Sense of insecurity: PIMS reports high incidence of depression, anxiety

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Over two-thirds of the patients visiting Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) with psychological disorders are diagnosed with depression and anxiety, said Dr Rizwan Taj, the hospital’s psychiatry department, on Tuesday. Talking to Daily Times, Dr Taj said the recent terror strikes in the capital city had led to high incidence of depression and anxiety. He said the PIMS received and treated patients with acute mental illness like schizophrenia and those with initial stages of anxiety and depression. He said human killings in bomb blasts and subsequent discussions on them caused anxiety and depression among sensitive people. The psychiatrist said abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, tightness or pain in chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, frequent urination, and shaking with persistent or severe fear or worry in situations where most people wouldn’t feel threatened were the anxiety’s common symptoms. He said the anxiety’s psychological symptoms included insomnia, uneasiness, tiredness, irritability, poor concentration, detachment from your surroundings etc. Dr Taj said unlike normal people, depression sufferers lost interest in or the ability to enjoy life. He said exercise was a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. He also said meditation or religious activities could reduce depression and anxiety. He advised people to immediately consult psychiatrists if depression and anxiety were not controlled by exercise and religious activities. He said depression and anxiety were curable up to 90 percent accuracy.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg11_6