As of 2017, more than 792 million people or roughly 10.7% of the global population suffer from mental health disorders. A study released by the Health Ministry in 2018 concluded that Namibia has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, ranked fourth in Africa and eleventh globally. The Covid-19 pandemic only exacerbated this epidemic. If you do not experience mental health issues yourself, you likely know at least one person who does.
Mental health disorders are not a sign of weakness, nor can they be treated by ‘toughing it out.’ Mental health disorders are medical problems, just like asthma or diabetes. In many cases, mental health issues require treatment, whether through deliberate lifestyle changes, medication, therapy, or a combination of these.
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Millions of people are pushing through what often feels like a struggle against themselves and millions more are trying to understand. But there’s a gap between those who understand and those who do not—awareness is the first step to closing that gap. Mental illness affects everybody regardless of race, colour, gender, age, or nationality. Some mental illnesses can be cured, while other conditions can be rehabilitated to sustain life and improve the quality of life. Outcome of treatment depends on early detection and intervention, proper follow-up, and rehabilitation. If you struggle from any mental health disorders, remember you are not alone.
TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Mental health issues encompass a variety of symptoms. Common disorders include anxiety, depression, bipolar, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. While anxiety, sadness, and fear are common emotions, mental health disorders last at least six months and present in a manner that interferes with daily life. Mental health disorders also can be high-functioning or debilitating. Some people may experience symptoms so severe that they are unable to participate in activities of everyday life. Others look fine on the outside but are struggling underneath a composed exterior.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobia disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Persistent excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, and irritability
- Panic attacks, which are uncontrolled, sudden bouts of extreme fear, with heart palpitations, elevated heart rate, sweating, shaking, and shortness of breath.
- Phobia disorders manifest as intense and sometimes irrational fear of certain situations or objects, including social interactions, flying, and needles.
Depression disorders
Depressive disorder is a medical issue that causes sadness, loss of interest, and decreased ability to function.
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Sadness and/or depressed mood
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide or death
Other depression disorders include postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder. Both postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder are triggered by very particular events. Postpartum depression occurs during or after pregnancy, in part because of the sudden hormonal changes. The seasonal affective disorder occurs when less sunlight in the winter months triggers temporary depression.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder has some similar symptoms to depression but is categorized separately. Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in mood and energy that affect daily life. There are multiple subtypes of bipolar disorder; the most common alternates between manic (very excitable, energized behaviour) and depressive episodes.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is one of the more severe mental illnesses. Untreated schizophrenia can disable a person. However, like many mental illnesses, schizophrenia does respond to appropriate medical interventions. One of the first signs of schizophrenia is a psychotic episode, in which an individual may struggle to discern what is real and what is not.
Schizophrenia symptoms may also include:
- Alterations in the five senses
- Abnormal thoughts and behaviours
- Hallucinations
- Delusions and paranoia
- Changes in speech patterns
- Loss of motivation and enjoyment in daily activities
- Reduction in expression and speaking
- Inability to concentrate and process information
Post-traumatic stress disorder
People often associate PTSD with war veterans. While this demographic is very prone to PTSD, it can affect anyone who has experienced an event they perceived as traumatic. PTSD is a chronic response to a scary or life-threatening event.
Symptoms of PTSD may include:
- Flashbacks, bad dreams, and terrifying thoughts related to the traumatic event
- Avoidance of people, places, objects, or thoughts related to the traumatic event
- Highly reactive behaviour such as anger outbursts and being easily scared
- Having trouble sleeping
- Excessive guilt about the event
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder presents as having overwhelming obsessions and/or compulsions. For example, obsessions can manifest as repeated unwanted thoughts (called intrusive thoughts) about harming themself or others, even if they don’t want to. Compulsions can cause a person to engage in excessive counting or cleaning. Some people check to make sure they locked the door. People with OCD may check several times out of compulsion, even after seeing they locked the door.
Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorders are classified as mental illnesses. Some individuals with eating disorders have other mental disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety disorder. Individuals who suffer from eating disorders may also be prone to suicidal thoughts or actions.
Anorexia nervosa involves the restriction of food and excessive exercise. Individuals with anorexia can become dangerously thin and are prone to medical complications, including infertility, heart damage, osteoporosis, anemia, and muscle loss.
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa may include:
- Frequently weighing themselves
- Restriction of food intake
- Excessive exercise
- Extreme thinness/emaciated frame
- Distorted body image, including continued attempts to lose weight even when underweight.
- Fear of weight gain and having normal body weight
- Brittle nails and hair
- Dry, yellowed skin
- Constipation
- Lowered blood pressure and pulse
- Chronic lethargy
Bulimia and anorexia can simultaneously occur in some individuals. However, they present with distinct symptoms. A recurring cycle of binge-eating and compensatory purging are the primary markers of bulimia. Purging is done through forced vomiting, laxative use, meal restriction, or excessive exercise. Untreated bulimia can lead to dehydration, gastrointestinal disorders, electrolyte imbalances, heart attacks, or strokes. Unlike those with anorexia, some individuals with bulimia may maintain normal body weight.
Symptoms of bulimia may include:
- Episodes of binging followed by purging
- Sore throat
- Eroded tooth enamel
Binge-eating disorder is part of bulimia and also exists as its own disorder. An individual who has bulimia will eat excessive amounts of food; however, they do not attempt to purge it. Many individuals who suffer from binge-eating disorders become overweight or obese.
Symptoms of binge-eating may include:
- Eating large amounts of food in very short periods of time
- Eating very quickly
- Eating to the point of physical discomfort
- Secretive eating
Autism Spectrum disorder
While other mental illnesses can occur at any point in life, autism spectrum disorder typically presents in the first two years. It is a lifelong disorder, but the quality of life can improve with treatment. The word spectrum indicates that the severity of autism can vary widely. Autism spectrum disorder affects one’s development, including social and functional development.
Symptoms of autism spectrum may include:
- Inability to make eye contact, look at others, or listen to others
- Not responding to their name
- Struggling with conversations and other social interactions
- Discontinuity between their verbal and nonverbal communication
- Fixation on one particular subject
- Inability to understand social cues or other people’s perspectives
- Repetitive behaviours including repeating words or phrases
- Becomes upset at small alterations in routine
- Sensory sensitivity to light, noise, fabrics, etc.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Some people may dismiss ADHD as a child being disorderly, but ADHD falls into the NIH’s list of mental health disorders. ADHD affects people of all ages, although it is frequently diagnosed in children. ADHD is marked by intense levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Individuals can have only one or a combination of those three behaviours.
ADHD symptoms may include:
- Careless mistakes at work or in school
- Problems focusing on conversations, lectures, reading, and meetings
- Struggling to follow directions
- Lacking organisation and easily misplacing objects
- Easily distracted and forgetful
- Extreme levels of fidgeting
- Leaving seat or room during class or meetings
- Nonstop talking and moving
- Often interrupting in conversations and activities
Substance abuse disorder
Substance abuse disorder occurs when a person is unable to control their use of addictive substances such as alcohol, medications, and drugs. On the severe end, substance abuse disorder can lead to addiction. As with eating disorders, individuals with substance abuse disorder may also have other mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar, PTSD, and anxiety.
Treating mental health disorders
As with many medical problems, there are treatments for mental health disorders. Treatments include cognitive therapies, medications, and lifestyle changes. You may feel stuck if you have a mental health disorder, but you are not stuck nor are you alone.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis, call the Lifeline/Childline Namibia at 061-226889.
Toll free lines in Namibia:
Child Helpline: 116
Gender-based Violence: 106
Crises Line: 061-232221
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Every challenge you face in life, is an opportunity to build resilience.
Every challenge you face in life is an opportunity to build resilience. Over the past few years, resilience has become a buzzword for a very good reason. The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges that have tested our physical and mental well-being. The strain on our healthcare systems and the rise in mental health issues have highlighted the importance of resilience in navigating these difficult times.
The Impact of a Crises or Challenges and on Productivity and Well-Being
The pandemic’s impact (as an example) on productivity has been profound. It has forced individuals and organisations to adapt quickly to new working conditions. For many, this meant shifting to remote work, balancing professional responsibilities with household duties, and finding new ways to stay connected with colleagues and clients. The effects of these changes on our productivity and overall work performance are significant and ongoing.
Emerging data reveal the extent of these impacts. Working mothers, for instance, have faced extreme levels of hardship, balancing work with increased household, childcare, and educational responsibilities. Healthcare workers have experienced alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Those with pre-existing mental health conditions or financial struggles have found the pandemic particularly challenging.
What is Resiliency?
Resiliency is our capacity to get through challenging times and return to our baseline state. At its core, resilience requires experiencing hardship or adversity. The COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions of significant disruption and distress, forcing us to activate our psychological immune systems and develop resilience skills in ways we never anticipated.
Building Resiliency: Key Takeaways
We’ve learned a lot about resilience through this pandemic. Here are some key strategies to build personal resilience in your life:
Creativity and Curiosity: A crises or a challenge as Covid – pushes us to find new ways to connect and engage with the world. From virtual events to drive-by celebrations, creativity abounded as traditional forms of entertainment and social interaction were no longer possible. Curiosity, a vital psychological skill, also grew as we took on new challenges and hobbies. When faced with discomfort or difficulty, being curious about the experience and finding creative solutions is crucial.
Capacity to Calm: Creating a sense of calm is essential for psychological regulation. This can be achieved through credible self-talk, mindfulness, and deep breathing practices. The pandemic has given us ample opportunity to explore these techniques, with a wealth of online resources available to guide us.
Connection and Belonging: Social connection is the number one preventative psychological factor in our lives. Regular, authentic connections with others remind us of our shared experiences and struggles, helping us feel less isolated and more supported. Deliberate and intentional connections are particularly powerful in fostering a sense of belonging and resilience.
Hope: Hope is a powerful motivator. Whether it’s hope for a better future, improved fitness, stronger connections, or simply making it through the day, hope helps us look beyond current struggles and believe in a better tomorrow.
Efficacy: Believing in our ability to succeed—known as efficacy—is critical for resilience. This belief helps us tackle daily challenges and work towards long-term goals. When we believe we have what it takes to overcome difficulties, we’re more likely to endure and thrive.
Productivity: Adapting and Thriving
The aftermath of COVID-19 has shown us that productivity isn’t about being constantly busy; it’s about working smarter. Many of us have had to rethink how we manage our time and energy to accomplish more with less. Here are some ways to boost productivity in the post-pandemic world:
- Embrace Remote Work Tools: Utilize project management software, communication apps, and other digital tools to streamline workflows and stay connected with your team.
- Set Clear Goals: Use the SMART criteria to set and track personal and professional goals.
- Prioritise Self-Care: Take regular breaks, practice mindfulness, and ensure a healthy work-life balance to maintain high levels of productivity.
- Stay Adaptable: Be open to new ways of working and continuously seek out innovative solutions to improve efficiency.
The journey to resilience and productivity is ongoing. By incorporating these strategies into our daily lives, we can navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic world and emerge stronger, more adaptable, and more productive.
Stay resilient and stay productive!
Desere
Please note: this blog post is not a substitute for ongoing mental health care, evaluation, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.