World Mental Health Day: Need to remove stigma associated with mental illnesses emphasised

34% of the population is suffering from depression or feels stress: Doctor.


Sehrish Wasif October 11, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


There is a need to remove the stigma associated with mental illnesses. Mental illness does not imply that someone is mentally unstable.


Moreover, people experiencing any mental health issue should immediately consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

This was said by Dr Shahid Ali Khan, head of psychiatry department at NESCOM Hospital, while talking to The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

He said people only visit a doctor when their illness reaches an advanced stage. “Just like people visit a physician when they have flu, they should visit a psychiatrist when they feel they cannot cope with stress or depression,” he said.

“There is a misconception that psychiatric treatment is addictive; most drugs can be easily discontinued,” he added.

Dr Khan said no research has been conducted on mental health issues in the country. Research, however, indicates that a third of the people are suffering from depression or feels stress, 10% to 20% feel anxiety and 5% suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The issue is compounded by the fact that there is a shortage of mental health treatment facilities in Pakistan, especially in rural and far-flung areas, said Dr Khan.

Women are prone to stress and depression due to marital problems, while men suffer from depression due to financial problems and unsatisfactory work conditions, Dr Khan said. Teenagers and young adults are frequently frustrated and may suffer from inferiority complex if they cannot afford the latest gadgets or cars their friends have. They also feel insecure due to lack of employment opportunities, expensive education and fragile relationships, he added.

Dr Rizwan Taj, head of psychiatry department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), said the media is playing a “major” role in increasing stress and depression among people. “Housewives spend half the day watching TV plays that depict stressful situations.”

Breaking news every other hour also stresses people out and they feel insecure, he said. By airing positive stories on TV, the media can help decrease the incidence of mental diseases in the country, he added.

Dr Taj said 20% of his patients are teenagers. Lack of recreational activities like playgrounds and clubs adds to the stress, as they get no outlet to channel their excess energies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2012.

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