Exploring the Connection Between Underdiagnosed Mental Health Issues and Societal Stigma in the UAE

This study examines the impact of cultural, social, and religious factors on underdiagnosed mental health concerns in the United Arab Emirates. A historical synopsis shows how cultural ideas have shaped conceptions of mental health from prehistoric times to the present. Along with diseases like eating disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and neurodevelopmental disorders, the role that stigma plays in impeding diagnosis and treatment is also examined. The study uses research questions to gain insight into ethnic group experiences in the UAE and the impact of stigma, with the goal of eliminating stigma around mental health and enhancing access to care.