FUJAIRAH // A psychiatric centre in Fujairah Hospital has treated 350 patients in the six months it has been open, with depression and anxiety the most common ailments.
Dr Najdat Khallouf, a psychiatrist at the hospital, said 70 per cent of these patients could be cured with ongoing treatment.“Mood disorders come next, along with personality disorders and substance abuse. These are mainly what we deal with here.”
The Syrian joined the hospital’s team six months ago, marking the first time in almost 20 years a psychiatrist had worked in the emirate.
Previously, residents travelled to Khorfakkan Hospital for treatment but can now find the same help much closer.
“I recently joined Fujairah Hospital and the psychiatry clinic was reopened after almost 20 years of absence,” Dr Khallouf said.
“People started to come here looking for treatment and, right know, I am dealing with more than 300 patients.”
He noted mental disorders could affect a victim’s relationships with others, their education and their work performance.
“Mental illness is considered a major reason for disability,” Dr Khallouf said. “It prevents the patients from fulfilling their job duties and they become jobless.
“For example, a man with social phobia can’t work as a lecturer. Therefore we do an assessment for each and every one before they are accepted in a new job. It also affects their relationship with others and their education process.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in four people suffer from some kind of mental illness. While the degree of illness varies all patients should undergo a specific treatment.
In this region, the idea that mental problems should be treated is relatively new. Such disorders still hold stigmas, shame and discrimination that hinders those seeking help.
“There are definitely more patients out there, but the negative image of mental illness and the belief that mental health medicines could cause addiction is obviously affecting the way people deal with it,” Dr Khallouf said.
Most cases of mental disorder, he said, could be cured with medication and therapy sessions. Others needed to be treated for life.
“Insight therapy and relaxation is part of the mental-health treatment that we provide,” Dr Khallouf said. “For cases that require admission, we transfer them to Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidallah Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah.
“We also work on spreading awareness among all the community members through various sessions in which we clarify the concept of mental illness and how to detect it, plus ways of treatment. We encourage families in supporting and understanding the illness.”
rhaza@thenational.ae
