The class began for final-year medical students; as previously notified to them, I called the student who was assigned a five-minute presentation on the topic. As the student initiated the session and concluded enthusiastically, I was stunned by the student’s ability to conceptualise the topic, the presenting skills & grasp the section of the presentation. […]
Volume 16 (2026)
Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Written Communication Skills: A Psychiatric Perspective
Communication is not merely the transmission of information but an observable expression of internal mental states, shaped by affect, cognition, and interpersonal dynamics. For undergraduate students, developing communication skills is fundamental not only for academic functioning but also for cultivating insight into self and others, an essential component of Psychiatry. Verbal communication encompasses spoken language […]
Empathy: The Most Powerful “Prescription” in Psychiatry
A patient enters the OPD quietly. They avoid eye contact, sit at the edge of the chair, and answer every question with a hesitant “yes” or “no.” As postgraduate residents, many of us initially focus on symptom checklists and diagnostic criteria. “Sleep?” “Appetite?” “Suicidal thoughts?” The interview moves on. The checklist is completed. But the […]
Archiving of the Documents Related to Psychiatry and Psychiatry Education in India
The history of Psychiatry is rich in the Indian Subcontinent. Numerous records point out the fact that Psychiatry held an important position in the medical system practised in India. A rich trail of documents exists charting out the development of psychiatry and psychiatry education in India. But are those documents being preserved for posterity? With […]
The High of Yellow
This evocative piece pays homage to the legacy of Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch Post-Impressionist whose dramatic brushwork and vibrant palette laid the foundation for modern art. While his documented journey with Bipolar Disorder profoundly shaped his perspective, his ability to translate intense emotional depth into timeless visuals remains a beacon of inspiration. Dr Rajeev […]
Trivia Time
MINDS Editorial Team
From Mania to Meaning: Lessons from a Patient’s Recovery by Dr. Simran Sandhu
During the early months of my residency, I encountered a patient whose journey has stayed with me ever since. She arrived at the emergency department in a state of heightened activity: singing, dancing, and radiating an infectious energy. For a fleeting moment, her exuberance felt uplifting. Yet, this was not joy in its truest sense; […]
An Unquiet Mind: Book Review by Dr. Sneha Gupta
Kay Redfield Jamison’s An Unquiet Mind is one of those rare books that feels both professionally important and deeply personal. Jamison brings to the memoir an unusual perspective, being a distinguished academic psychologist, but also someone who has lived experiences of manic-depressive illness herself. That double perspective gives the book its real strength. The poignant […]
Portrait: Vincent Van Gogh by Dr. Rajeev Jain
Dr. Rajeev JainSenior Consultant PsychiatristSagar, Madhya Pradesh