Araba is most likely suffering from Agoraphobia, a type of anxiety disorder.
Agoraphobia is characterized by marked and excessive fear or anxiety that occurs in response to multiple situations where escape might be difficult
Araba will need to speak with a mental health professional advisably a psychiatrist for a comprehensive assessment. This detailed assessment will provide insight into Araba’s unique challenges and will enable the doctor to tailor her treatments to suit her.
Some cases of Agoraphobia may not require medications but in moderate to severe forms, where it is significantly impairing one’s life, anti-depressants would be prescribed. Decision to start medication is always taken with the consent of the client.
In addition to medication, Araba will need intense therapy with a clinical psychologist. These therapies will teach and empower her to overcome her fears and be able to freely and comfortably socialize.
With adequate and consistent treatment and good continuous support from her parents, Araba is ensured to return to school and have a full recovery and live a full life.
James is most likely suffering from Mixed Anxiety and Depression, a fairly common condition.
Some people may have Depression with little or no Anxiety symptoms where as others may have a combination of both as seen with James.
Mixed depressive and anxiety disorder is characterized by symptoms of both anxiety and depression more days than not for a period of two weeks or more. Depressive symptoms include feeling extremely unhappy and for no known reason or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities, feeling tired most of the day, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, sleeping too little or excessively, poor appetite or overeating with associated weight loss or gain.
There are multiple anxiety symptoms, which may include feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, not being able to control worrying thoughts, fear that something awful will happen, having trouble relaxing, muscle tension, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, difficulty breathing. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
James can have access to a mental health professional either a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. Depending on the outcome of his sessions James could be offered therapy and/or medications.
The therapy would help James to work on his thoughts about himself and his future. By doing so, he would be able to change these negative thoughts into positive ones which will reflect in his actions and behaviors. He will also learn healthy coping mechanisms such as deep breathing exercises for when he gets unduly anxious.
James will only be prescribed medications (anti-depressants) if necessary, that is if his symptoms are severe enough to warrant them.
Dzifa is most likely suffering from Post-partum Depression.
As described for James, Depression can occur during pregnancy and after delivery. Postpartum depression most often occurs at least 4 weeks after delivery and can go as far up to 2 years after delivery. Other symptoms that can present in postpartum depression are difficulty in caring for herself and/or her baby, loss of libido and crying spells.
In the case of Dzifa, thoughts of suicide in addition to the above makes her diagnosis severe and considered a medical emergency. This will require that she is urgently seen at the hospital and admitted for in-patient care. This will ensure a rapid response to her condition so she is reunited with her baby as soon as possible. This is important because a healthy mother means a healthy baby.
For further information on Postpartum Depression, kindly see glossary on mental health conditions.
Joseph is going through some adjustment challenges which is impairing his mental well-being. Adjustment challenges can also occur in loss of a relationship, divorce, bereavement, migration etc.
This is a common challenge for most elderly people and most of them would share the same sentiments. They are used to having a family and people to interact with hence when left alone can experience extreme loneliness and boredom. In some cases, some elderly people in this situation may be clinically depressed.
Encourage him to speak to a clinical psychologist, counselor or a trusted friend. He will also be advised to engage in social activities of his interest for example joining church or extracurricular associations, go on walks, spending time with friends, travel and also staying connected with his children. Joseph’s children would be advised to keep in touch with their father as much as they can.
In the case of clinical diagnosis of Depression, appropriate treatment would be administered.
Mental well-being is one’s ability to cope with the stresses of life so they are able to live a happy and fulfilled one.
Seli is experiencing some life challenges and she is having a hard time coping. She has expressed that she is having some financial challenges, unemployment and lacks support. There are many people that are equally going through something similar. These challenges are some of the potential precipitating risk factors to developing a mental health condition. Hence, early identification and intervention would be crucial.
The main focus for Seli would be teaching her healthy coping strategies. There are two main forms:
In the case of Seli these are some of the measures to use:
These are but a few of some of the approaches available to help Seli overcome and cope with these life challenges.
Djaba would be considered as someone with an Anti-social personality traits or disorder.
Antisocial personality traits or disorder is a disorder of personality and behavior where a person is seen to have little to no regard for right or wrong, social norms or authority. This can result in difficulty maintaining relationships and a job. Also, they have a higher tendency to use substances of abuse and criminal offences.
For further information on Antisocial personality traits/disorder, kindly see glossary on mental health conditions
The main stay of treatment or support for Djaba is therapy. The primary therapy offered focuses on increasing positive behaviors and diminishing negative behaviors. Also, support from occupational therapists and family will enable Djaba to achieve a stable employment.
In the case of substance abuse, drug rehabilitation services (out-patient and In-patient) is highly recommended.
Korantemaa has lived a difficult and traumatic childhood with abuse (sexual, emotional, verbal and psychological). Additionally experience neglect from her family and loved ones.
Childhood trauma happens when children are exposed to distressing or emotionally painful events. This can include events like actual or threatened physical violence, serious injury, or sexual abuse. Childhood trauma not only occurs when a child experiences an event themselves but also when a child is exposed to these traumatic events.
Some immediate manifestations of these in children include childhood Depression and Anxiety, poor academic performance, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, impact physical health, eating disorders and suicide.
Long term consequences are difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, poor academic/career achievement etc.
The focus is to help her overcome her childhood trauma so she can have a fruitful adult life.
Kate is experiencing what is popularly known as Caregiver Burden/Burnout.
Caregiver burden is a term used to describe cumulative physical, emotional, social and financial impact of providing care to sick family members. It tends to be unique to informal or family caregivers. The commonest chronic illness that leads to this type of burn out is having a loved one with Alzheimer’s Dementia. Certain factors associated with increased risk of caregiver burnout are social isolation, being female, spending long hours providing care, depression, financial stress and a lack of choice in being a family caregiver.
Some common features are:
Proving care for a loved one with a chronic illness can be draining for even the most resilient person. Thus, it is advisable to make use of all resources available to ease the burden.
Some of the strategies we recommend are: