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The Psychiatrist's View on School Refusal: Understanding the 'Why' and the Path to Return

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  Dr Zoheb Raj, MD For a child, saying "I don't want to go to school" is a common morning refrain. But when that refusal evolves into chronic distress, physical symptoms, and persistent absences, it crosses the line into School Refusal Behavior (SRB) . As a psychiatrist, I want parents and educators to understand that this is not a sign of poor discipline or simple defiance; it is almost always a signal of underlying emotional or psychological distress that requires clinical attention. School Refusal: A Cry for Help, Not a Choice School refusal is defined by difficulty attending school or remaining in school for an entire day, often accompanied by severe emotional distress (anxiety, panic) and physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches) that disappear once the child is allowed to stay home. Crucially, the child is typically not refusing to learn or to socialize; they are refusing to cope with the environment that triggers their distress. The ultimate goal of the child...
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New trends in personalized treatment of depression

  As a psychiatrist in the UAE, I've seen firsthand the increasing importance placed on mental health and the exciting advancements in our field. It’s a privilege to work in an environment where the conversation around mental wellness is growing, and where we are continuously integrating innovative treatments to help our patients. Today, I want to talk about some of the new and emerging treatments for major depressive disorder and how they are shaping the future of care right here in the UAE. Beyond Traditional Approaches: A Look at New Treatments The UAE Context: A Leader in Mental Health For a long time, the primary treatments for depression have been medication and psychotherapy. While these remain foundational and effective for many, we now have an expanding toolkit, particularly for those with treatment-resistant depression. Pharmacological Innovations : We're seeing a shift toward a new class of antidepressants, including the use of psychedelics. For example, the nasal sp...
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