SCHIZOPHRENIA, BI-POLAR, DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL DISORDERS

In Nigeria, awareness and knowledge of Mental Disorders is at its lowest, making it difficult for people to access adequate and prompt medical attention. 

Factors such as lack of health facilities, low socioeconomic status reduces the number of patients getting proper mental health care.

Mental health, as defined by World Health Organisation (WHO) is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. It includes how we feel about ourselves, how we feel about others and how capable we are of meeting the demands of life. 

Mental Disorder on the other hand, according to WHO is collectively all diagnosable mental disorders or health conditions that are characterised by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.

It has been researched that the common types of mental health disorders affecting Nigerians includes the following:

SCHIZOPHRENIA

It is the most severe form of functional mental illness affecting most Nigerians and is also found to be the most common mental disorder worldwide. It is commonly described as a severe, chronic and disabling mental disorder characterised by psychotic episodes with recurring functional periods of disordered thought process. It mainly affects perception and thinking; hence, gives rise to a spectrum of clinical scenarios. 

Common symptoms of schizophrenia include:

Delusions - An unshakable theory or belief in something false and impossible, despite evidence to the contrary; 

Hallucinations - involve hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or even tasting things that are not real; Disturbance of thought - Intrusive thoughts or mental images of harming/killing ones spouse, parent, child, or self,Repeatedly worrying that one has or will physically assault another person, Repetitive thoughts that one has said or written something inappropriate; 

Disorganised speech - . A person engaging in disorganized speech might quickly jump from one unrelated topic to another, engage in incoherent “word salad,” repeat things another person says back to them, or appear to be speaking with nonexistent entities;

Difficulty in concentration and poor memory.

ANXIETY DISORDER

This is a heterogeneous group of disorders with abnormal fear and stress as the main underlying disorder. Anxiety is said to be a mental disorder when symptoms interfere with the individual’s normal day to day productive activities. 

It’s harmful effects outweigh its benefits because fear and stress is necessary for human survival. 

An anxiety disorder involves an excessive or inappropriate state of arousal characterised by feelings of apprehension, uncertainty or fear.
 This Anxiety can be differentiated into Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD)-people with GAD feels anxious and worry excessively almost every day for at least 6 months. For the most part, people with GAD report either that they are "always worried".

Panic Disorder (PD)- A panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear or discomfort, which includes at least 4 of the following symptoms: racing or pounding heart,sweating,shaking or trembling.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)- Sufferers of OCD have the need to constantly check on people or items because they generally fear that something bad will happen if they stop checking.

Phobic disorder - The fear can be of a certain place, situation, or object. Unlike general anxiety disorders, a phobia is usually connected to something specific.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Acute stress disorder - Acute stress reaction (also called acute stress disorder, psychological shock, mental shock, or simply shock) is a psychological condition arising in response to a terrifying or traumatic event, or witnessing a traumatic event that induces a strong emotional response within the individual.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness - is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

 These moods range from periods of extremely elated and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes).

DEPRESSION

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

These amongst other mental health disorders prevail in our society, With each of these disorders having distinct clinical futures.

Before now, I myself didn’t know that I’ve had a mental disorder, I been think say nah normal. Thank God for awareness. 

I kindly urge you to help share, to increase awareness of mental health disorders. 

Also do not hesitate to contact a healthcare provider if you experience any of the above symptoms or contact me.

Pharm G B. IDAMKUE

Reference:

1. link accessed on the 3rd of April, 2018

2. link accessed on the 4th of April, 2018

3. link accessed on the 6th of April, 2018
4. link accessed on the 6th of April, 2018