Mental health professionals from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and the community highlighted the importance of mental health to overall physical health during a presentation Sunday as part of the medical college's recognition of World Mental Health Day.
"The occasion is a welcome opportunity to focus on the role of mental health as a crucial component of overall health and well being," said Javaid Sheikh, MD, interim dean of WCMC-Q. "As educators of tomorrow's physicians, we understand the need to integrate mental health care into primary care as a way to improve the health of people around the world."
"Mental health disorders occur at all stages of life and in all cultures," said Ziad Kronfol, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at WCMC-Q. "Depression, in particular, is a leading cause of disability worldwide," said Dr. Kronfol, who discussed the relationship between depression and physical health. "Research studies have shown that depression is a common complication of other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or kidney disease," said Kronfol.
Treating co-existing depression can help improve a person's overall medical condition and quality of life, added Kronfol.
In the past several decades, significant progress has been made in developing treatment for mental disorders. New medications successfully treat a variety of conditions, notably, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders; and there has been great progress in psychotherapeutic treatments, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, according to Kronfol.
"By increasing awareness of the disorder and the available treatments, we can reduce much unnecessary suffering around the world," said Kronfol.
Anxiety and its effect on performance was discussed by Patti Collins, a licensed professional counselor with expertise in biofeedback therapy. "Anxiety affects our whole being and has very real physical symptoms," said Collins. "We all become anxious from time to time. It becomes a problem when it interferes with life in the absence of a real threat or goes on too long after the danger has past."