Psychological disorder on the rise in affected
Psychological disorder on the rise in affected areas PESHAWAR: The existing turmoil in the tribal belt as well as in settled districts in the Frontier province owing to the constant unrest and reports about militant activities have developed innumerable psychological disorders among the people of the affected areas. Militancy and military operation in certain parts of the country are no doubt the most debated topic in the country, particularity in the Frontier province and Fata these days, stirring a sense of terror, scare, insecurity, uncertainty and so many other disorders among the common people. Uncertainty in Pakistan is affecting every sector and section of the society and the most obvious are the economic and political aspects, which are being observed in the daily life and being highlighted by the media. However, the psychological, mental and emotional condition of the common people is being ignored who have been engulfed by colossal problems, including price-hike, the worst law and order situation, power, food crisis, unemployment and poverty. ´The poor law and order situation, coupled with media-hype which often exaggerates minor things, has triggered a sense of fear among the people. Parents are reluctant to send their children to schools and colleges owing to security reasons and wives are usually worried about their husbands safety when they are out for work,´ Muhammad Nadeem, an employee of a private organisation, told The News. Khan, who sounded fed up with the current situation went on to say that the people of Bajaur Agency had been seeking shelter in Peshawar and other adjacent areas while the well-off were mulling shifting families to other peaceful parts of the country and abroad keeping in view the precarious security situation in parts of the country. Expressing concern over the role of media in the current situation, he said the electronic media was unnecessarily exaggerating the things and spreading panic among the people. “Though, situation is not normal and the country is passing through the worst-ever crisis of his history, not only economic and political but of its very survival, yet despite all these facts, the media should behave in a responsible manner while covering things as it badly affected the common people and lead to mental stress,” he said. Citing the example of Saturday’s media coverage that reported that around 200 militants had attacked the building of City Development & Municipal Department located in Regi Lalma, he said: “Let me tell you that all was just media hype as only 10 to 15 armed persons were there and that probably appeared to be a land dispute, which was exaggerated by media and it created unnecessary media hype.” Dr Altaf Khan Mahsud from the Psychiatry Department of Lady Reading Hospital said there were scores of factors, which led to mental stress and depression. “Poverty, unemployment, sense of insecurity due to bomb blasts, kidnapping for ransom, inflation, helplessness and other biological causes lead to depression and other psychological disorders,” he said. In order to pull the people out of the existing trauma, the doctor said media and government could play a positive role in this regard. He said the media should publish and broadcast filtered news to avoid creation of fear and uncertainty among the people. Dr Mahsud said the government should create employment opportunities for the youth so that they could be engaged in positive activities rather than becoming a tool for fuelling militancy. A banker Jamshed Khan said he had stopped watching news channels. “We just watch entertainment channels. We are already facing other problems and we don’t want to be further depressed by watching bloodshed and killings,” he said. Irfanullah, a student of intermediate level, said that they were totally fed up with the situation. ´Everyone is talking of suicide attacks, bomb blasts, bloodshed, Talibanistion and military operations. I appeal the government to have mercy on the people and take some concrete measures to rein in such happenings which have made life miserable for the people,´ he added. - 
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