The Saudi Journal of Medical Insights

Neurological disorders are a leading global cause of disability and mortality, frequently accompanied by high rates of
psychological comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, which significantly worsen outcomes and increase caregiver
burden. Despite this, mental health care remains poorly integrated into standard neurological practice due to systemic,
professional, and patient-related barriers. This study discuss that the Family Medicine model—with its principles of
continuity, comprehensiveness, patient-centeredness, and coordination—is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. This
narrative review synthesizes evidence from observational studies, trials, and guidelines. A comprehensive non-systematic
literature search was performed using major electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and
the Cochrane Library, for articles published in English from January 2010 to December 2025. The high prevalence of
psychological distress across conditions like stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, and
examines evidence-based interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and
supportive psychoeducation. Overcoming fragmentation through integrated, family medicine-led care is essential to address
the biopsychosocial complexity of neurological illness and improve holistic patient and family outcomes.