The World Health Organisation ( W.H.O ) defined Health as follows ‘ Health is not just the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, social and mental well being’.

From the above, it is obvious that the mental well being of an individual is of utmost importance to the complete health of such an individual; as such the over emphasis on the physical health at detriment of the mental health will lead to undesirable effects.

Many illness are more common than many people think. However, the knowledge of what constitute mental illness and disability may not be widespread in the populace. Therefore this lecture seeks to educate us about mental health generally and mental disabilities.

Taboos about Mental illness   

There are taboos and misconceptions about mental illness which affects the attitude and disposition of people to the mentally ill; and this also affect the treatment seeking behavior.

1.      Mental health problem come as a result of witchcraft attacks.

2.      Mental health problem are due to demon possession.

3.      All people with mental health problems are very dangerous.

4.      Mental health problems are not amenable to treatment.

5.      Mental health problem cannot be cured.

6.      Mental health problem is a form of atonement for evil committed by the mentally challenged and/or their parents.

7.      Mental health problems are related to astrology, horoscope and specifically the movement of the moon in its orbit, hence the term ‘ lunatics ‘ is applied to the mentally challenged.

8.      Mentally challenged people are dangerous and therefore should be kept away from the people in asylums.

9.      Mental illness is not amenable to treatment and especially if a mentally ill enters the Market, he can never be treated again.

All the above are far from the truth.

Sources of Mental illness.

The sources of mental illness is from the brain; the most important body organ.

It is the center of the human thoughts and human emotions, that is why Yorubas call it ‘Arun Opolo’, which literally means ‘ disease of the brain’.

Types of Mental illness  

Two broad types:

1.      Organic mental illness :  Which means the mental illness follows another medical illness or condition. E . g Malaria fever , Typhoid fever, Diabetics etc.

2.      Functional mental illness : This means it does not follow another medical illness. Also this categories was used for mental illness which we do not the physical cause.

However, with recent advancement and investigations we now know there physical relationship to almost every mental illness ( especially in brain ).

Classification of Mental illness

Another way of looking at mental illness is to classify them as physical conditions or Neurotic conditions.

 Psychotic conditions: This conditions are such that the patient has lost touch with reality.

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 Symptoms of this include;  

·         Hallucinations; Hearing voices in the absence of people talking or seeing things in the absence of usual stimulus . Other terms are tactile or somatic etc.

·         Delusion; abnormal believes which are held on inadequate grounds and are not in keeping with the social, cultural, religious or educational background of the individual.

In other words, the society also determines what is normal to the peculiar society.

                     Other abnormal behaviours like:

-          Cross excitement.

-          Overactivity.

-          Marked Psychomoto retardations.

Neurotic Conditions :  This are stress related conditions in which the person is still in touch with reality but with behavioural abnormalities. This also include disorders like adjustment disorder or psychosomatic disorders. Psychosomatic disorders are psychological disorders that present with physical symptoms ( which maybe confused for physical illness ).

A brief list of common Psychiatric illnesses include the following ;

-          Dermatia.

-          Delirium.

-          Organic amnesic syndrome.

-          Prorcher resulting from psychoaetre substance used.

-          Schrophrenia.

-          Mood disordes – Maria, depression ( which accounts for burden of disease seemed only to Carchac disease).

-          Obsessive compulsive disorders.

-          Behavioural disorders associated with psychological disturbances like – Eating disorders, sexual disfunctions, non – organic sleep disorder etc.

-          Personality disorders.

-          Disorders of sexual preferences.

Causes of mental Illness

Includes the following;

-          Hereditary and Genetic factors.

-          Personality development problems.

-          Serious psychological stress.

-          Infections and Medical conditions e. g HIV, Malaria etc.

-          Head or Brain injuries.

-          Tumours of the Brain.

-          Alcohol and Drugs.

-          Epilepsy

Treatments : Contrary to the widespread believe that mental illnesses cannot be treated; there are many effective treatment options for mental illnesses. The extent of response to treatment and prevention of release or recurrence depend on things like;

-          Period between onset of illness and time of seeking treatment.

-          Compliance to Medication and follow – up ( especially when symptoms have abated ).

-          Nature of the illness.

The different treatment options available include:

-          Drugs.

-          Psychoterapy ( or talk therapy ).

-          Physical treatment e. g ectroconvulsine therapy.

-          Rehabilitation. Etc.

People also seek treatment in churches and traditional healers, but this is to be discouraged.

Stigmatization and Discrimination in Mental Disorder.

Stigma is a feeling of being negatively differenciated because of being affected by a particular condition or state. It is related to negative Stereotyping and prejudicial attitudes leading to discriminationary practices that deprive the stigmatized person from legal recognized entitlements.

Stigma stems from failure to empathize with the other person rather than just to sympathizing as well as prejudices and taboos.

In our environment, not only the person is stigmatized, but also the members of the family.

Stigma als occurs from the influences of the Media ( misconceptions as depicted in Home Videos ), and it shows in choice of words like ‘Mad’, ‘psycho,’ ‘ Aw ‘ etc.

Effects of Stigma.    

-          Discrimination.

-          Denial of Lawful Legal entitlements.

-          Barrier to Reintergration and Acceptability.

-          Disruption of social and family relationsips.

-          Employment.

-          Community Inclusion.

-          Treatment Opportunities. Etc.

Stress  

An area that needs special mention is the issue of stress. Stress is a normal psychological response of the body to situations or Situations or stimuli which are perceived as dangerous to the body.

Although stress in minimal level is needed for performance when it is overwhelming and frequent it affects the health – both physically and mentally.

These stress response occurs in order for the individual to cope with the demands of the situation.

It involves increase in some chemical like Adrenalin which helps to increase the heart rate and pumps blood to the muscles and helps to increase vision so that the person can run from the site of danger.

However, in present day, everyday issues like during traffic, writing exams, giving a presentation, misunderstanding with your spouse etc gives the same effect. All these affect the physical and mental health of individual and can lead to mental illness. We therefore need to know how to manage stress to maintain our health.

Ways of avoiding and managing stress include; time management, planning, exercise, meditation, relaxation etc. Further discussion on stress and stress management is beyond the scope of this presentation.