Bhasme realised it was interesting fodder for a book. His latest, a psychological story, speaks of a mother and son, both suffering from the condition. They believe the father is an impostor. Is he? Bhasme says, read the book. He recalls a visit to Thane Mental Hospital, one of the largest institutions for the mentally ill in Mumbai, where he met a man whose wife suffered from capgras. She doubted whether he was the husband. "She was moved to the asylum and put in a straitjacket. The husband hated it, and brought her back home. But she had forgotten where she lived, insisting the home wasn't hers; she suspected they had brought her to a strange place to murder her. "The family covered all the mirrors in the house, or else she would have thought that she was a lookalike of herself."

Bhasme says As Death Stared Back is fiction, but the objective behind writing the book, is to start a discussion on mental health conditions, including the rare ones. And we need to question the facilities that governments and society are allocating for those affected. "It's so under reported in India, that figures don't exist. Most of the mental health facilities I visited were understaffed and not well maintained." But Bhasme continues to be positive. He narrates the example of a patient he met who would listen to a note of music on his phone, to bring him back to reality ever time he felt like a delusion was getting the better of him. "I believe that if good care is given and the correct tools are used, disease of any kind can be controlled."

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates