New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Doctors in a Delhi hospital implanted a pacemaker in the brain of a woman suffering from a psychiatric disorder – probably performing the unusual surgery for the first time in Asia.
The pacemaker implant in the brain for the 48-year-old woman suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was performed by doctors in Vimhans hospital here.
‘The 48-year-old patient from New Delhi who suffered from the disease for 21 years became the first OCD patient who has been implanted a brain pacemaker,’ hospital officials said.
‘The patient had an obsession of being contaminated by drain water, doubts that she may be dirty, and performed elaborate rituals while cleaning herself and while cooking. She preferred to stay immobile when her family were away, not even going to toilet as she feared contamination,’ he added.
According to doctors, one to three percent of the world’s population suffers from OCD. In India, OCD is one of the common psychiatric disorder. However, the awareness about the disease, symptoms and treatment options is extremely low. Since patients feel embarrassed about the disease, they refuse to acknowledge it.
