Ziauddin University starts Dr Aijaz's memorial lecture series  

KARACHI: Ziauddin University had taken the initiative to start 'Dr Aijaz Fatima Memorial Lectures', titled 'Common Psychiatric Ailments', to pay tribute to the founder of Dr Ziauddin Hospital.

While sharing awareness on disorders and mental health illness during a lecture titled "Common Psychiatric Ailments", Dr Afzal Siddiqui, consultant psychiatrist, Camden Primary Care, part of Mental Health Network in London, says, "depression and mood fluctuations, which can be mild, moderate, or severe, are the most frequent disorders. Psychotic disorders can lead to suicide, decreased social engagement, and overthinking, all of which can alter a person's behaviour and lead to self-harm. There are many other diseases, such as eating disorders and addictions to substances like alcohol or cannabis, for which essential care therapies are offered in primary care." 

He further added, "there are still many people who refuse to admit that they have a mental illness, and in certain cultures, seeking care for their mental health and attempting to normalize experiences is still a major issue. Mental illness will afflict one out of every four persons. I believe earlier you seek help, better the outcomes."

Discussing the needs of perinatal mental health services, Dr Pia Ghosh, consultant perinatal Psychiatrist, Barnet Hospital & North West London Trust, said, "Perinatal mental illness affects 10-20 per cent of new mothers. I believe prevention is a better cure not just for you but for the child and for the future generation."

Explaining postnatal depression, which is faced by many parent's experiences after having a baby, Dr Ghosh said that it is essential to seek assistance as soon as possible if anyone thinks they might be depressed, as symptoms could last month or get worse and have a significant impact on patients, and their family. In severe depression, the risk of relapse is 26 per cent in those who continued medication and 68 per cent in those who stopped their medication. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone they could talk to and turn to for support are two things one can do to help them stay healthy. 

Earlier, Prof Dr Rubina Hussain shared a brief, unique history of her mother and founder of Dr Ziauddin Hospital, Dr Aijaz Fatima, with the audience.