Madam Nelly Mensah, a Nurse at the Psychiatric Department of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region has implored Ghanaians to avoid alcohol and street drugs, avoid caffeine, nicotine and other over-the-counter stimulants; exercise at least 30 minutes per day and eathealthy meals and snacks at regular times each day to minimize risk of bipolar disorders.
She stated that we can minimize our risk factors for bipolar by making healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding substance abuse, and seeking professional help before a loss or stressor begins to affect our mental health.
She advised that we take enough sleep at our normal sleeping time, avoiding naps; inform all our doctors about all our prescription meds, take bipolar medications exactly as directed by our psychiatrist, eliminate unnecessary life stressors and learn relaxation techniques to help deal with unavoidable stressors.
Madam Mensah gave the advice on Spice Fm’s Adzekye Mu Nsem in Takoradi as part of this year’s World Bipolar Day which was under the theme, “Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow”.
According to her, until scientists have identified the exact causes of bipolar disorder, it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to avoid the possibility of having it though there are some things we can do to decrease the chances that environmental triggers will lead to the onset of bipolar.
Madam Gertrude Nkrumah mentioned depression as a major form of bipolar disorders and described it as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities.
She explained that people experience depression in different ways as it may interfere with one’s daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity and can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.
She said that a family history of depression or another mood disorder, early childhood trauma; certain medical conditions which may put one at higher risk such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a history of drug or alcohol misuse may be common causes of depression.
She said, “in addition to these causes other risk factors for depression may include low self-esteem or being self-critical, personal history of mental illness, certain medications and stressful events such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce”.
Mr Yusif Mustapha mentioned that a bipolar person has two extreme moods, which keep switching depending upon the external factors while such people also suffer from episodes of depression.
He stressed that bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, can disrupt a person’s life significantly, as it hampers day-to-day activities adding, “Not just the one who suffers the illness, but bipolar condition can also affect those mentally who take care of people with the disorder”.
He pointed out that stress and loss can be triggers for bipolar disorder whereas dealing with the serious issues in one’s life can decrease their chances of immediate onset.
Mr Yusif Mustapha mentioned this year’s theme of the World Bipolar Day as, and said it was important for everyone suffering from bipolar disorder to take proper care of their mental health in these testing times.
He explained the day is marked in order to raise awareness among the people on bipolar condition and how one can take care of those suffering from the disorder, and to make people understand the implications of this mental health issue and raise awareness about proper guidance and treatment.
Story: Seth Ameyaw Danquah
