Tambaram has long been a place of healing. The iconic Tambaram Sanatorium, established in the early 20th century, became one of India’s most important centers for treating tuberculosis (TB)—a condition once feared, misunderstood, and heavily stigmatized.

While science and medicine have progressed, and TB is now treatable and curable, many patients still suffer in silence—not from the infection itself, but from its emotional aftermath.

The Psychological Burden of Tuberculosis

For someone diagnosed with TB, life often changes overnight. The journey involves:

• Lengthy treatment regimens (6 to 24 months)

• Side effects of strong medications

• Isolation due to infection control

• Loss of work or social support

• Fear of stigma, relapse, or death

This can lead to a range of emotional challenges:

• Depression – due to chronic fatigue, helplessness, or uncertainty

• Anxiety – about health, finances, or infecting loved ones

• Anger or irritability – at being socially isolated or misunderstood

• Social withdrawal – to avoid judgment or rejection

• Hopelessness or suicidal thoughts – especially in long-term or drug-resistant cases

When the Treatment Itself Affects the Mind

What many don’t realize is that anti-TB medications themselves can cause psychiatric side effects in some individuals.

⚠️ Common Mental Health Side Effects of Anti-TB Drugs:

• Isoniazid (INH)

  • Can cause irritability, mood swings, or depression

  • In rare cases, associated with psychosis or hallucinations, especially in high doses or without pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

• Cycloserine (used in drug-resistant TB)

  • Known to cause severe anxiety, panic, confusion, or psychotic symptoms

• Levofloxacin and Ethambutol

  • May contribute to insomnia, agitation, or mood instability in some patients

• Corticosteroids (sometimes prescribed for TB meningitis or other complications)

  • Can trigger mood elevation (mania), psychosis, or aggression

These side effects are often misinterpreted as “emotional weakness” or “personality changes,” when in fact, they are neurological effects of medication and require proper psychiatric evaluation and support.

Tambaram’s Legacy – And Its Future in Holistic TB Recovery

Tambaram has been a hub for TB treatment for nearly a century. And today, it has the opportunity to become a model for whole-person care—where mental health is recognized as essential to full recovery.

How Psychiatric Support Helps TB Patients and Survivors

• Managing depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and emotional trauma

• Monitoring and addressing drug-induced psychiatric symptoms

• Supporting treatment adherence and preventing dropout

• Offering family counselling and psychoeducation

• Helping with reintegration into daily life post-recovery

From Sanatorium to Sanctuary – Mental Health Support in Tambaram

At Apollo Clinic, East Tambaram, I offer psychiatric services for individuals recovering from chronic illnesses like tuberculosis, including those experiencing emotional distress or psychiatric side effects from treatment.

Support is always confidential, evidence-based, and stigma-free—whether it’s for the patient or their caregivers.

🧠 Mental Health Support for TB Recovery, Medication Side Effects & Emotional Well-being
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS, New Delhi)
Psychiatrist | Chronic Illness Recovery | Depression | Psychosis | Anxiety
📍 Apollo Clinic, 3, Bharathamadha Street, Opp. to MCC Campus, East Tambaram, Chennai – 600059
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 8595155808