Islamabad: Psychiatrist on Tuesday raised public awareness about the urgent need to change attitudes toward doctors, highlighting growing concerns over their mental and physical health amid increasing professional pressures.
While speaking to a local media channel, Senior Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Afridi cautioned that long working hours, hectic routines, chronic sleep deprivation, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity and constant psychological pressure are driving doctors toward early heart disease, diabetes, depression and substance abuse.
He emphasized that people, including doctors themselves, should maintain balance in life, avoid prolonged stress, prioritize well-being, limit excessive mobile phone use and recognize that doctors are human too.
He revealed that nearly 60 percent of doctors are experiencing severe physical and mental exhaustion.
Many struggle to meet the expectations of their families, supervisors and patients due to the heavy workload, adding, physical exercise and mental relaxation have become essential for doctors today.
Rising stress and long working hours are taking a serious toll on doctors’ health, prompting alarm over increasing cases of burnout, depression, and related ailments.
The psychiatrist urged both doctors and the public to act to alleviate this crisis.
He advised doctors to adopt a balanced routine with regular physical activity, adequate sleep and mental relaxation. He also called on the public to respect doctors’ limits, understand their human vulnerabilities, and provide support rather than pressure.
Promoting awareness and fostering healthier attitudes toward medical professionals, he emphasized, can help reduce stress and safeguard doctors’ physical and mental well-being.