Something About Mad People

First of, why am I writing for mad people you ask, am I mongering for attention? My answer is simple and direct; if you can show me one mad person with a blog, You can close this page and deem me irrelevant. They have to be represented, they are people too.

        Before you cast a disgusting look at that insane man who has presidential meetings with himself, laughing hysterically between whispers to himself and out rightly admonishing himself, you have to understand that man might not have offended anyone back at home. He might just be unlucky and YOU MIGHT BE NEXT!!! (That’s quite ominous and depressing… sigh)

            

    I didn’t mean to start the article with such a paragraph but…..

     

   You see, the human brain which can be regarded as the most complicated computer in a world where 3-D printers and smart phones have become the order of the day is grossly underappreciated (after all, we only use it to think and thinking is not that important… right? … right??). And because we do not appreciate this complexity, we have limited the capabilities and shortcomings of the human brain.

       

  We are prone to sicknesses. Every part of our ephemeral flesh is susceptible to diseases, from our sore throat to our athletes’ foot. Why then, if this fact is apparent and obvious to all, are we oblivious of mental illness being… Just an illness. Like malaria?

       

  Quick question,

     

    When was the last time you saw a cluster of people talking about or in more intense cases; running from someone down with malaria? As bad as malaria is, even though transmittable. I, in my youthful and naïve days looked forward to it because at that time, my mum would meet every of my whimsical needs to ensure I felt better (Young children, you can bend maternal love to your will!!)

       This kind of care and understanding makes it easy to deal with infirmity. An apparent lack of stigma makes it possible for an individual suffering from mental illness to admit and actually deal with it.

         Because of the way we have completely shut out the possibility of this ailment occurring naturally… Like rain, or even puberty, we do not notice the foreshadowing symptoms like depression and withdrawal. And the end product is so sudden to our unasserting selves that we assume that people of the village has touched this one!

     The  brain, as it is the most complex organ in the body is also the most fragile. It can not only be damaged through physical impact but also from experiences, and mental illness ranges from traumatic experiences, drug abuse, nervous breakdowns and even down to sleep deprivation. There are a million ways a person can go insane if help is not gotten.(Just revel in how lucky you are right now).

      So how do we solve this little problem you ask.

               Therapy, a much as we believe is a “white man’s thing” could have saved a lot of Nigerians roaming the streets. We underestimate how talking about out problems help in relieving us.

‘A problem shared is a problem half solved’ is an axiom mostly used by amebos trying to get information from you. In a world where nobody can be trusted, confiding in a friend is much more dangerous to your health and reputation than visiting that beer parlor near your church so it is only logical for people to get paranoid and roll themselves up in shells. A therapist however, is  bound by duty and the law to protect your secrets and hide your dirty linen and this makes him a more reasonable person to run to for help.

         But what is the need for a therapist if you do not even know you have an ailment? A man once told me to drive like everybody is crazy and I’m the only sane one. But in reality, everybody is crazy both behind the wheels and outside the confines of the vehicle. And you, as a person have to admit that it can happen to you or any of your family members. This mindset helps curb the stigma that comes with mental illnesses.

      Admitting to yourself is the first step in getting help!! So before you try to cast out the devil in that mad man, remember the witches in his village might have something better to do and maybe, just maybe… his ailment is purely biological.

      And before you shake your head in pity as you scurry away in quick steps, remember the difference between you both is that you are simply lucky… and he’s not.

Have a mentally healthy week!