The Express Tribune hi five - November 15

Ms NOVEMBER 15, 2015

ISSUE NO. 178

Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Female Friendship in the Media

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inside En vogue —

A burst of colours

Domestic goddess — Chicken puff pastry

Section In-Charge: Dilaira Dubash Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Designer: Umar Waqas Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk

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Get Up and Get Going

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The buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

By Zohaib Amjad The occurrence of DID — formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder — can be traced back to the early 16th Century. Since then, the disorder has frequently been toyed with in movies such as Raising Cane, Secret Window and cult classic Fight Club but rarely understood. In fact, experts argue that the portrayal of DID as per the film world has been in stark contrast to its actual nature. There is still much to be learned and understood about it before one can separate DID from the stigma surrounding mental illnesses in general.

To be able to appreciate a personality disorder completely, one must first understand exactly what personality is. Medically speaking, different feelings which make us behave in certain ways are called ‘ego states’ that make up the initial characteristics of one’s personality. A doctor, for instance, may be extremely stoic and professional at work but the opposite when playing with children. Unfortunately, at times, some traumatic experiences push the different ego states to lose all forms of communication with one another. With no harmony in between, one tends to dissociate to adapt the different alters and keeps no memories of the other states.

According to Dr Amanat Mohsin, a psychiatrist at the Gulshan Psychiatric Hospital in Karachi, different alters can adapt a completely different identity, with a different name and gender. “These alters have different histories tied to them,” he explains.

“The patient adopts a completely distinct verbatim and perception of situations altogether.” Moreover, the National Alliance of Mental Health claims that on average, a person possesses 10 alters although the numbers can go up to 100. For 26-yearold art student Layla Kanwal*, the dissociation is cumbersome to the extent that she does not remember how she travelled to a particular destination. “I would have to question people about the unfamiliar places I am at,” shares Layla.

A common misconception people have regarding DID is that its occurrence is rare compared to other mental disorders. Recent research, however, proves otherwise.

It has been found that DID exists in 1-3% in some of the populations. Not to mention, incidents of the condition have risen over the past 20 years, with 90% of the afflicted patients being females. The causes remain debateable but a strong correlation with childhood negligence, physical and sexual abuse is apparent.

What is rare is the development of DID in full-grown adults as their identities have already been constructed. Children, on the other hand, are still impressionable with half-formed, malleable thoughts and ideas. Trauma in the tender ages can therefore perpetrate a severe effect on their growth as individuals. According to the research undertaken by French psychologist Piere Janet, this period of vulnerability ranges from 18 months to eight years of age wherein a child is particularly susceptible to abuse and trauma.

In a nutshell, when a child is exposed to trauma, the primitive parts of their central nervous system (with roles in ‘fight or flight responses’) are over-activated as a means of coping. Physically incapable of fighting or fleeing, children resort to fantasy play, emotional numbing and dissociation from the troubled present, and the negative memories are stowed away in the other regions of their brain. As time moves on, these traumatising memories are kept away from their awareness, enabling children to develop other aspects of their personality.

But even the most trivial of exposures to the same trauma can bring back all

the hidden memories and trigger DID. It is for this reason that the use of ‘multiple personality disorder’ was eliminated in the year 1994, as it erroneously gives the idea of a proliferation of personalities. In reality, different ego states are not bridged together due to the abuse. The identity is fragmented, leading to more than one personality.

People afflicted with DID pay the price for someone else’s deeds. Awareness must be spread to eradicate it from the world. Be it books or inspirational videos to experiences and feelings, all platforms are being utilised to accommodate DID patients and bring them closer to others. Even eminent talk shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show or Dr. Phil have hosted patients. A National Multiple Personality Day is also celebrated on the 5th of March to stand in support of the patients.

DID can be severely debilitating for a patient’s social and professional lives, especially considering the ease with which the different alters can switch upon the slightest exposure. Since alters have different memories, an afflicted person may not be able to recognise the people who already seem to know them. Patients may also fail to recall items that they may or may not have bought. Consequently, opportunities start to narrow down, leading to frustration and anti-social behaviour. DID also causes reductions in overall productivity and quality of life. Research highlights that patients have a strong inclination towards suicide, self-mutilation and substance abuse.

Other symptoms include: • Fluctuating levels of functioning, from highly effective to complete indolence • Headaches or pain in other parts of the body • De-personalisation (feelings of disconnect or detachment from one’s thoughts and body) • De-realisation (perception of reality as unreal) • Depression • Irregular eating and sleeping patterns • Anxiety, nervousness and panic attacks • Recurrent dreams of physical and sexual abuse • Hallucinations (found in nearly one third of all patients)

Due to the unfortunate stigma associated with mental disorders in our part of the world, patients are often discouraged from reporting their symptoms. Many families are reluctant about paying the doctor a visit and their neglect aggravates the condition. As the very nature of DID is embedded in family ties and care, adults generally avoid addressing their children’s symptoms in an attempt to avoid what might have caused them in the first place. And even if medical assistance is sought, diagnosing DID can be very tricky as tangible methods such as blood tests cannot prove it. “The reason is that this disorder teams up with numerous other disorders. Its symptoms strongly corroborate with bipolarism, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),”explains Dr Amanat. Apart from this, its nature and extent of DID varies from patient to patient. For instance, after years of battling with bipolar and

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

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attempted suicides, patients may be diagnosed with DID. Another plausible explanation is that dissociation forms a hindrance to self-monitoring and accurate reporting of symptoms.

Nonetheless, reports show that there is a strong probability of leading a well-adjusted life with timely and effective treatment. The different treatment options include: Psychotherapy: This is generally the go-to treatment for DID, administered with the objective to improve the patient’s relationship with others and make the patient feel more comfortable about their past. Medications to curtail depression, severe anxiety and impulse-control problems are administered. However, caution needs to be taken whilst prescribing drugs to patients as they may feel controlled and a state of trauma may be triggered.

Electroconvulsive therapy: This may be administered if medications and other lines of treatment to treat severe depression fail.

Self-help initiatives: Large community-based on and off-line support groups where patients can meet others of their kind. *Name has been changed to protect privacy Zohaib Amjad is a scientist with majors in molecular pathology.

He tweets @infectiousuni

Design by: Nabeel Khan

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En vogue

Bushra Wahid’s latest collection will paint your world with bold and emblematic colours Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair and makeup: Saba Ansari at Sabs Label: Attire by Bushra Wahid Photography and styling: Rohail Khaled Model: Eqra Faiz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

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Lifestyle

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

By Naima Qamar

T

he dedication and effort displayed by the Pakistani showbiz industry over the past few years really ought to be commended. Not only has it been churning out fresh material successively but also seems to have become bigger than ever before, considering the number of award shows, parties and internal premiers being held. Suffice it to say that the media is now strong enough to elucidate topics like rape and extra-marital affairs that up until recently were taboos in our society. The industry is burgeoning indeed and burgeoning with that are the storylines being shown.

Unfortunately, not all change is good change and nowhere else is this more apparent than in the portrayal of female friendship in the media. It is often said that what is depicted in art is a reflection of society. If this is to be held true then women must have lost the ability to maintain cordiality with one another as this is what current drama serials seem to profess.

Perhaps a brief comparison between storylines of the yesteryears and those of today would help. Dhoop Kinarey — Haseena Moin’s most successful play from the 1980s — for instance showed the beautiful companionship between Dr Zoya Ali Khan and Anji, played by Marina Khan and Kehkishan Awan, respectively. Similar, yet different, is the basis of their relations. Both Zoya and Anji grow up in adjacent houses and remain best friends, helping one another through love, life and everything in between.

Juxtapose this with the most successful Pakistani serials of the past few years.

You will notice a pattern in that almost all of these involve a girl-vs-girl angle in some context of the other. We could be faced with an intense love triangle or the not-so-secret resentment of a dark-skinned girl towards her prettier sister; the concept is almost always there. The example of the 2010 hit Daam is of particular importance here. Herein, Sanam Baloch and Aamina Sheikh played the roles of Zara and Maleeha — two girls whose strong friendship surpassed their socio-economic differences. In fact, they were veritable sisters until Maleeha realised she did not want her brother to marry Zara as she was poor. And so, their relationship gradually deteriorates. Similar was the storyline of 2008’s Doraha which starred Sanam Baloch and Sonia Rehman in the lead roles of Shahla and Sarah. Once again, the duo’s closeness is put to the test by a shared love interest: Umer played by Humayun Saeed.

One can refer to the Bechdel-Wallace Test for further assistance as it has been developed specifically to gauge whether two female characters (in a fictional setting) can converse about anything other than another man. Of course, the test is more apt for the Western media but if it is conducted in Pakistan, the results would probably blame men for weakening female friendships. Whether it is a father, brother,

husband or mutual crush does not matter. The viewpoint of men in describing women as friends matters most and often shatters the bond between them. It is even more unfortunate that the women fail to defend their relationships with more effort.

But the real question is, have women actually disregarded feelings of love and compassion towards one another? Is art — as the saying goes — really imitating life? For some youngsters like Maria Khan, it certainly does seem so. “Times have changed and the people of today are much more individualistic. They don’t want to compromise on anything,” says Maria, who is an avid fan of local television productions. “It is natural for one to desire all the good things in life but hard to see another with them.” Her view hints at the concept of envy for what another might have, thereby making one think of them as an adversary. It would be difficult for anyone to develop a sound friendship when such feelings of competition exist, regardless of their gender. Technology and the rise of the nuclear family can also be argued to have diminished social ties in general.

Of course, most women tend to disagree with the idea that they might be incapable of sustaining healthy relations with fellow women. University student Aqsa Jawed, for instance, has had a tight group of female friends since her school days and never felt any friction against any of them. “It has been a source of great emotional support. My friends understand me, my sense of humour, and my bad hair days and when I need a boost of confidence,” says Aqsa. “Supporting one another is an integral part of our friendship, be it for a diet or anything else. We take each other’s experiences and problems seriously — much better than some siblings or cousins even.”

Aqsa’s fellow student, Iqra Khan agrees. “It is a misconception that we cannot help each other. It is only women who can truly understand what another woman is going through,” she says. “That is why even the smallest compliment means the world when it comes from another girl. It means she has approved of you and your struggles. Most importantly, a woman will never ridicule another one for being too emotional!”

Perhaps the fault lies within the writers of our media who ought to create stronger female characters who can hold their own. The plotlines must become more inspiring, with women who are happy, confident and demand their rights despite an unhappy marriage or problematic in-laws. Instead of pulling ourselves and each other down, women must be shown as creating space for others. This is not to advocate against men but to help women achieve more out of their lives.

Bio: Naima is an aspiring lawyer and part-time writer.

Design by: Essa Malik

Domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

By Huba Akbar

Triangular chicken puff pastry

A light and airy appetiser for your next tea party

Tamarind (Imli) Chutney Simple yet delicious, this tamarind chutney is sure to be the ideal condiment to your finger foods. Whether it is spring rolls or samosa, the tangy fruit tastes great with everything and adds an extra zest to the dish. Read on to find out how you can prepare the perfect tamarind chutney right at home!

Ingredients

PHOTO: HUBA AKBAR

For the dough: • Whole wheat flour 2 cups • Salt 1 tsp • Oil 2 tbsp • Water as required For the chicken filling: • Chicken breast (boiled and shredded)1/2 kg • Medium-sized onions (chopped) 2 • Green chilies 3 • Minced garlic 2 tsp • Minced ginger 1 tsp • Oil 2 tbsp • Butter 2 tbsp • Coriander powder 1/2 tsp • Red chili powder 1/2 tsp • Red chili flakes 1/2 tsp • All-spice powder (garam masala) 1 tsp • Salt to taste

M Method F the dough: For • Sieve the flour along with salt and add oil to it.

• Pour in a little water and knead to form dough. You may even use a stand mixer if you please.

• Once the dough is ready, divide it into about 12 or 14 medium-sized pieces.

• Roll each piece of dough into a ball and cover it with oil and flour.

• Roll each ball into medium-sized circles that are neither too thick nor thin in consistency.

For the chicken filling: F • Chop all the ingredients and place them in a small bowl.

• Add some flour, egg and olive oil to the mix to create a sticky paste.

• Apply small portions of the paste to each piece of dough, focusing on the corners and edges. This will act as an adhesive and bind the dough together.

• Once the dough is ready, begin filling each piece with the chicken batter. Top it off with some fresh coriander.

• Seal each piece securely, making sure all the air seeps out.

• Deep fry the triangles and serve with cold chutney. Your dish is now ready!

Tamarind 1/2 cup Jaggery (gurr) 3/4 cup Red chili powder 1 tsp Cumin powder 1 tsp Water 1 and 1/2 cups Black salt (kaala namak)1/4 tsp Salt

• To prepare the chutney, begin by removing all the seeds from the tamarind and boiling it in warm water for about eight to 10 minutes. If you do not wish to boil, simply soak it in regular water for 30 minutes. The tamarind should be soft by the end, regardless of the method used.

• Once it has cooled down, prepare the pulp by crushing the tamarind either by hand, spoon or an electric mixer.

• Transfer the pulp to a mediumsized saucepan and add the jaggery, boiling the mixture until the latter has dissolved completely. This must be done on medium flame.

• Add the red chili powder, cumin powder, salt and black salt in and mix thoroughly. If you wish for sweet chutney, increase the amount of jaggery added until your desired taste is achieved.

• Turn the flame off and allow the chutney to cool at room temperature.

• Tamarind chutney tastes best when it is chilled so try and serve it straight from the refridgerator if possible.

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

The situation is temporary ... it will not affect the exchange of artists. Bollywood is a business-oriented industry and they will keep hiring Pakistani artists till it is profitable for them. Besides, the intolerance is coming from just one regional party, not all of India.

It is sad to see a country that claims to be progressive and secular breed such extremism. I don’t know who to blame, a handful of extremist politicians or a country allowing this to happen?

Singer Umair Jaswal

Singer Junaid Khan

Exercising for fitness is not just a lifestyle change.

For most of us, it is a daily struggle. Research indicates that one out of every five people give up on exercise just within the first two weeks of trying. Interestingly, one of the chief causes of this complacency is that the exercised routines become too monotonous too quickly. Therefore, motivation is key if one is to adhere to their fitness regime.

Below are some ways that can boost your energy and keep you on your toes, even when all you feel like doing is quit. Read on and be on your way to a fabulous and fit new you!

I can’t really say much since I have not been following the news of late. But I do know that art and talent can never be restricted no matter where they come from. The history of the subcontinent is complicated, yes. But art has nothing to do with politics and religion or anything of the sort. So why not appreciate it?

Actor Mehwish Hayat

Too much cardio: While cardio is indeed a very beneficial form of exercise that guarantees instant results, it doesn’t work with the popular misconception of ‘more the better’. In fact, spending long periods of time doing cardio, particularly continuous, low-intensity cardio, can actually be counterproductive. Therefore, make sure your routine comprises of different forms of exercise to reap maximum results and keep demotivation at bay.

Love what you do: In order to ensure good health along with mental satisfaction, one should only indulge in a set of exercises that they love and enjoy. Ideally, this should be something they can do at their current fitness level.

Mix it up: The human body is surprisingly good at adapting to different things. Once we perform the same exercise repeatedly, our muscles adjust to make that exercise easier. As a result, the body is — after some time — no longer being challenged to the same degree as before. This prevents us from developing body strength, but if we play around with different techniques we can gain much strength and enjoy exercise too.

Get a massage: After a week or two of extensive movement, our bodies tend to become sore, making it almost impossible for us to move normally and carry out other daily activities. Many beginners are so put off by the pain that they quit the whole process altogether. A deep-tissue massage, at least once every two weeks, can help ease the tired muscles out and expedite our recovery and performance. Massages also inadvertently decrease the chances of an exercise injury.

Get off the scale: As soon as we start any workout, we become a little obsessive and start checking our weight again and again. In actuality, it is the most harmful misconception as getting in shape has nothing to do with weighing less. In fact, the ratio of muscle to fat is far more important than what the scale can reveal. So forget about the digits on the screen and focus on what you can do about it.

Design by: Essa Malik SOURCE: BUZZFEED.COM