BANGALORE: A 32-year-old man from Bangalore quit his job as he felt that his employers were paying him too much money. This guilt of being 'overpaid' led him to depression - a condition psychiatrists term schizoaffective psychosis or chaotic thought process.

His condition has thrown light on an issue that a handful of the workforce is grappling with.

The man, who had eight years of experience, drew Rs 40,000 per month at the IT firm he worked at, even though experts say an individual with his experience should ideally draw Rs 60,000.

However, when he would get his salary, the man would out of sheer guilt return the amount to his bosses.

Dr Vinod Kulkarni, a senior consultant in neuropsychiatry , who treated the man, said stress triggers this condition in certain individuals.

"It is because of a dispute between unlimited ambitions and limited capabilities. It could be also because of certain biochemical changes that occur in the brain. Their discipline puts them in such a state of mind that even if they make a small mistake, they think they have committed an unpardonable sin and have to punish themselves for the consequences. They tend to develop an inferiority complex," said Dr Kulkarni.

While the man is receiving treatment, Dr Kulkarni says his is not an isolated case.

"A few weeks ago we had a bank manager who thought there were several others who were superior to him and felt they should be promoted instead of him," said Dr Kulkarni while speaking to Mirror.

The man is currently being counselled and also receiving cognitive behaviour therapy where he is made to see his merits and talent."We have already put him on anti-depressants," said Dr Kulkarni.