Lost Rs 80 Lakh, Still Trading: Addiction Pushes Bengaluru Youth To NIMHANS

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 14:35 IST

Specialists observed that he was unable to detach from market activity and was obsessively tracking price movements despite deteriorating mental stability.

He was interested in stock trading. He used to watch multiple videos on them and read a lot as well on his phone. Family thought this was alright. Since, investing and trading in stocks is a common thing and also a serious profession they didn’t mind much.

Until later, when they observed that he became completely consumed by it. He was just 25 years old. He lost sleep, his mood depended on how the stock market performed at that point of time. Then came the major financial blow and the family decided, its time to see the doctor.

Financial Shock, Psychological Impact

A sudden downturn reportedly wiped out a significant portion of his investments, about 80 lakh rupees. Unable to cope with the losses, the young trader’s behaviour became increasingly erratic. He withdrew from family interactions, displayed emotional instability and remained fixated on checking stock prices repeatedly, even during visible distress.

Alarmed by his condition, his family admitted him to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.

Doctors diagnosed him with extreme financial stress-induced psychosis. They observed that he was unable to detach from market activity and was obsessively tracking price movements despite deteriorating mental stability.

A Growing Pattern Among Young Traders

Mental health experts say such cases are becoming more frequent as access to high-risk financial instruments expands among young Indians.

Doctor who treated him at NIMHAS said, “The thrill of quick money in stocks and crypto can become addictive, much like gambling. When losses happen, the psychological crash can be severe."

He further explained that constant exposure to market volatility, easy-to-use trading platforms and social media narratives around quick profits can amplify emotional highs and lows. For some individuals, financial performance begins to influence self-worth.

Treatment and Recovery

At NIMHANS, the youth underwent psychiatric evaluation, counselling and medication. After several weeks of structured treatment, doctors said he stabilised and has now returned to a normal mental state. But the financial blow that he had to endure because of stock trading is his next big challenge. Luckily, his family has stayed strong with him and are helping him with everything he needs.

Experts urge families to watch for warning signs such as obsessive stock tracking, social withdrawal, irritability linked to gains and losses and disrupted sleep patterns.

While investing carries inherent financial risk, doctors caution that emotional resilience must remain stronger than market volatility. Because when financial losses trigger psychological instability, the consequences extend far beyond numbers on a screen.

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