Mental illnesses:Demystifying the myth
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| A mentally ill person (Picture credit: www.theconversation.com) |
By Sopuruchukwu Egbodo @SopuruEgbodo
“It was 10:00pm Nigerian time, the night was calm, the chirping of crickets and croaking of frogs can be heard from afar. The tenants of No 11. Nwamara Street, a one storey building in Aba, Nigeria were getting ready to end the day with a sleep when suddenly Mrs. Stephen, the wife of a neighbor who occupied the 2 bedrooms directly above ours broke the silence with her yells. She shouted commands and threatened to punish imaginary human beings. Her incoherent speech made it apparent she has lost it. Neighbors gathered, each with his own suggestion. While some suggested that Mrs. Stephen be taken to a psychiatric home, many others suggested that a prayer squad be invited. Finally, she was taken away to God-knows where. 5 days after she came back recovered, the family relocated from the house for fear of stigmatization.”
Mrs. Stephen mentioned in the story above was suffering from
SCHIZOPHRENIA a psycho-pathology (Mental illness) majorly characterized by psychosis or a loss
of contact with reality.
Cases of mental illness in Africa and many parts of the
world are still usually subjected to mundane and superstitious beliefs
including that, they are caused by evil spirits. Sufferers are most often taken
to spiritual homes for deliverance sessions, while hospitals and professionals are
only considered an option when the “Spiritual option” fails and patients’ situations
near a vegetative state. Sufferers too are continually subjected to all forms
of stigma including but not limited to: rejections, discriminations, and abandonment
among others, even from family members. This attitude towards mental illness
and the mentally ill can be linked to ignorance on the causes, and the existing
interventions or treatment for mental disorders, as no known notable efforts are
being made worldwide to sensitize the public on issues of mental health just
like is obtainable for HIV/AIDS, cancer etc.
Psycho-pathologies, mental
disorders, madness, mental illnesses (whatever you chose to call them) are
caused by, environmental or social factors such as: stressors e.g. a loss of a
loved one, an individual’s lifestyle e.g. smoking marijuana and alcohol abuse,
accidents (That directly affect the brain) among others, while in some cases
they are caused by genetics (Biological factor). No matter the form they take environmental/social
or biological, interventions exist for mental illnesses.
Individuals who suffer from
mental illnesses should be referred to general or psychiatric hospitals (Instead
of spiritual homes) where a psychiatrist or a (Clinical) psychologist (many
times both are involved) would assess the patient and provide the necessary
interventions for their recovery. As delay in the treatment of illnesses are
considered dangerous, cases of mental illness should be referred to these
professionals immediately they are noticed and not later.
It should be noted that nobody is
totally immune from mental illnesses as they can occur when causative factors
are triggered. It is necessary that people avoid as much as possible
environmental factors which can expose them to mental illnesses, while individuals
who have fallen victims to mental illnesses should be catered for. They need
your love and support for a quick and total recovery to full health.
