COREHEALTH
Issue 1 Vol 1
3 June 2016 Price: 35.00
Know Yourself . Love Yourself
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EDITORIAL
Mental health and ignorance by Thabo Gaobuse
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here is nothing lonelier than being a human being. There is a certain expectation of conformity in people, an abstract idea of what it means to be a normal person, but we hardly ever fit the mould. And when you have a mental illness outside of your control, you are further isolated and unable to conform. Mental illness is as much a social issue as it is personal. It is society that labels mentally ill people as deviant rather than having an illness. Instead of having a medical condition, individuals are seen as misbehaving and pariahs. Our publication aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness as “mass media gives a very bad image to people with mental illness by labelling them as being dangerous, violent and criminals� as quoted from UKEssay, an online essay and dissertation writing service for students. It serves to comfort those with mental illness while normalizing conditions, as well as bring awareness about mental health. It is the reinforcing nature of media that creates stigma about mental health and it is media that can help remake it. In creating this publication, we hope to shine a light on
the human aspect of mental illness and bring a sense of companionship and understanding amongst our readers. We hope to explore, not only the difficulty with having a mental illness, but what this means in a social setting. The provisions given to people with mental illness, what steps in regulations have been taken and could be advocated for and why this is an issue for all of us, as we are all affected by mental illness one way or another. Society cannot persist in the erasure of mental illness to the detriment of people whose fault is being born with the propensity for it. The injustices suffered by individuals because of the purposeful and pernicious ignorance of mental health by the public and media should no longer remain as a reason why individuals should be discriminated against for things that are out of their control. This publication serves as a platform for those without a voice and desperately need a sign of empathy and understanding from a community of like-minded people, sufferers of mental illness and those affected.
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CONTENTS #RUAWARE
Contents 4
Social Anxiety, how it is misunderstood
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Me vs the World 7 Understanding ADHD 8 Romaticising Eating Disorders 11 Love & Psychosis 12 Debunking Suicide Myths Depression Therapy
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CREDITS CREDITS Editor Jessica Bokete Assistant editors Demi Buzo Karabo Baloyi Designer Thabo Gaobuse Photographer Alex Marshall Creative consultants Jessica Bokete Karabo Baloyi Demi Buzo
Special Mention Annchen Naude (Front cover art)
#RUAware No Health without Mental Health by Alex Marshall
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Image: Alex Marshall
ith 1 in every 6 South Africans suffering with mental health disorders (Dr. Lund, C. et al. nd.), it is evident now more than ever that drastic change needs to occur in the form of educating people about mental health. Mental health is as much a societal issue as it is a personal issue for those suffering. All too often the stigma surrounding mental illnesses result in sufferers going about their illnesses alone, without seeking help due to being labelled as abnormal. According to Dr Crick Lund and his colleague of the University of Cape Town, five of the total 10 leading causes of disability are mental health disorders. This is likely to increase from 13% to 15% by 2020 due to the fact that mental health disorders account for a large 13% of the total DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years). Increasing the priority of mental health issues as to equate them with any other mental or physical disorder is essential to achieving better mental health in the future (Dr. Lund, C. nd.). A lot of the time, mental illnesses present as what could be interpreted as symptoms common to those in everyday life, and in turn, the illness goes undiagnosed or unnoticed. Because of this, there is little understanding surrounding mental health as a whole. As a sufferer, it is important that one does not overlook any possible symptoms that may arise. If there is any hesitation or thoughts surrounding the possibility of a mental illness, then help should be sought after. Too many people are suffering in silence and it should be understood that people of all ages can be affected. If left untreated, or undiagnosed, these mental illnesses could become more severe and lead to other physiological disorders. Understanding mental health is imperative in the world today and there cannot be health without mental health.
Student wellness, an issue? By Demi Buzo
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ellness is an important part of every human’s life that concerns an individual’s well-being and ensuring that all the different aspects of life are in balance, in ordevr to maximise their full potential. Mental health issues in particular, are prevalent and pertinent important issues at Rhodes University. These mental health issues affect various aspects of individual`s lives such as their social relations, behaviour, thinking and academics. Every year students attempt to or commit suicide. This is largely due to them not having coping mechanisms or support systems to aid them in dealing with their mental illnesses. Some students turn to unhealthy behaviour that involves heavy drinking, drug usage and irresponsible sexual behaviour. There are many students at Rhodes University that suffer from various mental illnesses such as depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and the like. These mental difficulties often manifest into learning difficulties, and as a result students battle to juggle their mental illnesses and their academics. Many of these students feel misunderstood, isolated and others incompetent compared to their counterparts. Students are often unaware of where to receive help, while others refrain from seeking help because of social stigmas that lead to them being discriminated against and ostracized by others. This is evident from the outcries on the Rhodes Confessions Facebook page, where confessors want some form of help but are fearful and reluctant. There are numerous where cases students have dropped out of university, due to not coping with their mental health issues within the hostile university environment. Studies show that students with depression are twice as likely to drop out of university as their counterparts. Many of these matters are left under the radar and go unspoken about. Student wellness is a matter that is taken seriously at Rhodes University, as the university has different forms of support systems in place to help students. These include the Counselling Centre, wellness leaders in and outside of residences, as well as policies such as exam concessions. These efforts are noticeable; however mental health issues are sometimes taken lightly until an unfortunate event occurs where a student fails academically or until someone attempts to take their own life. More awareness and acceptance of mental health issues needs to be created within the university, in order to transform society by eradicating ignorance, stigma and to potentially save lives. Understanding the lives’ of these students through critical engagement with related material will go a long way in creating this much needed awareness.
Gregory Wilmot, counselling psychologist at Rhodes University. Image: Alex Marshall
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Social Anxiety how it is misunderstood
Image sourced: Ben Noel
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By Jessica Bokete
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ental health is prevalent topic in our society however not many people consider the effects of social anxiety disorder. This disorder is characterised by persistent fear of being in social situations or taking part in social performances. It affects millions of people especially those aged 15-20, a report says. According to the Mayo Clinic, Social Anxiety disorder is developed through a complex interaction of environment and genes. It can be inherited through family genes or witnessing anxious behaviours of others. The clinic also found that the amygdala, a structure in the brain, influenced fear response and those with an overactive amygdala experienced anxiety. Social Anxiety Disorder is still heavily misunderstood by the general public and some healthcare practitioners. Often patients are misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or depression. Dr Thomas Richards of the Social Anxiety Institute, says that patients do not know of their condition and out of fear keep it to themselves. Many fail to realise that Social Anxiety Disorder is part of everyday life whether be feeling nervous in a grocery store or fearing public transport. People who suffer from social anxiety can experience panic attacks before or during their feared situation. It also affects children as it can lead to a decline in school performance and classroom participation. A report from Health 24 states that children can display their anxiety by crying or throwing tantrums when placed in social situations. Some students at Rhodes University suffer from social anxiety disorder says Elretha Bartlett, an intern psychologist at the University’s counselling centre. Bartlett adds that “students are in a phase in their lives where they still need to construct their identities so they are very aware other people’s criticisms and comments about them”. She found that the students she had encountered were nervous and anxious in social situations. Bartlett suggested therapy as treatment that would allow the students to uncover the reasons behind their anxiety and learn techniques to cope with it. Anti-depressants can be used to ease the anxiety. If left untreated, social anxiety becomes restless and can lead to depression.
Me vs the world By Thabo Gaobuse
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Image: Thabo Gaobuse
hen Anthony Foller (alias), the second of two sons, was about 17, he turned from a once high flying student into a slump of lethargy, bent over his desk and struggling with school work. Behind the appearance of his being rebellious, behind the misunderstanding of his behaviour, was a child suffering from Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD), unknowing, lost and a victim of his own biology and the ignorance surrounding him. Living in Cape Town, he attended school at Doicesan College where he did well until his matric year. His grades fell when he was two terms in. Upon seeing his school counsellor, he felt infantilized, his condition reduced to a teenage phase, and he thought that he might be under the suspicion of using drugs. “It’s like they don’t even teach school counsellors to refer someone to someone else,” the now Anthony, a University of South Africa (UNISA) graduate in Psychology and Criminology (2013), said with a look of incredulity across his face. His brows furrowed above his brown eyes shielded by his frameless spectacles as he sat there in his black leather jacket. The rain taking turns with the cold just outside the window behind him. Upon seeing how their son was not coping, his parents decided to take him to a therapist where he was diagnosed with ADHD. Soon, he was put on Ritalin and his marks began to improve. On reflection, Anthony speaks about his experience at school: “They didn’t spot me in class. They just thought I was lazy. [When people behave like this,] it is either they don’t care or they don’t know.” After graduating from UNISA, he started studying part-time, working at Valkenburg Hospital as a psychologist before coming to Rhodes University. In his first year, however, it happened. With ADHD being comorbid with depression and bipolar disorder, Anthony found himself face-to-face with a fist full of sleeping pills and an anguish that needed their cure. His new prescription of medication exacerbated his condition. His body physically hurt and all he thought of was escape. At that moment, he admits that “having done psychology definitely helped me because you can understand the processes. If I had gone through this without having any knowledge… it’s the not knowing that is the worst because you don’t know things can get better.”
Having survived his suicidal episode, Anthony later returned to his psychiatrist to exchange the pills. He now takes a regiment of pills routinely. He likens his routine to the necessity of having to put on glasses every day or taking your heart medication. “The medication I’m on now makes me ‘me’,” he says. Because of the medication, Anthony is able to do the things he wants to do without the fear that the chemical imbalance in his brain may lead him to treachery, self-loathing and regret. “You want to perform actions where you can be like ‘I’m happy with the decisions I’ve made’,” he says. Now, Anthony is in his third year majoring in Journalism and Politics, but still feels a strong pull to Psychology. “I think I’ve always been interested in Psychology because I’ve always wanted to understand my own psychology, about why I do certain things and how I feel about certain things.” His friends describe him as meaning quite well, although he can sometimes go overboard due to his bipolar. Although Anthony has been diagnosed as unipolar, that is he does not get to experience the manic state bipolar people do, but rather is either very low or normal, his friends paint a slightly different picture than this. Recalling times Anthony suffered a hubris, believing himself to be unique and superior to all human beings, they might have excused his behavior, however, he became more and more obsessed about his new found state, even going as far as taking a brain scan to prove his point. There were no abnormalities to show however, but this did not stop him from seeking more proof of his superiority. They recall his depressive moods as him not coming out of his room and not attending meals. On the opposite end, he would have episodes of reckless behavior, experimenting with recreational drugs in his precarious state. Whether it was his condition or the man himself became unclear. He hurt a few people. Lost friends along the way. Lost trust. The suspicion hung that perhaps it was more than just ADHD, depression and bipolar, and even though they tried to help, help also had its limits. Who is the man and who is the illness? As Anthony would describe it, mental-illness is not like a broken limb – it does not exhibit itself for all to see. And that is what makes it difficult to understand and acknowledge in our societies.
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UNDER ADHD
standingAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder By Demi Buzo
Image sourced: JLeighR
ccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD as its comonly known is a common brain disorder. It is characterised by ongoing patters of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which interferes with an individual’s functioning or development. The disorder often occurs in children and continues into their adulthood. Symptoms generally occur around the ages of three – six years, with the disorder commonly affecting males. ADHD is one of the most commonly misunderstood mental disorders around the world. Those who suffer from this disorder are often stigmatized and seen in a negative light. They are often mislabelled as troublemakers and problem children, simply because their behaviour is abnormal. Along with the stigmas come the common myths that ADHD is not a real disorder but rather an individual’s inability to control their actions. 20-year-old Rhodes University student Samantha-Sue Johnson has been living with ADHD since the age of six. Johnson disagrees that ADHD is a mental disorder, but rather identifies it as an innate characteristic that can be controlled. She goes further to say that she refrains from labelling ADHD as a mental disorder because mental disorders carry negative connotations, such as being called crazy and irrational. Another myth is that ADHD is a childhood disorder, which can lead to the invalidation of ADHD in adults. Sizwe Zondo a neuropsychology lecturer at Rhodes University, states that ADHD is mostly studied in children however studies are not purely limited to children. Zolisa Tom a 20-yearold student from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University describes the myths and negative connotations attached as being problematic. He finds it particularly problematic that there is an assumption that ADHD sufferers are not able to cope academically. “I am an engineering student, and I am coping just fine,’ says Tom. Unconventionally ADHD does have positive qualities or connotations attached to it. ADHD sufferers are often creative, intuitive and independent thinkers who are full of positive energy. They are also able to think outside the box and solve problems effectively. David Richardson a 20-year-old Rhodes University Student living with ADHD, concurs with these positive connotations. “The ADHD community are creative people,” says Davidson. He adds that they are driven people who enjoy releasing their energy and effort into things that they love. He channels his energy by exercising and engaging in his work as online editor for Activate. Davidson also expresses that he is very perceptive of people and the environments. Tom states that those with ADHD are more expressive thus they enjoy keeping busy in order to channel their energy. The disorder affects different aspects of one’s life in various ways. Many of the signs and symptoms associated with ADHD interfere or reduce the quality of how individuals function socially, at school and even within a professional environment. Johnson has faced difficulties with paying attention in class; however she has become better over the years due to the help of her medication. She faces problems with her motor neuron
skills as she battles with her hand writing. In addition her hand and eye coordination are a problem, for example she struggles with patterns. Davidson states that he has been unable to play sport all his life due to lack of coordination. There are various types of medication and help available to overcome and manage this disorder. Tom has received professional help since he was diagnosed at the age of 15, and was put on medication to assist with concentration and hyperactivity. However he states that over the years he has been able to control his ADHD and doesn’t rely on his medication or professional help. According to Zondo, the bulk of the medication is pharmaceutical. The severity of cases differs from person to person as Richardson has been receiving treatment and professional help from a very young age. This includes occupational therapy and attending remedial schools where he was taught how to read and write. Due to his medication having severe side effects such as depression, nausea, insomnia, headaches, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, he sees his psychologists and psychiatrists on a regular basis. “It is about being able to take control of your life, and finding a balance,” says Richardson. These students all relate to having amazing support systems from their families, who have helped them cope and manage.
Romanticisi
ingEating Disorders
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The psychological torment you experience because of eating disorders is debilitating and excruciatingly painful. -
Image: Alex Marshall
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By Jessica Bokete
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umblr is the home of unrealistic depictions of life. Users post ing habits. Lastly, the binge eating disorder is related to extreme everything from overwhelmingly perfect ice-cream cones to overeating. hypersexualised art. However, the one thing that stands out Nothing about these disorders screams glamour. Nothing about on the site is the consistent romanticisation of eating disorders. them is enjoyable. You are not superior when you’re vomiting People write odes to bulimia and passionate poems about ano- your lungs out. You haven’t achieved a feat when your body rexia as if it is something one should aspire to. is weak and malnourished. You cannot simply choose to turn Tumblr, although the largest culprit, is not the only guilty platform. off these disorders and go on about your life. The psychologiIt’s companions Twitter and Pinterest have cal torment you experience because posts where people treat eat disorders like eating disorders is debilitating and They are real problems that of there are accomplishments. While this is excruciatingly painful. Thus it is incredextremely disturbing, it is even more probreal people struggle with day to ibly insulting when people regard eatlematic. These fanciful depictions of real ing disorders as trends or ‘fads’. They life problems only undermine their effect day. Those who suffer from these are not a rite of passage into selfon so many people’s lives. Eating disorders awareness nor are they a milestone. disorders face the most difficult They are real problems that real peoare rife in society with millions of people suffering from them each year. Often people ple struggle with day to day. Those inner demons and struggles. who suffer from these disorders face fail to understand the true complexity of eating disorders because they are glamthe most difficult inner demons and ourised. struggles. Eating disorders are centred on unhealthy relationships with People need to be more mindful about the way in which they food. The three main eating disorders include: anorexia nervosa, treat mental illness. Eating disorders are about more than getting bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Anorexia is charac- skinny and shoving your head down a toilet. They are complex terised by excessive exercise and dieting which leads to rapid problems which should not be trivialised for the sake of ‘trying weight loss. People who suffer from anorexia often feel as if they something new’. It is imperative that people take the time to accan never be skinny enough and can resort to starving them- tually learn about eating disorders than rely on dreamy pictures selves. Bulimia involves extreme bouts of overeating followed by of skinny girls with fragile bodies with equally fragile quotes. At vomiting and other behaviour to make up for the overeating. the end of the day, these disorders go beyond internet posts and This disorder is associated with not having control over one’s eat- memes.
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Love and PSYCHOSIS
By Karabo Baloyi
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o relationship is meant to be easy, but when a relationship involves dealing with psychosis and depression on a daily basis, the challenges multiply. Walking into the room and immediately owning the space, she greets with a “She was the clumsiest first year I had met and something about her spirit just pulled me closer to her.” A slow smile spreads across Mandisa’s* face as she recalls how she and her girlfriend of more than a year, Mpho met. “She had this unorthodox beauty about her, her eyes told a story and I was curious basically.” Making several jokes from the beginning, she made sure the kept an upbeat and positive atmosphere while remaining sensitive to the seriousness of the interview. Making herself comfortable, she does the questioning first, making small talk at the realisation that she’s not the only one who is feeling nervous. Mandisa, a post-graduate student at Rhodes is in a relationship with Mpho, who is suffering from Psychosis. Psychosis is one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses because of its complicated nature. It is characterised by, among other things, delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech and disorganised behaviour. Other commonly known illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have psychosis as one of the core elements. Before Mandisa began dating Mpho, she believed she knew enough about mental illness not to fall into ignorance, but when she became close to her, she realised she knew almost nothing. “I am generally of the belief that everyone fights and all relationships are difficult but with this illness as a component you have an even bigger battle to fight.” Mandisa is certainly a warrior. With a very difficult past, she has managed to remain a humble, determined and kind woman. She is an outgoing, fun-loving and a motherly figure, hence many of her close friends call her ‘mother.’ Originally from Pretoria, Mandisa attended high school at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in Johannesburg. She has always enjoyed spending time with friends. The biggest challenge that she has faced is being there for someone who is fighting another battle on her own which only she can completely understand. “Sometimes she is very sad and wants little to no interaction which is accompanied with irrita-
tion and lashing out at me. There are also sleepless nights due to nightmares and exhaustion and a whole lot more that is just a bit too personal.” Interestingly, they are dealing with the stigma around being girls and dating each other. None of the stigma that surrounds mental illness has affected them in any way. “We have a motto that says ‘nothing is above us’ which we hold very dear to us.” Unfortunately, not everyone is as blessed as Mpho. Many people suffering from psychosis are shunned by the community and rejected by their families. Professor Malvern Chiwese, a clinical psychologist at Rhodes University says “many families use religion or culture to justify why people have mental illnesses such as psychosis and try to use their beliefs to cure or heal the person affected.” There is some place for both religion or culture and psychology to work together in the treatment process and to help relationships between loved ones and patients remain strong and even become stronger. “All I can say is that when you’re in a relationship with someone with a mental illness, that illness becomes the third member of your relationship and constantly threatens your partnership. It takes away a lot from you emotionally and comes with a lot of sleepless nights and screaming at each other,” Mandisa expresses. A solemn expression replacing the smile and light-hearted cheer she walked in with. She looks down at her lap, mentally leaving the interview for a few seconds, recollecting her thoughts she looks up, the cheerful smile making its way back. “We both wanted to give up at first because we were afraid but thanks to all the challenges, I have found a sister, a girlfriend, a best friend and teammate in her.” Professor Lisa Young urges friends and families of people suffering from any mental illness to take care of themselves while they try and take care of their loved ones. “My advice to family and friends who are supporting those who have experienced psychosis is to seek appropriate psychological help, inform yourself and others about the causes of psychosis and do all you can to fight against the stigma that is often associated with it. People with psychotic symptoms are people in distress, they are not to be laughed at, made fun of or ostracized.” *Not her real name
DEBUNKING SUICIDE
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ESSENTIALLY, THE MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE ARE JUST MYTHS, FABLES EVEN.
Image: Alex Marshall
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E MYTHS
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By Jessica Bokete
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uicide is selfish. Suicide is a cry for attention. Suicide is an impulsive act. These are just a few examples of the misconceptions of suicide. Often people who stigmatise suicide, do not understand suicide themselves. Thomas Joiner, a psychologist who has spent his entire academic career studying suicide, says that these conceptions are made by people who are non-suicidal. In order for people to truly understand suicide, they must deconstruct the myths surrounding it. Clinic psychologist Debra Machando states that suicide can be caused by “feelings of being overwhelmed, being helpless and hopeless and worthless”. South Africa has the 8th highest suicide rate in the world with an estimated average of 8000 suicide related deaths a year. Suicide is also the third most common cause of unnatural death in the country. According to South African Federation for mental health, 230 people attempt suicide daily and 23 succeed. It is easy to see, from the above facts, that suicide is a serious problem in the country. Despite these shocking statistics, people continue to under value suicide and attach negative connotations to it. One of the most common misconceptions about suicide is that it is selfish. Usually people think this as they do not understand how a person could leave behind their whole life, friends and family. Some even deem the notion to be selfish and cowardly. On the contrary, suicide is not selfish, instead it is selfless. Joiner says that the mental state of a suicidal person is not one of selfishness because at the time they believe that their death will be worth more than their life. Joiner also adds that suicidal people will believe this idea, even if it is not true, and it will motivate their behaviour which is often fatal. The second is myth that suicide is an impulsive act and that the victim does not take the time to think about it. Death is daunting and evokes fear in most, if not every person. It takes another kind of bravery and fearlessness to want to experience death or the pain that can come with it. Another factor is that the human body instinctively fights death, meaning it is difficult to impulsively kill yourself. One would have to develop this fearlessness. This development is motivated by the victim believing that they are burden to other people and if they feel isolated. When these ideas mount in the victim’s head and they continue to feel this way, they will soon consider the possibility and
build themselves to suicide. Even then it will be tough for them to complete the act. So essentially the myth that suicide is an impulsive act is just that, a myth. “Suicide is stigmatised because mental illnesses and suicide are still considered taboo topics in many societies. There is little to no discussion about them as they are seen as shameful and unnecessary,” says Kate Solomons a psychology honours student. The third myth surrounding suicide is that talking to about suicide will make people consider doing it. Everything about this myth is unbelievable. If someone is depressed, the best thing is to openly ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts. This is more preferable than jumping around the conversation and hoping that the person will forget their depression. The conversation will allow the person to release any tensions and secrecy they might have about suicide and they could get help. Another thing to remember is that trying to talk a person out of suicide will have little to no affect. Pep talks and motivational speeches will not magically sooth their pain. The best way to approach the topic is to be compassionate and empathetic and to be there for them. A fourth myth is that people who talk about committing suicide or self-harm are looking for attention. This is the most warped myth of all. Even if the person does not state their intentions this does mean they will not commit suicide. This is a major warning sign that this person is contemplating suicide and rather than brushing the idea away, people should find help and never leave that person alone. Machando states that “people do not give the appropriate support. Most suicides can be avoided but instead some people are pushed to try again because of the negative responses from misinformed people”. With this said it is extremely important to provide support when encountering a person who is contemplating committing suicide. It is equally important to always keep the person in sight and remove any dangerous weapons or materials from their possession. Essentially the myths about suicide are just myths, fables even. They are supported by misconceptions and lack of understanding on the part of non-suicidal persons. People use these myths to justify ignoring suicide signs and looking down on suicide in general. Take some time to debunk these myths and the truth will be revealed.
One of the most
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common misconceptions about suicide is
that it is selfish.
Image sourced: The-Smiling-Pony
Know Yourself
. Love Yourself