MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: Since the launch of PTI-led Azadi March and PAT-led Inquilab March, there is surge in the incidents of anxiety, mistrust, restlessness, depression and intolerance and more and more such cases are being reported in the health facilities catering needs of psychiatric illnesses.

This was stated by leading psychiatrist and member of American Psychiatric Association (APA) Dr Abad Ahmed while talking to Business Recorder here on Monday.

According to Dr Abad Ahmed, these marches are spreading uncertainty apart from spreading intolerance in the society. There are already severe burdens on people due to inflationary pressures.

He further said that children are worst affected of violent scenes being witnessed on TV channels, as it create negative trends among them. He added that psychiatric problems are on the rise due to prevailing situation. He said chronic psychiatric patients are also facing pressures that led to deterioration in their problems.

Dr Abad Ahmed said violence is the root cause of different ills prevailing in the society. He said: “We need calm and quite atmosphere for the uplift of the country and well-being of nation already oppressed due to host of reasons.” He said solution of present situation in Islamabad lies in communication and dialogue among all the parties concerned. He said need of the hour is all concerned parties must sit together and strive for amicable solution of present situation.

Dr Abad Ahmed also said political leaders must come out of their personal egos and think about the country and its people instead of striving for petty gains. Nevertheless, violence and path of confrontation led the countries towards harmful effects.

He said in a country like Pakistan, where there is already scarcity of resources and burden of heavy diseases, the need of the hour is to focus on preventive aspects so as to check the burden of diseases.