::Interviews and articles::

Interview with psychiatrist Mostafa El-Nahas

People’s attitudes regarding mental illness has changed to better . . With all the living or family pressures that individuals face, questions are raised about the role of psychiatry as a solution to the crises resulting from these pressures, far from being considered a social stigma as it was in the past, in addition to its great importance as one of the important weapons in the battle against terrorism, harassment, discrimination against women, bullying, rape, and so on.

Perhaps the importance of psychological treatment lies in the changes and developments occurring at the local and external levels, which has resulted in a large number of psychological cases of anxiety, depression, fear, and others.

Women from Egypt – through interviews and articles by psychiatry experts – highlighted on a range of issues related to women, regarding the latest developments in psychological treatment in Egypt and the reasons that made women more vulnerable to mental illness, and up to the numbers related to mental illness in the lives of Egyptians.

We are pleased in this dialogue to have our guest, psychiatrist Mostafa El-Nahas, specialist in psychiatry and addiction treatment at Maamoura Hospital, Alexandria to clarify for us things about mental health. Dr. Mostafa El-Nahas has a Master’s degree in Neurology and Psychiatry from Alexandria University, and is the Director of the Sabeel Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment in Alexandria. Dr. Mostafa Al-Nahas has lunched several awareness videos on his YouTube channel and Facebook page that aim to simplify psychological terminology and how to treat addiction and depression. These videos were appreciated by millions of followers and succeeded in changing the Arab world’s view of mental illness as treatable psychological problems and not demonic possession, lack of faith, weakness of will, or stigma.

  • Are women’s mental disorders and illnesses really on the rise in Egypt? If the answer is yes, from your point of view, what is the reason for its spread? (Is the reason for its spread due to the increasing rates of divorce, harassment, rape, bullying, and gender discrimination, or other reasons?)

  • From your point of view, what are the characteristics of a psychiatrist?

  • With the spread of the life coaching phenomenon, what is the difference between a psychiatrist and a life coach? Can a life coach replace a psychiatrist? And why?

  • Are there activities and books that you recommend in this field in order to benefit from it?

  • What do you think about conducting psychological tests on couples about to get married before tying the knot and on senior officials before assuming their positions?

  • Is there any advice you would give to girls and women in Egypt at the end of this dialogue to maintain their mental health and live a better psychological life?

  • Firstly, could you tell us about yourself and your work?

  • When to see a psychiatrist
  • Why do you think that the percentage of cases of mental disorders and illnesses is increasing?
  • Does Egypt suffer from weak psychiatric capabilities compared to abroad? What are the latest developments in psychotherapy in Egypt?
  • What are the reasons for the spread of depression and suicide among the youth?
  • In Egypt, there are no official statistics on the percentage of mental illness. How much do you think this percentage is? Why does Egyptian society still refuse to acknowledge mental illness and see it as a stigma?
  • What is the association between organic diseases and mental illnesses?
  • What are the most segments of society who are exposed with cases of psychological disorders? And you provided them with advices, are they young or old, men or women? What advice do you give them?

To communicate with Dr. Mostafa El Nahas, you can visit his website

Or through the Facebook page

Or watch the awareness videos on the YouTube channel