Mark Mudoola’s mother seeking justice for son’s death is not a story to ignore. Mark died three days after admission to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital. Sad as the story sounds, it portrays unprofessionalism in the mental facility and how Mental Health has been ignored yet vital in our society.
Mental health is about the way you think, feel and behave. This refers to your cognitive, emotional and behavioral wellbeing. Absence of this wellbeing can lead to a mental disorder.
Everyone is at risk of developing a mental disorder regardless of their age, sex, income or ethnicity.
Mental health can affect daily living, relationships and physical health. This link works in both ways, factors in your daily life, interpersonal connections and your physical health can as well affect your mental wellbeing.
Looking after one’s mental health is one way to preserve your ability to enjoy life while keeping a balance between life activities, responsibilities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
Many Mental disorders have physical roots and I am going to outline a few mental disorders, early signs and how to avoid & treat them.
“Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” – According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO stress that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.”
The most common types of mental illness are as follows:
• anxiety disorders
• mood disorders
• schizophrenia disorders
Anxiety Disorders include; Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorders, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders. (PTSD)
Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders are; restlessness, fatigue, tense muscles and interrupted sleep.
Mood Disorders include; Major Depression, Bi Polar Disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations. Negative symptoms include withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood.
Early Signs of Mental Health Disorders;
• withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues
• avoiding activities that they would normally enjoy
• sleeping too much or too little
• eating too much or too little
• feeling hopeless
• having consistently low energy
• using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently
• displaying negative emotions
• being confused
• being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal
• having persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly
• thinking of causing physical harm to themselves or others
• hearing voices
• experiencing delusions
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By Mervyn Kasiita
May Mark Mudoola’s Soul Rest in Peace.
Published on July 5th 2021