The specialist noted that cases can be quite diverse.
“An example can be a 19-year-old girl who was forced to enroll in university and choose a major based on her parents' wishes. She couldn't cope with the expectations and decided that this was not her choice, which led to two suicide attempts. There are also other patients whose children go abroad, leaving them in the care of neighbors who are unwilling to take care of them. As a result, such patients are left without proper care and nutrition,” Yulia Ulitina said.
She also emphasized that the symptoms of disorders can vary: from headaches and cardiovascular issues to tingling, chills throughout the body, and a lump in the throat, as well as sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and constant anxiety.
In addition, Ulitina discussed the problem of treatment interruption among patients with mental disorders.
Also see In Kyrgyzstan, 11 percent of the population suffers from mental disorders
“Unfortunately, many patients only take medication for a month or two after being discharged, and then stop treatment. They question why they should continue if they feel better. However, abruptly stopping the medications can lead to withdrawal syndrome. Initially, the patient feels good, but as the concentration of the medication in the blood decreases, the levels of serotonin and endorphins change, and the body returns to its previous painful state, which manifests as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and decreased appetite. In some cases, symptoms can even worsen,” she explained.
According to Health Minister Erkin Checheybaev, 11 percent of the population in Kyrgyzstan suffers from mental disorders. For the first time in a long while, a national mental health strategy is being developed in the country.
