Sibling rivalry, obsession may lead to crimes: Psychiatrists

Kolhapur: The shocking death of a teenage girl after being assaulted by her elder brother, who did not approve of her dressing style, has caused ripples in the city. Obsessive personality and sibling rivalry may lead to such crimes, psychiatrists and experts said.
On Monday night, a youth brutally assaulted his 17-year-old sister objecting to her wearing jeans and T-shirts to college and chatting with boys.The girl later succumbed to the injuries.
City psychiatrists said people with obsessive type of personality have a tendency of doubting the family members and become suspicious of everyone's character. They may take such an extreme step, they said. Experts said parents must ensure that siblings do not have such rivalry and if they find such rivalry developing, they should immediately find a solution.
Psychiatrist Sandesh Patil said, "There is a psychological disorder which we term as obsessive type of personality. People with this type of personality keep on thinking only one aspect of the incident and keep on repeating the things."
Patil said that when people with such personality develop a thinking that boy talking with girls is bad, they will continuously think in those lines and start doubting even their family members. They may become violent if the family members do not listen to them. They become less social and escape into their own world.
"This kind of psychological disorder may develop when there is sibling rivalry in the family. It is the responsibility of the parents to take equal care of the children. If one sibling is good at studies or sports, then the parents should not point it out to the other child," he said.
Experts said that parents must watch out for change in behaviour pattern of their children. They must take immediate steps to reduce any changes due to rivalry, even take the help of experts.
Psychiatrist Padmaraj Patil said, "Whenever the family members come across such kind of disorder among children, they must consult psychiatrist to avoid further damage. Parents must not compare among the siblings and should ensure that they treat children equally. This is the best way to tackle the disorder and avoid raising of any kind of problem in the family."
EXPERTS SAY
Avoid comparison among children
Each child must be given tasks as per capability
Should not suppress the child's resentment or angry feelings
If differences occur, let them settle the matter on their own