Thane man kills family and commits suicide! Can you spot a psychopath if you meet one?

Understanding what mental health issues are and how to recognise the symptoms can help thwart such incidents.

Hasan Anwar Warekar, a 35-year-old man from Thane, committed a heinous crime by killing 14 family members by slitting their throats. According to neighbours, he was very religious and shy. Although he tried killing his family earlier too, he was never taken as a serious threat. Maybe if the family had paid heed, the 14 lives could have been saved! Well, what most people are wondering is what made this man commit such gruesome crime? How can one realise that a neighbour or a family member is up to something bad? What are the early signs and symptoms that indicate that a person is suffering from a mental illness? Should you worry about it? Here s what psychiatrists have to say.

According to Dr Kesri Chavda, Psychiatrist and Consultant at Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai, It could be a sign of pre-psychotic behaviour, which is not seen in normal individuals and is very rare. Also the fact that the person tried to commit the same crime a few years ago indicates that he was suffering from a mental illness . Click here to know about what makes someone a psychopath.

This does not seem like normal behaviour and going by history, it is delusional in nature. In most cases, people do not pay attention to altered behaviour. However, in this case, the person had a history of mental illness and was found to be overly religious. Based on the behaviour of the person as reported by the family, the person could be a psychopath. In such cases, the condition is pre-meditated, which means it is not due to a sudden urge. As the person seems to be normal in behaviour, minus few instances or aggression and depression, the condition often goes undiagnosed, explains Dr Parul Tank, Consultant Psychiatrist, Nimai healthcare and Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.

How to know that a close family member or friend is suffering from psychotic behaviour?

Dr Kesri Chavda says that the key symptoms that you should look out for in a person who seems mentally unstable, paranoid or psychotic are

• The person talks to himself when alone, and mostly speaks about death or adverse actions like suicide or killing.
• Is overly suspicious about other people or even himself.
• Exhibits tremendous change in behaviour within a short span of time.
• If the person has been complaining about lack of sleep or insomnia, which is quite common but is often ignored as a sign of stress or fatigue.
• Often misinterprets what people are trying to say or explain.
• Frequently thinks about strange ideas like black magic or odd beliefs.
• If the person has been hearing voices or experiences hallucinations.

What should you do when you suspect mental illness?

The first step after you recognise a person with psychotic symptoms is to visit a mental health counsellor. Although it won't be pleasant for the person, but if left untreated, the condition might worsen, leading to suicidal or maniac tendencies. Here's what research has to say about a psychopath.

Dr Parul suggests, Since no blood test can detect a mental issue, one should consult a psychiatrist and not a Unani or Ayurvedic practitioner, which most people think might help them deal with the condition. Maulvis or babas is also a strict no-no, who claim to have solution for any mental health condition! The lack of proper awareness that a mental health condition can be effectively treated if diagnosed at the right time by mental health expert is one of the key reasons for the rising cases of mental issues.

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