Pakistan is in the same boat as many other developing countries regarding mental health, owing to its low priority. But do you ever think why is it so? What are the actual causes of psychological problems in Pakistan? Well, there is not a single factor rather so many which deteriorate the mental health conditions.
Mental illness refers to psychological problems that affect thinking, mood, and behavior. There are times when people experience stress and grief, but the symptoms last longer than they should with mental health.
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Pakistani Culture and Mental Health
In Pakistani culture, mental illness is believed to be due to supernatural influences. So, reaching out to spiritual healers is a common approach, especially in rural areas where people overwhelmingly believe in black magic and the evil eye.
There are many myths regarding mental illness. People with psychosis are shunned as violent. Secondly, it is thought that mental disorders are contagious, which means that the evil spirits of the patients can afflict people who interact with them. Thirdly, many people feel that visiting shrines is the best way to recover from this illness.
Mental Health Statistics in Pakistan
Mental health in Pakistan is the most neglected field. More than 14 million people suffer from mild to moderate mental illness, most of which are women. There are only four major mental healthcare facilities for the whole population. Because of these low statistics, there is a rise in the cases of mentally ill patients. According to WHO, there are only 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 residents in Pakistan, one of the lowest levels worldwide.
Causes of Psychological Problems in Pakistan
There is not only one cause for mental disorders. Several factors contribute to risk for psychological issues, such as:
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is one of the current causes of psychological problems in Pakistan. Women are often considered as “public property” and are exploited. Unhealthful and unsafe environments in Pakistan are widespread, encouraging men to view fragile women as an easy target. How can they be mentally healthy when being harassed, whether it’s an institute, a shopping mall, or a workplace?
Unemployment
Unemployment is one of those causes of psychological problems in Pakistan that can not be neglected. Due to Pakistan’s 60% illiteracy rate, the majority face a challenging task to meet both ends. The job market has become so complex that the 40% population that is even literate either do not find a job or get paid so little to fulfill their financial needs, which makes them stressed or burnt out.
If we look at Pakistani youth, we realize that unemployment is not causing a psychological disorder in adults but in youth also. They are asked for experience, but how to bring many years of work experience when they are fresh grads. Even if they are hired by some companies, the grunt work and how they are treated as a low-level employee make them mentally sick.
Pandemic In The Form of COVID-19
Apart from ruining the physical health of people, COVID-19 has also destroyed them emotionally and mentally. Many people have lost their jobs. They see their relatives dying in miserable conditions and much more. No matter how hard people try to control their thoughts, the truth is, they cannot stop their minds from thinking fixed thoughts, stressing them out further.
Uncertainty element combined with Covid-19 threat is making things worse. While people can take some extra precautions to keep themselves safe from physical damage, sadly, most people don’t think about their mental well-being, causing it to worsen further.
Experiencing Discrimination
Certain circumstances give men an unfair advantage over women. Several private and public businesses have unofficial hiring restrictions for women since it is widely assumed that they will either get married and leave or take maternity leave. Due to this discrimination, women are not only deprived of many opportunities but also become psychologically ill.
The major problem is girls are considered as somebody’s possession, whereas males are considered an asset to parents’ well-being. As a result, boys are well-educated, well-fed, and given priority. While women are usually the last ones to eat in most households and poorer families, they may not receive enough food to fill their stomachs in many cases. This discrimination badly impacts their mental well-being.
Losing A Loved one
The death of a closed one is always tricky. Your reactions are influenced either by the relationship you have with the person who died or the circumstances of death, especially when it is accidental or sudden. People who already have a psychological problem may find their condition deteriorated after the death of a close one. Otherwise, those who are mentally well can develop a mental illness as a result.
Child Labor
The low socio-economic condition of Pakistani families is one of the primary reasons that push the children to work. Many times, they are not even paid. Children involved in labor-related works do not find an opportunity to develop psycho-social health. Child labor causes many physical hazards to a child’s health, but the most deteriorating effect is psychological.
Poor Academic Achievement
In Pakistani society, parents choose the career of their child. Due to parental pressure, they opt for the subjects their parents decide besides neglecting their dreams. Because of no taste in the opted subjects, they couldn’t perform well in their studies. They entered the entrance level test then, couldn’t clear it, and went into depression as they did not know what to do with their career further.
Genes and Your Family History
Sometimes, mental illnesses run in families, which means having an illness in the family may give you an increased chance of developing one yourself. Susceptibility is passed to families through genes. Many Psychological problems are linked with abnormalities in several genes rather than just one or a few. How the genes interact with the environment is also unique for every individual. That’s the reason that an individual inherits a susceptibility to a mental illness and does not necessarily develop the illness.
Use of Drugs
Some people in a bad position feel like drugs are their ultimate relief. Usage of drugs by youth is increasing. They believe it is a cheap way to alleviate suffering. Nevertheless, they are unaware that this practice is causing them a long-term psychological issue rather than short-term relief.
Causes of Psychological Issues in Mommies-TO-Be
Just after getting married, a girl starts getting questioned, “kb suna are ho khushabri” by anyone and everyone in her circle. Finally, when she gets pregnant, hormonal changes in her body cause mood swings, irritability, and restlessness. Before preparing herself to deliver a baby, she worries about the gender of the baby. She worries if they are born with any disability. And she worries about the upbringing of the baby she is just going to give birth to. She is just going through so much.
Psychological Problems in Pakistani Society and Their Solutions
Individuals with mental issues often resist seeking medical treatment and deny that they have a problem. So, the first step in treating psychological conditions is to recognize that the problem exists. Then comes the regular medical care, which allows the doctor to immediately evaluate the signs and risks for developing mental disorders.
You might be thinking about how to get rid of psychological problems? Well, through proper treatment. Treatment often involves psychotherapy to work on thought processes, skill development, and behaviors. Initial hospitalization may be required if you have coexisting medical conditions, severe disorders, and serious complications. Medications can be helpful for some personality disorders. A significant improvement would occur with proper treatment.
Common Treatments for Psychological Issues
Common treatments for psychological disorders are:
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Anti-psychotics to treat altered perceptions and disordered thought patterns
- Antidepressants to improve moods
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy to develop understanding and support
- Individual therapy
- Mood-stabilizing medications
- Talk therapy
- Support groups
- Psycho-dynamic therapy to work on understanding and discovering past issues, and their relationship with current behaviors and thoughts
Psychological problems are serious issues. Do not take them easy, and don’t be reluctant to reveal that you have any mental disorder. If you face any of the symptoms related to mental illness, consult a psychiatrist via Marham.pk. and treat yourself at the earliest!
FAQs
1- Can an iron deficiency cause psychological problems?
Absolutely! It causes an increased risk of psychological problems, including mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental disorders.
2- What is the psychological problem?
Well, a psychological problem is also known as a mental disorder. Mental disorders are patterns of psychological or behavioral symptoms that impact many areas of life.
4- What do psychological problems mean?
The psychological problem means any abnormalities of your mind that cause persistent behavior patterns which affect your life and day-to-day functions.
5- How to tell if you have psychological problems?
If you experience anxiety, irritability, social withdrawal, changes in your mood, sleeping, and eating pattern, it means you are having a psychological problem.
6- Is stuttering a psychological problem?
Yes, it can be a psychological problem as some individuals start to stutter out of fear.
7- Is fear a psychological problem?
Fear is a symptom of mental conditions such as social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
8- What are the social-psychological problems of youth in Pakistan?
Bullying, child labor, child marriages, drug addiction are some of the social-psychological problems of youth in Pakistan.
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