DOHA: Behavioural problems are common among many young people visiting a pilot clinic for adolescents at the West Bay Health Centre, says an expert.
Many young boys visiting the clinic have habits such as smoking cigarettes, shisha and chewing tobacco. Problems such as depression, stress, obesity and vitamin deficiency are more common with adolescent girls visiting the clinic, said Dr Maryam Al Fadhala, Consultant Family Medicine and Adolescent at the West Bay Health Centre. The clinic has treated over 100 cases during 18 months and at least nine to 10 adolescents are seen every week.
“We help them mainly with counselling and any medicine if needed. Some of them come here on their own and others are referred to the clinic by physicians at the health centre when they find any suspicious behavioural problems with adolescent patients,” Dr Al Fadhala said.
Some girls who have attempted suicide too have been treated at the adolescent clinic. Many of them suffer from depression and have problems with parents over minor issues and feel isolated.
“They don’t attempt suicide to kill them, but to seek attention. They get depressed for very small reasons like parents refusing to take them out,” said Dr Al Fadhala. The Peninsula
