Clinical Psychology, Epidemiology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Mental health
28
Scopus Publications
254
Scholar Citations
10
Scholar h-index
12
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Prevalence of depression and generalised anxiety disorders in Iraq: a nationwide study Darya Rostam Ahmed, Karwan Kakabra Kakamad, Rania H. Al-Taie, Reinhard Heun Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2026 Background Globally, depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) are among the most common mental health conditions. In Iraq, decades of war, displacement, economic hardship, and an under-resourced mental health infrastructure have contributed to an increasing mental health burden. Aim This study aimed to explore the prevalence of depression and GAD and examine sociodemographic correlates in a nationwide sample in Iraq. Method A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to February 2025 in Iraq using a hybrid approach, relying mainly on in-person recruitment and supplemented with an online survey in remote areas to improve inclusion. A total of 3,107 participants aged ≥ 18 years completed the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlations, and simple linear regression to estimate prevalence, compare groups, assess comorbidity, and evaluate predictive relationships. Results Among 3,107 adults (56.2% female; mean age = 35.6 years), severe depression was found in 20.4% of the general sample (Middle / South 22.3% vs. KRI 19.3%), and severe anxiety was 12.0% of the general sample (Middle / South 14.5% vs. KRI 10.6%). Female, widowed/separated adults, younger adults (18–35 years) and those with lower socioeconomic status or poorer health showed significantly higher levels (all p < .001). Anxiety was strongly correlated with depression ( r = .792, p < .001) and predicted depressive symptoms (R 2 = 0.628). Conclusion This study found high levels of depression and anxiety in the sample, with higher symptoms reported in the middle and southern provinces. Anxiety and depression were strongly associated and several sociodemographic groups showed elevated vulnerability. These results highlight the need for accessible, context-sensitive mental health support in Iraq and should be interpreted considering sampling and methodological limitations.
Systematic review reveals mental health benefits of Ramadan fasting with mixed effects on sleep quality and cognitive functioning Darya Rostam Ahmed, Mohammad Al Diab Al Azzawi, Jaafar O. Ahmed, Amr Elzahaby, Ayham Mohammad Hussein, Reinhard Heun Discover Psychology, 2026 Ramadan fasting has been studied for its potential health benefits, including mental health. The present systematic review examined empirical evidence on the effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health and, to a limited extent, cognitive functioning. A search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science between 3 January 2024 and 18 February 2024. The initial search yielded 288 articles. After removing 74 duplicates, 214 records were selected for initial screening after exclusion, and 141 articles met the criteria for full-text review. Ultimately, 20 studies were included in the final analysis. These studies were critically evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. The result indicated that Ramadan fasting positively affected mental health outcomes: 72.7%, 66.6%, and 85.7% of the studies reported reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively, and 71.4% improved psychological well-being. Cognitive functions improved in 50% of the studies. More than half of the studies reported a worsening (57.1%) of sleep quality during Ramadan. The risk of bias assessments indicated high methodological quality in most studies; Some minor limitations were identified, including occasional inadequate handling of confounding and issues with participant representativeness. These findings suggest that Ramadan fasting may offer mental health benefits and could serve as a culturally relevant non-pharmacological strategy to support psychological well-being in Muslim communities, with potential implications for public health policy and clinical practice.
“Self-burning is the only way to show how painful women's lives are”. A qualitative study of the social context of suicidal self-burning among Iraqi Kurdish women Darya Rostam Ahmed, Jaafar O Ahmed, Karwan Kakabra Kakamad, Talar Jamal Rahim, Nashmeel Rasool HamahAmeen, Reinhard Heun BMC Women S Health, 2026 BACKGROUND: This study aimed to understand suicidal self-burning among Iraqi Kurdish women in Iraq by exploring survivors’ motivations, cultural and social influences, community attitudes, and the structural conditions that sustain this phenomenon. METHODS: A study was conducted in the Kurdistan region of Iraq between November 2024 and February 2025. Thirteen interviews were conducted with female suicidal self-burning survivors, and six focus groups were held with 36 family and community informants (i.e., religious leaders, community police, healthcare professionals, community members, and civil society representatives). These data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Six interconnected themes were identified. (1) Context, meanings, and reasons for Iraqi Kurdish women’s suicidal self-burning: Suicidal self-burning most often occurred in private areas of the home. Survivors described the act as a cry for help and a means of communicating unbearable psychological pain, frequently arising from abuse within the family and community, including forced marriage. (2) Why Iraqi Kurdish women choose self-burning over other suicide methods: Survivors cited accessibility, cultural familiarity, and the symbolic power of fire as key reasons for selecting self-burning over other suicide methods. (3) Historical, cultural, religious, and social roots of Iraqi Kurdish women’s suicidal self-burning: Most informants said that religion, cultural traditions, generational narratives, and media coverage normalize female suicidal self-burning. (4) Community and family responses to Iraqi Kurdish women’s suicidal self-burning: Survivors and their families encountered mixed reactions, including emotional support, stigma, social exclusion, and religious condemnation. (5) Violations of human rights as social determinants of Iraqi Kurdish women’s suicidal self-burning: Survivors and informants identified violations of women’s human rights, particularly systemic inequalities at the disadvantage of women and male violence against women, as drivers of female suicidal self-burning. (6) Access to support and the prevention of Iraqi Kurdish women’s suicidal self-burning: Survivors reported substantial barriers to accessing mental health and social services while informants emphasised that prevention requires comprehensive educational, legal, and economic reforms and psychosocial interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal self-burning by Iraqi Kurdish women is an act of despair and a culturally shaped protest against structural injustices. The prevention of female suicidal self-burning requires multilayered strategies based on a human rights approach, including systemic (e.g. cultural, legal, policy) changes to eliminate female-male inequalities. It also requires improving women’s access to mental health services.
Mental health problems and substance use among iraqi adolescents: Retrospective study from the global school-based health survey Darya Rostam Ahmed, Hazhar Talaat Abubaker Blbas, Jaafar O Ahmed Addicta the Turkish Journal on Addictions, 2026 Mental health problems and addiction are interconnected public health concerns among adolescents. The objective was to examine the estimated prevalence and identify shared predictors of mental health and addiction problems among Iraqi adolescents using data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Data from 1611 students aged 11–16 years were analyzed. Binary outcomes were derived from Global School-Based Student Health Survey items; Chi-square tests and logistic regression examined associations with demographics and psychosocial factors. Overall, 10.3% reported mental health problems and 2.1% exhibited substance use problems . Beyond prevalence, the risk of substance addiction was substantially higher among students with mental health problems; female students had higher odds of mental health problems, while male students had a higher odd of substance addiction. Bullying and the lack of close friendships were strongly associated with substance addictions, and smoking and drug use were strong predictors of mental health distress. Older age and higher grade were associated with increased mental health problems. Emotional distress and risky behaviors co-occur and cluster around social adversities (bullying, weak peer ties) in Iraqi schools. This study provides the first national analysis of Iraq’s Global School-Based Student Health Survey data to jointly examine mental health and substance use problems and their shared social predictors, establishing a baseline for trend comparisons. The findings support early integrated, school-based approaches that are gender-responsive, incorporate bullying prevention and peer support structures, and link to cessation and referral pathways in school and primary care systems. These data offer concrete goals for Ministries of Health/Education when updating school health programs and child protection policies.
A systematic review of the association between climate change and suicidality reveals that climate indicators increase suicide rates Darya Rostam Ahmed, Sujita Kumar Kar, Mohammad Al Diab Al Azzawi, Reinhard Heun Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health, 2026 Climate change is increasingly recognized as a public health challenge, with emerging evidence linking climate-related factors to suicidality. A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines. The studies that assessed the association between climate indicators and suicidality were included, and risk of bias was assessed using MMAT and ROBINS-E. A total of 43 studies met the inclusion criteria, covering various geographic regions and populations. Rising ambient temperatures were the climate variable most frequently studied, with multiple studies showing a significant increase in suicide rates linked to higher temperatures, particularly during the summer months, especially among females. Seasonal variations, including heatwaves and extreme cold, were associated with increased suicidality. Additionally, extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and storms correlated with higher suicide risks, particularly in vulnerable populations, including older adults and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Air pollution, particularly exposure to PM2.5, NO2 and SO2, was also found to contribute to suicidality. Most of the studies originated in high-income countries, highlighting a gap in research from low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), where the impacts of climate change may be more severe but remain understudied. Although two studies examined suicidal ideation, the overwhelming majority of the evidence focused on suicide mortality, underscoring the marked under-representation of non-fatal suicidality outcomes in the existing literature. The findings suggest that climate change plays an important role in suicidality, with increasing temperatures, extreme weather and air pollution acting as key risk factors. As climate stressors grow, it is crucial to integrate them into mental health and suicide-prevention policies. More research, especially in underrepresented regions, is needed to guide effective interventions.
The Cognitive and Psychological Impact of Collective Existential Annihilation Anxiety: The Case of Halabja Chemical Attack Darya Rostam Ahmed, Ibrahim Kira, Hanaa Shuwiekh, Luqman Sarchl International Perspectives in Psychology Research Practice Consultation, 2026 Objective: We aimed to assess the impact of extreme events associated with collective existential annihilation anxiety (EAA), such as the Halabja chemical attack on Iraqi Kurds 35 years ago. Method: We recruited 437 survivors and their offspring. We developed a scale to measure the severity of the chemical attack, employed measures that assess EAA, executive functions, PTSD, complex PTSD (CPTSD), depression, anxiety, the Will to Exist Live Survive (WTELS), resilience, and posttraumatic growth (PTG). We conducted correlation, SEM, and PROCESS-Macro analyses to examine the impact of the attack, and t test to measure differences between survivors and offspring. Results: The attack was associated with EAA and negatively impacted working memory and coping variables (resilience, PTG, and WTELS-F). Working memory deficits, EAA, and lower coping contributed to higher CPTSD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. EAA moderated the mediated effects of depression and anxiety on CPTSD and the effects of CPTSD on anxiety. EAA was a significant moderator for the direct effects of the Halabja attack on anxiety and moderated the mediated effects of CPTSD. When comparing survivors to offspring, survivors showed greater EAA, working memory deficits, and PTG. There were no significant differences between them in low resilience, WTELS-F, and high PTSD, CPTSD, or depression. Conclusion: The cognitive and mental health impact of annihilation-threatening events is severe even after 35 years. The descendants continue to experience the effects of intergenerational trauma stemming from the attack. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and support systems for victims of EAA-associated events and their descendants.
Systematic review of mental health problems and migration stressors among Kurdish migrants in western host countries Darya Rostam Ahmed, Sara K. Kamal, Sarah Mahmoud Mesbah, Jehad Feras AlSamhori, Reinhard Heun Discover Mental Health, 2025 OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the mental health outcomes of Kurdish migrants, with particular attention to the prevalence of psychological disorders and the impact of pre- and post-migration stressors. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar according to the PRISMA guidelines. The strategy combined medical subject headings (MeSH) and relevant keywords on Kurdish migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and mental health. The search yielded 132 records, of which 15 studies met the eligibility criteria, representing a total of 5,319 participants. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Following migration and resettlement in host countries, Kurdish migrants were found to experience high rates of PTSD (36.9%), depression (36.3%), and anxiety (27.7%), together with additional difficulties such as insomnia, fatigue, and suicidal ideation. Pre-migration was most often driven by war and political oppression (81.1%), violence and persecution (60.7%), and economic hardship (59.1%). Post-migration stressors included family separation (47%), discrimination and violence (51.4%), isolation and loneliness (51.7%), economic difficulties (40%), fear of deportation (21%), and other problems (30%). CONCLUSION: As one of the largest stateless and historically persecuted populations, Kurds experience distinctive challenges in their migration journeys. Their significant burden of mental health problems underscores the need for culturally tailored and trauma-informed interventions that address both displacement experiences and barriers to integration in host societies, as well as during deportation and reintegration into their home countries.
Life expectancy in Iraq from 1950 to 2024: A retrospective time-series analysis Darya R. Ahmed Narra X, 2025 Life expectancy is a vital demographic indicator reflecting the health and well-being of a population. The aim of this study was to analyze life expectancy trends in Iraq from 1950 to 2024 using Worldometer data aggregated from United Nations statistics. The Iraqi population increased from 6.37 million in 1955 to 46.04 million in 2024, representing a 623% increase, with urbanization rising from 38.4% to 71.8%. Fertility rates declined from 6.0 live births per woman in 1955 to 3.2 in 2024, peaking at 7.1 in 1970 before steadily decreasing. Life expectancy improved significantly from 37.4 years in 1950 to 72.4 years in 2024, with a narrowing gender gap: life expectancy for men increased from 34.3 years in 1950 to 70.5 years in 2024, while for women, it rose from 41 years to 74.2 years over the same period. The median age also increased slightly, from 19.5 years in 1955 to 20.6 years in 2024. Infant mortality rates dropped dramatically, from 206.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1950 to 18.7 in 2024, and under-five mortality fell from 357.9 to 22.4. Despite historical conflicts, improvements in healthcare and living conditions highlight Iraq’s dynamic demographic changes, presenting the ongoing challenges and opportunities posed by its rapid growth and urbanization.
Misdiagnoses of mental illnesses in clinical practice: factors and recommendations Darya Rostam Ahmed, Jaafar O. Ahmed, Faisal Mustafa Braim, Sujita Kumar Kar, Reinhard Heun Clinical Psychologist, 2025 Misdiagnosis of mental illness remains a critical challenge in clinical practice. This article identifies 16 contributing factors, grouped into three overarching domains: diagnostic complexity inherent to mental illness, clinician-level factors, and structural/systemic influences. To address these challenges, we propose 10 actionable recommendations aligned with the same domains. These include structured and comprehensive assessment protocols, investment in clinician training and reflective practice, and the adoption of interdisciplinary models supported by advanced tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital biomarkers. By situating recommendations within the domains of identified challenges, this paper provides a practical roadmap for reducing diagnostic errors and improving patient outcomes in mental health care.
Systematic review reveals mental health benefits of Ramadan fasting with mixed effects on sleep quality and cognitive functioning DR Ahmed, M Al Diab Al Azzawi, JO Ahmed, A Elzahaby, AM Hussein, ... Discover Psychology 6 (1), 2 , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
The Cognitive and Psychological Impact of Collective Existential Annihilation Anxiety DR Ahmed, I Kira, H Shuwiekh, L Sarchl International Perspectives in Psychology , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
“Self-burning is the only way to show how painful women's lives are” . An qualitative study of the social context of suicidal self-burning among Iraqi Kurdish women DR Ahmed, JO Ahmed, KK Kakamad, TJ Rahim, NR HamahAmeen, ... BMC Women's Health , 2026 2026
Mental Health Aspects of War and Violent Extremism in South Asia DR Ahmed, RH Al-Taie, S Ibrahim Climate Change, Disaster and Mental Health in South Asia, 267-277 , 2026 2026
Prevalence of depression and generalised anxiety disorders in Iraq: a nationwide study DR Ahmed, KK Kakamad, RH Al-Taie, R Heun Middle East Current Psychiatry 33 (1), 4 , 2026 2026
Education, Mental Health, and Sustainable Development Goals in South Asia: An Intersectoral Analysis DR Ahmed, RH Al-Taie, JO Ahmed Sustainable Development Goals and Mental Health in South Asia, 155-172 , 2026 2026
A systematic review of the association between climate change and suicidality reveals that climate indicators increase suicide rates DR Ahmed, SK Kar, MAD Al Azzawi, R Heun Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health 13, e63 , 2026 2026
Mental Health Problems and Substance Use among Iraqi Adolescents: Retrospective Study from the Global School-Based Health Survey DR Ahmed, HTA Blbas, JO Ahmed Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions , 2026 2026
Addressing the mental health and climate impact of California wildfires in 2025 DR Ahmed, A Cucchi Geopsychiatry 2, 100008 , 2025 2025
Systematic review of mental health problems and migration stressors among Kurdish migrants in western host countries DR Ahmed, SK Kamal, SM Mesbah, JF AlSamhori, R Heun Discover Mental Health 5 (1), 158 , 2025 2025
The dynamics of Mothers Burnout in Arab Countries IA Kira, H Shuwiekh, AH Al-Huwailah, DR Ahmed, JS Ashby, I Ahmad, ... 2025
Misdiagnoses of mental illnesses in clinical practice: factors and recommendations DR Ahmed, JO Ahmed, FM Braim, SK Kar, R Heun Clinical Psychologist 29 (3), 372-384 , 2025 2025
Evaluating the Impact of Integrated Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Perspectives DR Ahmed, B Abdulla, HJ Mustafa, K Kamaran, QK Hassan, ... Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry 34 (2), 80-90 , 2025 2025
Widespread Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Iraq's General Population: A Systematic Review SK Ahmed, DR Ahmed, RH Ibrahim, S Hussein, HTA Blbas, KA Mahmood, ... SAGE Open Nursing 11, 23779608251347847 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Life expectancy in Iraq from 1950 to 2024: A retrospective time-series analysis DR Ahmed Narra X 3 (1), e205-e205 , 2025 2025
Rebuilding Syria's mental health system after decades of war DR Ahmed, SK Kar, R Heun, M Hraib, CA Deeb Lancet (London, England) 405 (10489), 1575-1575 , 2025 2025
Prevalence of climate anxiety and its association with mental health: national cross-sectional study in Iraq DR Ahmed, KK Kakamad, RH Al-Taie, JO Ahmed, R Heun BJPsych International, 1-7 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Trauma and mental health problems among Iraqi IDPs following the 2014 ISIS invasion: a systematic review DR Ahmed, SM Mesbah, M Al Diab Al Azzawi, R Heun Medicine, Conflict and Survival 40 (4), 366-387 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
How NGO staff understand Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and MHPSS Pyramid in Iraq: A pilot descriptive study DR Ahmed, MAD Al Azzawi, R Heun Consortium Psychiatricum 5 (3), 62 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
The current global threat of weapons of mass destruction to humanity and public health DR Ahmed, M Al Diab Al Azzawi Discover Public Health 21 (1), 37 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The mental health of people in Turkey-Syria earthquake-affected areas needs urgent attention SK Ahmed, K Dhama, SO Abdulqadir, RM Omar, DR Ahmed, ... Asian journal of psychiatry 84, 103573 , 2023 2023 Citations: 31
Mental health problems in Iraq: A systematic review DR Ahmed GLOBAL PSYCHIATRY ARCHIVES 5 (1), 26-35 , 2022 2022 Citations: 24
The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Yazidi people results from ISIS invasion and consecutive trauma: A systematic review DR Ahmed, R Heun Asian journal of psychiatry 88, 103703 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
A letter to the editor on the ISIS syndrome DR Ahmed Middle East Current Psychiatry 29 (1) , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
A systematic review of Yazidi children and adolescents reveals high rates of mental and psychiatric disorders after the ISIS invasion in 2014 DR Ahmed Global Psychiatry Archives 5 (2), 119-126 , 2022 2022 Citations: 16
A systematic review of the epidemiology of suicide in Iraq and Kurdistan region DR Ahmed, R Heun Journal of affective disorders 351, 790-798 , 2024 2024 Citations: 15
From Holocaust to Anfal: The impact of genocide and cross-generational trauma on the mental health of Kurds DR Ahmed International Journal of Social Psychiatry 70 (3), 621-625 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
The epidemiology of self-immolation in Iraq: A systematic review DR Ahmed International journal of social psychiatry 69 (7), 1551-1559 , 2023 2023 Citations: 13
Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors HN Mahmood, DR Ahmed, S Neldner, F Neuner Current Psychology 43 (23), 20383-20393 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
The psychological profile of Iraq: A nation haunted by decades of suffering DR Ahmed Open Health 5 (1), 20230024 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Standard guidelines on electronic mental health and psychosocial support for humanitarian assistance DR Ahmed, R Heun The Lancet Psychiatry 11 (6), 403-404 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Assessment of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Limitations, Needs, and Recommendations in Iraq DR Ahmed Intervention, he Journal of Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Conflict … , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Trauma and mental health problems among Iraqi IDPs following the 2014 ISIS invasion: a systematic review DR Ahmed, SM Mesbah, M Al Diab Al Azzawi, R Heun Medicine, Conflict and Survival 40 (4), 366-387 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Observation of Rare Psychosocial and Mental Health Symptoms in ISIS Psychiatric Patients: A Pilot Study Among ISIS Affiliates DR Ahmed Global Psychiatry Archives 5 (1), 64 - 69 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
The current global threat of weapons of mass destruction to humanity and public health DR Ahmed, M Al Diab Al Azzawi Discover Public Health 21 (1), 37 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Letter to the editor concerning:“The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence” DR Ahmed Molecular Psychiatry 29 (1), 205-205 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
From curiosity to contribution: reflections of a junior researcher on his journey into mental health research in Iraq DR Ahmed Global Psychiatry Archives 6 (1), 1 - 6 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Self-immolation among Kurdish women: causes and solutions DR Ahmed Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries 49 (7), 1765-1767 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Observation of rare psychosocial and mental health symptoms in ISIS psychiatric patients: a pilot study among ISIS affiliates. Global Psychiatry Arch 5 (1): 65–69 DR Ahmed 2022 Citations: 5
The perspective of psychological action mechanism of mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation blurs the transparent boundary between the unconscious and the conscious mind DR Ahmed Psychiatry Investigation 20 (5), 393 , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
