Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — According to a consultant in family and psychiatric medicine, the rate of depression among women in the Kingdom is twice as high as it is among men. Dr. Mohammad Al-Hamid said the rate of psychological disorders in Saudi Arabia is very high. Psychologists in Saudi Arabia will observe the International Health Day on Friday, April 7, calling for greater attention to and awareness on psychological disorders such as depression, sleep apnea and anxiety. "There needs to be medical interference for people suffering from depression, sleep apnea, anxiety and chronic worrying. Depression is a very common psychological illness. Patients of depression vary in ages. They struggle to complete the simplest of daily chores. Depression might negatively affect various areas of their lives," said Al-Hamid. He said depression could negatively affect the relationships of patients with family members and friends, as well as their productivity. Mahmoud Kusnawi , a family consultant and professor at Umm Al-Qura University, said mild depression is easily treatable once the causes of are identified. "However, in other cases depression is a much more serious condition and the patient needs professional help and a medical diagnosis. Depression is not just one psychological illness, but it has multiple symptoms. There is no specific cause for depression. In many cases it is triggered by the environment a person is in and genetic composition," said Kusnawi. He said patients of depression must seek medical help as in many cases doctors will prescribe anti-depressants for them. Psychologist Dr. Abu Bakr Banaemah said depression constitutes 20 percent of the psychological illnesses in Saudi society. "Anxiety constitutes 35 percent of the psychological illnesses and sleep apnea constitutes 40 percent. The greatest challenge in Saudi society with regard to psychological illnesses is a lack of awareness and the timidity of patients. Patients often do not seek professional help because of social stigma," said Banaemah.
