The recent passing away of Anthony Bourdain, CNN presenter, celebrity chef and food critic shook the world. His death came just a few days before famous designer Kate Spade committed suicide. With the two cases, people were once again reminded that some people are going through different kinds of mental struggles.
Notwithstanding the good picture of them one sees or the outward appearances, the pain some suffer within is enormous. For instance, Anthony posted a picture just days before he committed suicide! Seeing his instagram page with his recent trip to Hong Kong, no one would ever guess he was going through anything.
In Nigeria, it is only in recent times that people are openly talking about depression. “God forbid! It is not my portion!” That is what many would say even as they suffer underground. The most common types of these illnesses are Clinical depression, Anxiety disorder, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Dementia, Autism, Post traumatic stress disorder and more.
One Nigerian that has been able to stand out and serve as a good example in the area of being open about her status is Angel Nduka-Nwosu. She was diagnosed as having schizophrenia in 2013 and Bipolar Affective Disorder in 2016.
She speaks openly about her condition and how she has been able to overcome the pain and the stigma associated with mental illness.
Nduka-Nwosu, a very resourceful personality is a third year student at Babcock University studying English. She is a poet, writer, spoken word performer and feminist.
Her work as a writer has appeared in Ake Review, Girl Like Me amongst others. She also co-founded an African feminist network called “As Equals Africa.” She runs her own blog, Afrocentric Musings.
Nduka-Nwosu, in this interview with ASIAN NKUTT, gives useful information on how to overcome mental illness. Excerpts:
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When and how were you diagnosed?
I got diagnosed as having Schizophernia in 2013 at the Youth Annex of the Yaba Hospital. This was after a series of physical and emotional abuse from a male classmate of mine. I was hallucinating and couldn’t coordinate my actions. I was also having severe headaches that always made me scream and I had this perpetual fear that everyone was against me. I couldn’t coordinate my thoughts to the point that if it was morning, I’d be greeting everyone good night and doing things I usually do in the night. As it got worse, I developed slurred speech and couldn’t talk properly to people. Because I had stopped talking to most of my mates in school as they supported him, I started going mute and found it difficult to speak even when I wanted to. Basically, my vocal cords were closing anytime I was in school. In 2016, I stopped hallucinating but my moods were always going to the extreme. I could wake up very happy and by the middle of the day I’d be sad for no reason. There were what I called my ‘low swings.’ Even though my writing was inspiring people and things were looking brighter, I still felt sad. At that point, my diagnosis switched to Bipolar Affective Disorder. Currently, I am mostly bipolar but I also sometimes have the schizophrenic symptoms. That’s why I say I’m bipolar schizophrenic.
How do you handle it? Are you on any form of medication?
I am currently on medication. I also have medication for the mood swings.
How do you handle the mood swings?
Despite my medications, sometimes the mood swings still come. When that happens, I take a break and just breathe and say nice things to myself. Sometimes I listen to uplifting music and I stay off social media for a while. I will also take care of my hair, read a book and pray. I’ve recently discovered that crying at least three times a week also reduces the amount of mood swings I have. So, when I feel the urge to cry, I go somewhere quiet and let it out.
Apart from the crisis you have mentioned, have there been any other major crisis where you needed to be hospitalised?
No, there hasn’t been, thankfully. I see consultants and therapists at the medical centre in my school; they are very good.
What has your support system been like? Your family and friends?
My support system is great. My family has always been there and encouraged me to take my medications early and sleep when I’m tired. I like to thank my mum in particular because she was there when it was very serious. She would have to take permission from her bosses almost every week because I had to go to the hospital. My friends are chill. I select my friends a lot, I don’t let just anyone in my space. If anyone claims to be my friend and makes fun of me or makes silly comments, I cancel them mentally and systematically push them out of my life.
Stigma is often attached to mental health. Do you feel stigmatised?
I do get stigmatized when I talk on social media about it. People make comments like “We now understand why you are a feminist. It’s because you are crazy.” Majority of the time however, when I speak on social media I get reassuring messages and people opening up more than the bad messages. In real life, I’ve been advised not to talk about it because no man might marry me or even because I may not get a job. Sometimes when I say stuff like ‘my mental illness’ some people who think they mean well tell me to stop calling it mine and instead say “that mental illness.” Then some people say that taking medication is not Christian and that I should pray it away.
Most people are afraid to even have the mental health talk and others are even more afraid to even check what is wrong with them and seek help. What are your thoughts on that?
I would tell them they are not alone and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Mental illnesses happen because the brain and mind have a problem. I can’t force anyone to talk about it because it’s a really delicate issue but I believe that the more we talk about it, the more we de-stigmatise it. Most of all, they should seek help and know that with the right treatment, they can keep their heads above water.
Mental illness is no joke. More and more people should get educated on it. The awareness on it needs to be prioritised by the appropriate bodies. As citizens and human beings when you hear someone complain of depression or having suicidal thoughts, try and react positively. Do not tell the person, “Pray more!” because most times, victims often feel like they can’t do anything positive for themselves at that point. That is not to say prayer won’t work, but that is not what they need to hear at that moment. Try being more supportive and talk to them to see how and why they got to that point. The scourge of mental health can be eradicated with one positive outlook after the other; one diagnosis after the other.
