Health
Coping with Mental Illness
Lois Nwobodo explores the many shades of mental health, causes and remedies, using personal experiences
Every fourth person in Nigeria struggles with a form of emotional illness. Many physical illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and arthritis are connected to how we think and feel.
This is an introduction to emotional wellbeing and mental health as they relate to our experiences as humans on Earth.
From what we eat to what we attract.Let’s Begin with me
In January 2019, my sister accompanied me to an appointment. In the office where we sat, were well-cushioned brown cane chairs.
I focused my attention more on them than on the woman seated on one of them. She was my psychotherapist. I had come to see her.I donned a light purple flowing gown, like an Arab Imra’a. My eyes looked like they had not rested in days, so sunken. I was so thin that if you touched the clavicle on my neck, you may bleed.
Weeks before then, I had had a series of panic attacks. It is safe to say that I almost ran mad.
My family begged me to come seek help. I didn’t want to, another sign of mental ill health. To this day, I believe if they hadn’t come all the way to pick me up, you wouldn’t be reading this.
‘I want to die’ was my reply to the psychiatrist’s ‘Why are you here?’ What I really wanted to say was: ‘I need to die’.
But how did I, a beautiful brilliant lady, find death necessary? Why did I feel that powerless?
It Started from my Childhood
Before I tell you about it, let me ask you this: Have you ever sat with a person who hadn’t showered in days? Or who had been sweating profusely but seemed oblivious of how awful they smell? What if that person was you? Or your parents? Your spouse or kids?
You may not be able to stand yourself, let alone those people.
In many ways, that analogy describes what people do with their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Your inner being, your mind, ‘sweats’ and gets ‘sullied’.
How aware are you of that? What steps do you take to ‘cleanse’ it?
While you process that, let me tell you the result of my four-hour ‘cleansing’ visit.
The psychotherapist diagnosed me as having manic depression, otherwise, known as bipolar disorder. I was given a prescription and asked to return in two weeks. It’s been three years now. And thankfully, I no longer need the prescription.
Back to my childhood. I grew up among people. I believe my parents had what I term “love burn out”. I am the fourth of what became a nuclear family of 12, amidst an extended family that sometimes numbered 20 or more.
Because he felt a sense of responsibility, my dad, an empathetic man, let his siblings stay with us. There were six of them. Then there were his business partners and their partners.
Home Life was Public Life
Daddy was hardly present. He felt pressured to make money to support his siblings, his parents, his extended family, his friends and us.
He did make the money, for we didn’t lack basic necessities. Also, he was very keen on education: “Read. Read. Take First position. Read some more”, he would say.
My mum found it difficult dealing courteously with the many people in her husband’s life. I guess she was married too soon, she was 18. She coped by being somewhat thick-skinned and emotionally unexpressive.
I was constantly trying to prove myself, to prove that I was worth the love and affection I required to bloom. In time, I developed an aloofness, a disconnect.
Behavioural scientists call this Avoidant Attachment. Kids who grew up in an environment where their need for affection isn’t consistently reinforced develop pseudo- independence.
In their minds they think: “nobody wants me because I am not worth paying attention to”. Till this day, I struggle to keep relationships warm.
I also stammered badly. It must have started after I was sexually abused by a father figure (later by a relative, then a peer). My mum says I spoke fluently until then. I was five or six.
In secondary school, I would make up stories to fit in. Once, I told my friends that my parents had five of us, another time, they had three. I was ashamed of our ‘population’. I changed my state of origin many times. I just wanted so badly to be somebody else.
Despite these, I was an exceptional honors student, even in the University. In there, I led a triangular life: school, hostel, place of worship. I came out as the Best Graduating Student.
But I wasn’t always a powerless victim; I was also a powerless perpetrator. I developed quite a temper and struggled to control it. I still reel at the pain I caused my siblings for I was quite abusive.
From this vantage point, I can say that my parents did the best they could to raise us with the knowledge they possessed at the time. You can’t do more than you know, right?
In some ways, the environment shaped me to the person I am today. I’m grateful that they ingrained moral forthrightness in us and a sense of duty, a grind that propels hard work.
Before getting into the University , I set one lofty goal: I was going to be a missionary with or without a husband.
But my Love Life had Other Plans
I was a hopeless romantic. Even though I was well into my twenties before I started dating, I couldn’t handle it. In a way, I felt like a dog let out of the cage. I was hungry for love.
So I loved recklessly and made poor choices, not in the men I dated, but in the manner I treated them. Worse still, I felt powerless to change for the better.
The breakup of one of those relationships was a precursor to my mental breakdown. Psychology calls it a ‘trigger’. That breakdown was the beginning of beautiful things for me.
So I write to you, who is a parent, an entrepreneur, a teenager, a young adult, a singleton, a divorcee or widower/widow: a human on earth having life experiences, but who is tired of doing the same thing over and over again.
The experiences I share with you have made me powerful. They have taught me the true meaning of self-love and self-esteem. They are not expressed in physical or material things but in the way we see ourselves and our accomplishments.
Like you, I am a work-in-progress and I have learnt to express love to myself as I wanted my parents to. I no longer feel empty.
I am proof that no matter how deep in the mire of pain and suffering you are in, you can change that pain to power.
Remember that ‘cleansing’ we talked about earlier? You think you don’t need it. But you do. Why?
Well, Why Not?
Why have a shower or two everyday? Why brush your teeth or wash your clothes?
The best version of yourself begins with how your mind controls your outer and inner worlds.
Cleanse it!
The National Agency For the Control of Aids (NACA) says no fewer than 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occur each year in Nigeria.The Director-General, NACA, Mrs Temitope Ilori stated this on Thursday in Abeokuta during an advocacy visit focused on achieving an AIDS-Free Generation and building a sustainable HIV response in Ogun.
Ilori, represented by Dr James Anenih, the Director of Community Prevention and Care Service, noted that approximately 140,000 children between the ages of 0 to 14 were living with HIV. She added that 22,000 new HIV infections were recorded so far this year.She expressed concern over thePrevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), paediatric HIV coverage remains below 33 per cent of the 95 per cent target.She said hat Nigeria continues to face a significant challenge in preventing mother-to-child transmission of disease.Ilori appreciated the Ogun government for equipping selected health facilities to provide anti-retroviral therapy.She however expressed concerns that the state has a higher prevalence of 1.6 per cent than the national average of 1.4 per cent and the South West average of 1.2 per cent.“We acknowledge the great work your excellency has done in upgrading and equipping selected health facilities to provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART) from 22 sites in 2019 to 28 sites in 2023.“Also, the commissioning of the One-Stop-Shop and Community ART (CART) in Ogun East and Ogun West.“It is imperative to note that Ogun state has an HIV prevalence greater than the national average of 1.4 per cent and the South West average of 1.2 per cent.“There is an urgent need to halt and reverse the prevalence of the state from its current level of 1.6 per cent,” she said.Ilori said that no child in Ogun should be born with HIV, just as she tasked all pertinent partners to compile a comprehensive line list of children affected to expedite the country’s pediatric ART program.“The expectation is to have an AIDS-free generation at this point we are trying to make sure that all hands are on deck.“We’re looking at all of the various resources available to us and holding ourselves accountable so we can do more with reducing mother to child transmission or reducing the number of children born HIV positive,” Ilori added.In her response, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker stressed that the state’s HIV prevalence rate was critical.She commended the agency for visiting and inaugurating an 18-man PMTCT and Paediatric ART committee.She said that the committee would supervise the care of HIV-positive pregnant women to ensure that they do not have sufficient virus to infect their unborn children.Coker added that the committee would also place children who are positive on treatment to avoid the spread.NAN recalls that NACA said in 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded 75,000 new HIV infections and 45,000 HIV-related deaths.This the agency had said was alarming surge highlights significant lapses in the national response to this epidemic.(NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Government, FG, on Tuesday said as of October 13th, Nigeria has recorded 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths of Lassa Fever, have been reported across 28 states and 129 Local Government Areas, LGAs.
Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr.
Jide Idris, stated this while briefing the media, in Abuja, on prevention and creating awareness on Lassa Fever and Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), in the country.He said considering a steady increase in the number of states reporting Lassa fever cases, it is imperative to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of Lassa fever across the country.
According to the DG, “We have continued to see a steady increase in the number of states reporting Lassa fever cases. This rise is due, in part, to improved surveillance, better community awareness, environmental degradation from climate change, and other harmful human activities. In 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 LGAs. In 2023, 28 states and 114 LGAs reported confirmed cases, with 9,155 suspected cases, 1,270 confirmed cases, and 227 deaths.
“As of October 13, 2024, 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths have been reported across 28 states and 129 LGAs.
“Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat). Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus.
“The disease is also associated with significant loss of livelihood in the communities it ravages. Heads of households are unable to work when exposed to Lassa fever and when other household members are infected, the cost of care and treatment of the disease which is often significant strains existing household income pushing households toward poverty in a swift turn of events.
“Lassa fever outbreaks are highly virulent and the loss of human lives resulting from disease are not just statistics but represent the death of beloved family members, spouses, parents. Healthcare workers are also not excluded as there is a high chance of infection if proper infection prevention and control measures are not observed and experienced healthcare workers may die further straining the country’s already insufficient human resources for health.
While we continue to intensify efforts using an all-of-society approach, the public is hereby advised to note that the virus spreads through:
Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.
“Contact with objects, household items, and surfaces contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.
Consuming food or water contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.
Person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus, and other body fluids of an infected person”.
NCDC boss, said the symptoms for Lassa Fever, is like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease is 3 to 21 days. Early diagnosis and treatment of the diseases greatly increase the chances of patient survival.
People most at risk for Lassa fever are:
People of all age groups who come in contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.
He therefore advised the populace to ensure they always keep your environment clean, block all holes in your house to prevent the entry of rats and other rodents, cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly and communities should set up dump sites far from their homes to reduce the chances of the entry of rodents into their homes.
Also store food items such as rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc., in tightly sealed or well-covered containers, avoid drying food stuff outside on the ground or roadside, where it is at risk of contamination and eliminate rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps and other appropriate and safe means.
The Dr. Jide Idris, also spoke on prevention of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), said Nigeria recorded 4,915 suspected and 380 confirmed cases with 361 deaths across 174 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 24 States including the Federal Capital Territory.
However, noted that, weather conditions like the dry season that comes with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation.
He said, “The highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt” which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some southern states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun).
“In 2023/2024, Nigeria recorded 4915 suspected and 380 confirmed cases with 361 deaths across 174 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 24 States including the Federal Capital Territory. A total of 2, 281, 750 doses of Men5CV- ACWYX in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe covering 134 wards in the 13 LGAs. The campaign targeted individuals aged 1-29years, comprising 70% of the population.
He said CSM occurs when there is an acute inflammation of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord. This inflammation can be caused by infection with any of the following organisms – bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Injuries and certain drugs can also cause such inflammation.
“CSM is an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported all year round in Nigeria. However, weather conditions like the dry season that comes with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation. The highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt” which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some southern states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun)”, he stressed.
He lamented that, despite the progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccination over the last few years, CSM remains a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in Nigeria with annual outbreaks in high-burden states that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities.
He therefore said the disease spreads through,
direct person-to-person contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected persons and close and prolonged contact with an infected individual.
According to him, the symptoms for the disease include, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (pain on looking at bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered conscious levels. It may be more difficult to observe these signs in younger children, but irritability, poor feeding, and inactivity are common.
He therefore advised that the citizens should ensure they receive the appropriate vaccination required to protect against meningitis, avoid close and prolonged contact with a confirmed case of CSM including relatives, avoid overcrowding on households, schools dormitories, IDPs, prisons other communal settings and practice proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing.
Stop indoor air pollution, such as indoor cooking over open flames, practice good personal and hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitisers when necessary, always keep your environment clean and visit the nearest health facility immediately if you notice any of the signs and symptoms associated with CSM.
Nigeria and seven other African countries have begun a project to check HIV in the continent.
The project is tagged, Bringing Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology (BRILLIANT) for HIV vaccine research and development.
Prof Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director, International Research Centre of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology (IHVN), disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the briefing was, “HIV Vaccine, Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA) study.
”Abimiku said that the countries involved were Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique.
She said that the objective of the consortium is to evaluate HIV vaccine candidates emanating from the continent.
She added that the initiative was to harness and catalyse African scientists to contribute to an effective HIV vaccine.
“Through these efforts, African institutions will be encouraged to become more autonomous, generate domestic resource support, and form partnerships with the private sector.
“It will possibly create a more sustainable system for HIV vaccine research and development, which is progressively and inordinately dependent on the U.S government,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the partnership will acknowledge the potential of great innovation and science from Africa to solve global health challenges especially those that disproportionally devastate the continent.
Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that HIV still persisted in spite of efforts at controlling it, hence the need for new tools for prevention.
“The agency has continued to provide preventive measures, but an effective vaccine is crucial to our efforts.
“The BRILLIANT study offers hope for a vaccine tailored to the needs of our population, and Nigeria’s involvement in this global initiative is critical.
“Our participation supports both local and international efforts to end AIDS and brings us closer to a vaccine that could save countless lives across Africa and beyond,” she said.
She said that the BRILLIANT study exemplified the strength of global collaboration and scientific progress.
“Together, we can achieve our shared goal of eradicating HIV worldwide, and Nigeria is honoured to play a vital role in this endeavor,” she said.
Dr Ezekiel James, the Deputy Director of the office of HIV/TB from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAIDS), said that the study offered opportunity for stakeholders to combine efforts to achieve HIV epidemic control.
Similarly, Dr Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director, stressed the need to engage the community to create awareness of HIV vaccines and similar research that continues to break HIV transmission rates.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had, on Tuesday, named HIV, malaria, Tuberculosis, and 14 other pathogens as top priorities for new vaccine development.
Also, according to UNAIDS, there are an estimated 39.9 million people living with HIV across the globe in 2023, with an estimated 1.3 million new infections.
Africa has about 25.9 million (65 per cent) of the global burden with Nigeria, contributing about 1.9 million, making it the fourth largest HIV burden country globally.
The USAIDS awarded more than 45 million dollars to the BRILLIANT consortium through a competitive process to implement a cooperative agreement under the BRILLIANT project. (NAN)
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