Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute

20/04/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟲𝟭: 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆: 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗛𝗼𝘄-𝗧𝗼

This week, in 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟲𝟭 of 𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, Dr Ayesha Mian shifts the focus to an often overlooked aspect of parenting: how we care for and support a mother during pregnancy.

It's all too common to see everyone paying attention to the mother's physical health during pregnancy, while her mental and emotional wellbeing is being neglected.

Dr Ayesha highlights that a mother’s stress, anxiety, and mood during pregnancy can directly impact the child’s future emotional and developmental outcomes. So by supporting the mother you are also directly caring for the child.

Key points to consider include:
• A mother’s mental and emotional health is just as important as her physical health
• Around 1 in 5 women may experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy
• Physical discomfort, hormonal changes, and shifting roles can all increase stress and risks for anxiety or depression
• Emotional support, reassurance, and a stable family environment are essential
• The more supported and content a mother feels, the better the outcomes for both mother and child

So remember, creating a calm, supportive, and compassionate environment can have a huge impact on both mother and child.

Send this video to someone who needs to hear this message!

See you next week.

17/04/2026

We’re pleased to introduce Dr Amreen Rao, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience across clinical, academic, and research settings.

Working with children, adolescents, and adults, she supports a wide range of concerns including trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, and relationship difficulties. Her approach integrates evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions and tailors them to every individual’s needs.

We’re excited to have her as part of the Synapse team.

16/04/2026

💡Practitioner Spotlight💡

In this video, Dr Samrah Nasir, an adult psychiatrist, walks you through what to expect from a visit, helping make the process feel clearer, more approachable, and less intimidating.

Watch to learn more about how sessions work and how she supports her clients.

14/04/2026

We’re incredibly proud to congratulate Asif Sinan on becoming an Associate Member of the World Federation of Music Therapy.

As the first Pakistani to achieve this, this milestone marks an important step forward for the growth and recognition of music therapy in Pakistan.

Asif Sinan’s work continues to open new pathways for integrating creativity, healing, and mental health in meaningful ways.

Here’s to many more milestones ahead!

13/04/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟲𝟬: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱?

This week we bring you the second episode in our series on 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. In 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟲𝟬 of 𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, Dr Ayesha explores an important and often unspoken question: how do you know if you are ready to have a child?

She explains that readiness is really about emotional, relational, practical, and financial preparedness. In many cases, people move into parenthood more because it is expected of them than because it's what they feel fully ready for.

Dr Ayesha highlights that becoming a parent means taking on a long-term responsibility that affects not just your life, but the emotional and psychological development of another human being for their whole life.

Key points to assess your own readiness:
1️⃣ Mutual desire of both partners to have a child together
2️⃣ The quality of your relationship with you partner and co-parent
3️⃣ Financial stability
4️⃣Strength of your support system e.g. parents, extended family, friends
5️⃣Your emotional maturity and ability to manage stress and uncertainty

Parenthood is not about being perfect. It is about being prepared to grow, to move from a mindset of 'me; to 'we', and to show up consistently.

If you are thinking about having a child, take time to reflect, have open conversations, and seek guidance if needed.

See you very soon!

13/04/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Furhan Hussain, a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor currently getting advanced training in Clinical Supervision. His work brings a reflective, experience-informed approach to supporting personal wellbeing.

Drawing on a lived perspective of navigating stress, resilience, and safety, Furhan supports individuals in building self-awareness and sustainable coping strategies. Alongside his clinical work, he has contributed to social impact initiatives and research at the intersection of technology, communications, and civil society.

11/04/2026

We’re excited to open applications for our Summer 2026 Internship, starting 1st June.

Each batch runs for 3 weeks, offering a structured opportunity to learn, observe, and engage with the field of mental health.

Open to anyone studying or interested in psychology or mental health.

🔗 All details + registration form are in the link in our bio.

10/04/2026

We’re honored to welcome Dr Saad Shafqat to the Synapse team, a senior neurologist with over three decades of experience in treating a wide range of neurological conditions.

With training from Aga Khan University and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and over 25 years on the faculty at Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr Shafqat brings deep clinical expertise and a longstanding commitment to patient care.

We’re excited to have him as part of our growing community.

06/04/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟱𝟵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

This Monday we are starting a brand new series! After wrapping up our deep dive into ADHD, we are responding to your requests to talk about parenting and the vital role families play in shaping a child's future.

In 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟱𝟵, Dr. Ayesha explains that regardless of your family structure; whether nuclear, joint, single-parent, or co-parenting after divorce, the fundamental responsibilities remain the same. The main goal of a family is to provide children with the moral, physical, and emotional skills they need to thrive.

She outlines the 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆:

1️⃣ Security: Providing a stable environment where children feel emotionally, physically, and mentally safe.

2️⃣ Socialization: Teaching them how to communicate, connect with others, and pick up on social cues.

3️⃣ Character Development: Modeling moral and ethical values and teaching the difference between right and wrong.

4️⃣ Fostering Independence: Perhaps the most unique role—teaching children how to eventually separate and manage life on their own (physically, emotionally, and financially).

5️⃣ Emotional Stability: Building resilience and teaching children how to manage failures and setbacks so they can face the world again.

In the coming weeks, we will explore specific roles and the unique challenges found in different types of families.

If you have questions or areas you’d like us to cover in this series, please send them in.

See you next week!

02/04/2026

💡Practitioner Spotlight💡

Introducing Dr Samrah Nasir, an adult psychiatrist and the second practitioner featured in our Practitioner Spotlight series.

Watch the video to learn more about her work, approach, and what mental health means to her.

30/03/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟱𝟴: 𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗗 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

This week, in Episode 58 of Bas Paanch Minute, Dr Ayesha concludes our ADHD series by discussing non-stimulant medications used in the treatment and management of ADHD.

She explains that while stimulant medications are often first-line, non-stimulants are important alternatives in specific situations, especially when stimulants are not suitable, not effective, or when there are co-occurring concerns such as anxiety or depression.

Dr Ayesha also highlights the importance of evidence-based treatment, and cautions against the use of medications that are not indicated for core ADHD symptoms e.g. Risperdal.

Key points about non-stimulant medications include:
- The three main classes of non-stimulant medications are Alpha Agonists such as Clonidine and Guanfacine, Bupropion (Wellbutrin), and Atomoxetine (Strattera).
- Clonidine is often used in children and is typically taken at night due to its sedating effects
- Non-stimulants are usually taken daily and consistently, unlike some stimulant regimens
- Bupropion may be helpful when ADHD co-occurs with depression or low energy
- Atomoxetine can be useful for individuals with anxiety alongside ADHD.

If you think you or your child may benefit from ADHD treatment, consult a qualified professional such as a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, psychiatrist, or developmental pediatrician.

We hope you've found this series helpful and informative. If you liked it, let us know in the comments!

See you next week!

21/03/2026