Kota Kinabalu: A child psychologist told the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir that there was no evidence the teenager suffered from depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, delusions or any diagnosed mental health disorder.
Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, who is also a registered counsellor, said the available reports also showed Zara had not sought counselling or psychiatric treatment and was not taking medication related to any mental health condition, while continuing her testimony before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on Tuesday.
She told the court that although Zara experienced stress, it should not be equated with mental illness, adding that stress affects everyone and can be positive or negative depending on how an individual copes with it.
Dr Noor Aishah said her psychological assessment did not conclude that Zara suffered from anxiety and that she did not meet the criteria for depression, psychosis, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, noting there were no reports of hallucinations or delusions.
She also told the inquest that Zara's personal notes alone could not support a conclusion that she was depressed, as any psychological assessment must be based on the overall body of evidence.
