Darya Rostam Ahmed

@koyauniversity.org

Clinical psychology
Koya university



                                   

https://researchid.co/daryarostamahmed

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Clinical Psychology, Epidemiology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Mental health

27

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, and Reinhard Heun

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Abstract 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, and Reinhard Heun

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • 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, and Jaafar O Ahmed

    Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti / Turkish Green Crescent Society
    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, and Reinhard Heun

    Cambridge University Press (CUP)

  • The Cognitive and Psychological Impact of Collective Existential Annihilation Anxiety: The Case of Halabja Chemical Attack
    Darya Rostam Ahmed, Ibrahim Kira, Hanaa Shuwiekh, and Luqman Sarchl

    Hogrefe Publishing Group
    Abstract: 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, and Reinhard Heun

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Rebuilding Syria's mental health system after decades of war
    Darya Rostam Ahmed, Sujita Kumar Kar, Reinhard Heun, Munawar Hraib, and Cyrine Ali Deeb

    Elsevier BV

  • Life expectancy in Iraq from 1950 to 2024: A retrospective time-series analysis
    Darya R. Ahmed

    Narra Sains Indonesia
    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, and Reinhard Heun

    Informa UK Limited

  • Prevalence of climate anxiety and its association with mental health: National cross-sectional study in Iraq
    Darya Rostam Ahmed, Karwan Kakabra Kakamad, Rania H. Al-Taie, Jaafar O. Ahmed, and Reinhard Heun

    Royal College of Psychiatrists
    Background Iraq is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and it is faced with extreme heat, drought and environmental degradation. Aims To examine the prevalence of climate anxiety and its association with depression and generalised anxiety disorder in the Iraqi population. Method A cross-sectional survey recruited 1019 adult participants (47.8% males, 52.2% females). Most participants were aged 18–41 years (n = 854, 83.8%); 16.2% (n = 165) were aged 42–72 years. Regionally, 75.6% (n = 770) were from the Kurdistan Region and 24.4% (n = 249) from provinces in central and southern Iraq. The study used the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Statistical analyses, included descriptive analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-tests, Pearson’s correlations and regression models, examined variations in climate anxiety by demographics and associations with depression and anxiety. Results Overall, 71.4% of participants reported severe climate anxiety, with a higher prevalence in the Kurdistan Region (73.2%) compared with central and southern Iraq (65.9%). Five provinces were found to have significantly higher levels of climate anxiety: Ninawa, Basrah, Najaf, Duhok and Erbil. Age was a significant predictor, and older participants (42–72 years) reported higher levels than younger participants (P = 0.008). A positive correlation was observed between climate anxiety and both depression (r = 0.382, P < 0.001) and generalised anxiety (r = 0.361, P < 0.001). Simple linear regression revealed that climate anxiety was significantly associated with both depression (β = 0.25, P < 0.001) and generalised anxiety (β = 0.214, P < 0.01), accounting for the 14.6 and 13% variance, respectively. Conclusions Climate anxiety is prevalent in Iraq and significantly associated with mental health problems. The findings endorse the need for integration of mental health into Iraq’s national climate adaptation and public health policies.

  • Widespread Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Iraq's General Population: A Systematic Review
    Sirwan Khalid Ahmed, Darya Rostam Ahmed, Radhwan Hussein Ibrahim, Safin Hussein, Hazhar Talaat Abubaker Blbas, Kochr Ali Mahmood, Karzan Qurbani, Abdulmalik Fareeq Saber, and Araz Qadir Abdalla

    SAGE Publications
    Background and Objective Mental health has emerged as a critical public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize existing literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population in Iraq. Methods The systematic reviews were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the unique identifier CRD42023423291. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus,Medline, and Google Scholar in May 2023 for studies published from January 2020 to January 2023. The researchers used the Joanna Briggs Institute to evaluate the quality of the studies. Data from all the included research in this review were collected and synthesized. Results This review included data from 11 high-quality studies conducted in Iraq, involving a total of 8,917 participants. Of these participants, 4,860 (54.5%) were female and 4,057 (45.5%) were male. The aim of these studies was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The systematic review yielded important findings regarding the prevalence rates of anxiety, stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These rates were estimated to be 54.89%, 48.15%, 49.57%, and 31.35% respectively. It is worth noting that various demographic groups in Iraq exhibited elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, highlighting the significant burden experienced by individuals. These findings emphasize the wide-ranging effects on different segments of the population, including college students and individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion This review highlights the substantial impact of COVID-19 on mental health in Iraq, noting increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD among various groups. The findings consistently showed a significant mental health burden on Iraqis, urging healthcare authorities and policymakers to implement targeted interventions to address these challenges promptly.

  • The current global threat of weapons of mass destruction to humanity and public health
    Darya Rostam Ahmed and Mohammad Al Diab Al Azzawi

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    AbstractWeapons of mass destruction (WMDs) have profoundly shaped global conflict and security landscapes throughout history. From the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the chemical attack in Halabja, these catastrophic events underscored the devastating potential of WMDs on health, humanity, ecosystems, and international stability. This study explored the immediate and long-term impacts of WMDs, analyzing historical precedents and current global conflicts to highlight ongoing risks. Emphasizing the urgent need for international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, the study aimed to raise awareness of the humanitarian, psychological, and ecological consequences of WMD use. By examining the geopolitical hotspots and the humanitarian crises they generated, it called for proactive crisis prevention strategies and enhanced global cooperation to mitigate the catastrophic effects of WMDs and protect global security.

  • How NGO Staff Understand Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and MHPSS Pyramid in Iraq: A Pilot Descriptive Study
    Darya Rostam Ahmed, Mohammad Al Diab Al Azzawi, and Reinhard Heun

    ECO-Vector LLC
    BACKGROUND: The Maslow's hierarchy of needs (Maslow's pyramid) and the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) pyramid are integral frameworks in humanitarian settings whose aim is to address individual and community needs. However, confusion often arises among non-governmental organization (NGO) workers about the application and differentiation of these models.AIM: This study aims to investigate the extent of confusion among NGO workers in Iraq as regards the Maslow's and MHPSS pyramids, identify the causes of this confusion, and explore its implications in the context of humanitarian mental health support.METHODS: A pilot descriptive study was conducted in December 2023 through an online survey involving 61 local NGO workers from MHPSS components in Iraq. We created a measure to assess the participants’ familiarity with both models, their perceived differences, and their views on the models’ applicability in humanitarian contexts.RESULTS: Male participants represented 55.7% (n=34) of the sample, while females accounted for 44.3% (n=27). Most participants were aged 25–34 (57%, n=35) and 35–44 (34%, n=21). A majority held bachelor’s degrees (67.2%, n=41), with 21.3% (n=13) holding master’s degrees. In terms of occupation, 49.2% (n=30) were engaged in the protection sector (gender-based violence and child protection), followed by health (19.7%, n=12), education (4.9%, n=3), and MHPSS staff roles in other sectors (26.2%, n=16). The study revealed that 54.1% (n=33) of the participants struggled to understand or differentiate between Maslow's and MHPSS pyramids. The causes of this confusion were related to perceived structural similarities (18.03%, n=11), lack of awareness and knowledge about the MHPSS pyramid (63.93%, n=39), and a combination of both (18.03%, n=11).CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of better training and education for NGO workers to improve their understanding of the Maslow's and MHPSS pyramids. Addressing this knowledge gap can increase efficacy in humanitarian aid provision, ensuring that individual and community needs are adequately met in crisis situations.


  • Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors
    Harem Nareeman Mahmood, Darya Rostam Ahmed, Sina Neldner, and Frank Neuner

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    AbstractThe Anfal genocide, including the infamous Halabja chemical attack, has imprinted deep scars on the Kurdish community in Iraq that lasted for decades. Despite significant historical documentation, the enduring psychological impact on survivors is less examined. This systematic review synthesizes existing research to address this gap. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this review systematically searched databases for scholarly articles examining the mental health of Kurdish survivors following the 1988 Anfal genocide, with a focus on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Of the initial 201 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria. These studies were subjected to a thorough data extraction and qualitative synthesis, and their quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The selected studies encompassed a combined sample of 760 participants, ranging in age from 7 to 92 years. The findings revealed high prevalence rates of PTSD, particularly in children, with a prevalence rate of 87%. In adults, PTSD and depression prevalence rates in unselected samples were estimated at 86.2% and 49%, respectively. Qualitative findings from survivors reveal a complex interplay of depression, intrusive memories, and societal isolation, compounded by poverty and discrimination, with health concerns like respiratory and ocular problems further exacerbating psychological distress. However, non-representative samples and absence of control groups limit result generalization. The literature reviewed indicates substantial psychological distress among the Anfal genocide survivors, underscoring an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Future research needs representative samples and validated tools for precise prevalence assessment and comprehensive impact understanding.

  • From Holocaust to Anfal: The impact of genocide and cross-generational trauma on the mental health of Kurds
    Darya Rostam Ahmed

    SAGE Publications
    Genocide attempts are among the most severe traumatic events that are transmitted across generations. However, it may also prove the strength and survivability as well as the vulnerability of the targeted group. Anfal and chemical attacks on Halabja on Iraqi Kurds that targeted their annihilation had a devastating impact. Many survivors and their generations are still dealing with their effects on psychological disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. To address the psychological effects of these tragic events on survivors and their generations and propose the actions to be taken, this article explores the psychological trauma and problems caused by attempted genocide and chemical attacks in the case of Anfal campaign. These effects require more research to fully understand the long-term effects of these tragedies, as well as support and provision of comprehensive psychological and mental health interventions to their survivors and generations.





  • Trauma and mental health problems among Iraqi IDPs following the 2014 ISIS Invasion: a systematic review
    Darya Rostam Ahmed, Sarah Mahmoud Mesbah, Mohammad Al Diab Al Azzawi, and Reinhard Heun

    Informa UK Limited
    This study aimed to examine the mental health issues and trauma faced by Iraqi IDPs post-2014. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, identifying 208 articles. After excluding 190 articles for duplication and ineligibility, we ultimately included 18 studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical evaluation checklist was used for quality assessment. Studies involved 5,764 participants from diverse ethno-religious groups including Arabs, Kurds, Christians, and Yazidis. Participants were mostly female (55.5%), male (38.4%), and the smallest and largest study samples were 29 and 1,256, respectively. Ages ranged from 12.18 to 43.34 years. The results revealed a high prevalence of PTSD at 61.9%, with depression and anxiety rates at 49% and 51%, respectively, and suicidal behaviours at 67.5%. Among IDP subgroups, PTSD and suicidal behaviours were particularly high among Yazidi-enslaved girls and women, at 90.6% and 67.55% respectively. Major trauma exposures included forced displacement, encounters with combat and violence, enslavement, and witnessing the death or abuse of relatives. Critical contributing factors to mental health problems were gender (being female), economic instability, prolonged displacement, exposure to combat, experiences of rape and torture, and limited access to services. The mental health support of this vulnerable population is critical.

  • Perceptions and usage of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and waterpipes among young and middle-aged adults in Iraq: A descriptive study
    Dastan Tareq Faeq, Darya Rostam Ahmed, Izaddin Ahmad Aziz, and Murat Yıldırım

    Informa UK Limited
    Tobacco use poses significant public health concerns, linked to various mental and physical health outcomes. Iraq has a high prevalence of smoking, predominantly with traditional cigarettes, but there is also growing popularity of electronic cigarettes and waterpipes among younger and middle-aged adults. This study aims to explore the perceptions and usage of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and waterpipes among this population in Iraq. A descriptive study was conducted among 402 young and middle-aged adults (50.25% females), aged between 18 and 45 years, with a mean age of 25.88 (SD = 7.27). For the data collection, an online questionnaire was developed utilizing distribution channels on common social networking platforms. The results showed that 41.79% of respondents have used traditional cigarettes, while 31.1% of participants reported that they use electronic cigarettes. Ninety-four per cent of respondents acknowledged that they use waterpipes. The results also indicated that a significant proportion believe that using electronic cigarettes is either much more harmful or more harmful than traditional cigarettes. Participants commonly perceived all three types of tobacco products as highly harmful, including secondhand smoke, addictive qualities, and popularity among peers. Additionally, significant differences in perceptions emerged between smokers and nonsmokers regarding electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, although no such differences were observed for waterpipes. These findings contribute to understanding the attitudes toward different forms of tobacco use among respondents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address the perceived harm associated with tobacco products.

  • The epidemiology of self-immolation in Iraq: A systematic review
    Darya Rostam Ahmed

    SAGE Publications
    Background: Self-immolation is one of the most brutal suicide methods and is a significant social and medical problem throughout the world. Self-immolation is more common in low-income countries than in high-income countries. Aim: The aim is to evaluate the trends in self-immolation and examine its frequency in Iraq. Methods: The PRISMA guideline was used to conduct this systematic review study. We searched for publications in English, Arabic and Kurdish in PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 105 publications were identified through the search; however, 92 were eliminated due to duplication and irrelevant content. Finally, 13 full articles were included for data extraction. The inclusion criteria were articles that investigated self-immolation. However, letters to editors and media reports on self-immolation were excluded. The retrieved studies were selected, reviewed and then quality assessed. Results: This study included 13 articles. According to the findings, self-immolation accounted for 26.38% of all burn admissions in the Iraqi provinces and the Kurdistan region, with 16.02% of those occurring in the middle and southern provinces of Iraq and 36.75% in the Kurdistan region. It is more common in women than in men, especially among young, married, illiterate, or poorly educated people. Sulaymaniyah had a higher percentage of self-immolation than other governorates in Iraq, accounting for 38.3% of burn admissions. Cultural and social norms, domestic violence, mental health problems, family conflicts and financial problems were identified as the most common causes of self-immolation. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-immolation is high among the Iraqi population, compared to other countries, particularly among the Kurdish population and in Sulaymaniyah. Self-immolation is relatively common among women. There are sociocultural factors that could contribute to this problem. Families must be restricted from having easy access to kerosene, and high-risk individuals should have access to psychological consultation to reduce the risk of self-immolation.



  • The mental health of people in Turkey-Syria earthquake-affected areas needs urgent attention
    Sirwan Khalid Ahmed, Kuldeep Dhama, Salar Omar Abdulqadir, Rukhsar Muhammad Omar, Darya Rostam Ahmed, Chiranjib Chakraborty, and AbdulRahman A. Saied

    Elsevier BV

  • The Perspective of Psychological Action Mechanism of MindfulnesMeditation: Mindfulness Meditation Blurs the Transparent Boundary Between the Unconscious and the Conscious Mind
    Darya Rostam Ahmed

    Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
    Based on the author’s clinical experience, the aim of this paper is to conceptually analyse the theory of psychological functioning and action mechanisms in the way mindfulness meditation works. Meditation is a method of revealing unconsciousness. It works in a similar way to the inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms of neurones. Block pathogenic thoughts and emotions that reach the unconscious to the conscious mind. The long-term implementation of mediation may be more effective than the short-term and interrupted implementation.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • 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