you! you become a mental health professional by studying one module in your final ayear and through your capacity to answer a 20 marker question.
Would not like to comment any further on this. Thanks!
@captainamerica I mean that if I am facing heart issues I would go to a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon, not a gynaecologist. Now, a gynaecologist would have also studied about the heart and its working in the MBBS course, but I am sure he would take the right call and refer me to a cardiac specialist in case of a heart stroke, instead of taking offence - that I have also studied about heart and I can also treat and write 20 marker answers on heart. I hope I am right?
By the same logic, if a doctor comes across someone who needs mental health support don't you think he/she should refer the person to a psychiatrist or a psychologist for proper treatment and care? All I said was just because you have a MBBS degree you cannot (rather should not) diagnose a mental illness the same way I cannot prescribe medicines to someone with mental illness even though I have studied about it and know about it.
I did not even attack you personally, why are you being offended? Also, is it necessary to view everything from UPSC exam lens? I mean I was talking from real practice perspective, not from writing CSE mains answer ! There, I don't wish to spread any awareness (I mean from exam perspective), but if you are a real doctor then don't you think some good awareness on referral is needed so that people don't suffer unnecessarily? I am sure you would agree that when it comes to humans and treatment of diseases it is crucial that we go to experts and not generalists? I mean a GP would always always refer a patient to a specialist when it is beyond his/her capacity, no? Don't you do that as a GP yourself? I mean if you have a patient rushed in with a heart stroke - what would you do? Primary care and then refer right? You wouldn't perform a surgery, I mean I hope you wouldn't!
You had no facts in your argument to hurt me, in fact your sentences are poorly structured - so it is difficult to even understand what you are trying to say.
Please don't waste time by stretching this further.
P.S.- Apologies to other peeps for spamming, but mental healthcare is so poorly handled in our country that I couldn't stop myself from commenting.
