KARACHI, Oct 12: Increasing number of drug addicts and rising suicide rate show that the prevalence in the country of mental disorders is on the rise, said Prof Haroon Ahmed at a seminar held on Sunday. The event was held in connection with the World Mental Health Day.

The professor pointed out that as compared to last year the number of suicides had jumped up by 22 per cent this year. In the developing countries the prevalence of mental illnesses was about 10 per cent.

About one per cent of children and adolescents suffered from epilepsy and between 1 and 2 per cent were mentally retarded, said Prof Ahmed. “In absolute terms even one and two per cent of our population works out to a considerable figure.”

The professor said medical students were not taught about certain sexual disorders — known in Urdu as “poshidaa amraaz”. The presence in a person of these problems can lead to a lot of tension and stress.

Dr S. Mubin Akhtar talked at length about common mental problems, including phobic anxiety, obsessive compulsive illness, depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy and sexual disorders. Most of these ailments might be treated with anti-depressants, anti-convulsants and other medicines. Other methods like supportive and cognitive psychotherapy could also be employed.

On the occasion a special shield was presented to Prof Zaki Hasan for his services in the field of mental health.