In this Study Session, you have learned that:
  • Mental illness is a state of disturbance in which an individual can not realise his/her abilities, interact negatively with others, cannot cope with the stressors of life and study, not work productively and fruitfully, and not contribute to his/her family and community.
  • Individuals with SMI are those with an illness that severely restricts their day-to-day activities, such as working in the fields, attending expected community activities like funerals, and carrying out their family responsibilities.
  • Depression is a mental illness characterised by low mood (sad mood) that affects one out of five women & one out of ten men during their lives.
  • People with depression have increased the risk of death from suicide and other physical conditions.
  • A patient with depression who has suicidal thoughts or plans, or may even have attempted to harm themselves and is believing, seeing or hearing things that are not true or real should be referred urgently.
  • If a patient is presented with talking and acting strangely or in a manner that you and others consider being abnormal, showing self-neglect, claiming to hear voices or see things that other people don't, being very suspicious, perhaps claiming that other people are trying to harm them, talking alone, says meaningless words or speaks in a strange language, behaving strangely e.g. running out of the house, running naked and neglecting or has difficulties in carrying out usual work, school, domestic or social activities suspect that he is a psychotic patient ( severe mental illnesses) and then refer him urgently.
  • Psychoactive substances are substances which, when taken into the body, have a major effect on the brain and can alter physical and psychological functioning.These substances are classified as depressants(alcohol), stimulants(khat and nicotine) and hallucinogens(cannabis) based on their actions on the brain.
  • Addiction is a condition where a person has uncontrollable drug cravings and takes the drug compulsively, despite the negative consequences associated with the substance use.
  • People with substance abuse problems often need increasing amounts of drugs to achieve the same effect (tolerance) and they show withdrawal symptoms after decreasing or stopping the use of the drug.
  • In cases of serious withdrawal symptoms, severe medical conditions or mental health problems, the person with a substance use problem should be referred to the nearest health centre for further assessment and treatment.
  • Epilepsy and dementia are conditions arising from problems in the functioning of the brain. Neither can be cured but treatment can significantly improve the quality of life of both sufferers and their families.
  • Traditional beliefs about epilepsy and dementia can result in prejudice and/ or shame and limit the take-up of effective treatment. You should address such beliefs carefully and sensitively.
  • You should refer for immediate assessment if you suspect status epilepticus.
  • Although there is no cure, there are ranges of medical management for managing the symptoms of dementia.
  • The three categories of risks in patients with mental illnesses are risk to self, risk to others and risk to property.
  • The main risk factors of suicide for patients with mental illnesses are suicidal thought and /or attempt, the severity of mental illness, substance misuse, social isolation and lack of support.
  • The goals to create community awareness about mental illnesses are mental health promotion and primary prevention, secondary prevention and tertiary prevention.
Last modified: Wednesday, 3 August 2016, 5:34 AM