Mental Health Day: Experts discuss taboos related to disorders

LAHORE: World over the mental health day is observed on October 10 with the objective of raising awareness on relevant issues, but people in Pakistan struggle with taboos and misconceptions associated with mental health. This was said by experts during an event in the city on Sunday.

They added that epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and depression are the most prevailing mental health issues. “A huge stigma is associated with epilepsy, while the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are taken as a general ageing process and not diagnosed accurately,” Dr Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, a seasoned psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry, said while speaking at the event. “Similarly, there is a misconception that a person can get dependent on medication for life if treatment for depression is started.”

He added these were the reasons patients refrain from seeking proper treatment for brain-related disorders as they think they would not be able to lead a normal life.

Prevalent diseases

“Epilepsy is among the second most common neurological conditions seen by neurologists,” Dr Muhammad Iqbal said.

Dr Shahid Mustafa, senior neurologist at Aga Khan University Hospital in Lahore, said it affects 50 million people worldwide, 5 million of whom fall unconscious more than once in a month.

The doctors suggested epilepsy can be managed by a long-term antiepileptic drug therapy. However, the medication must be selected on the basis of seizure type and tolerability.

Shahid said 40,000 people in Pakistan were living with the disease in 2005, but the number is said to increase to 80,000 by 2030.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2016.