Psychiatric illness aggravated by drug use in City
Call to break the stigma attached to mental illness.
THE escalating rate of drug addiction in Zululand is directly spiking the level of psychiatric illness in the region.
This is according to Dr Vusi Khanyile, Head of the Psychiatric Ward at Ngwelezana Hospital, who says even though the patient profile was diverse, ranging from bipolar to schizophrenia and depression, the long-term effects of alcohol and drug abuse were the most prevalent.
‘After chronic use these alter the functioning of the brain. Patients start to hear voices, have visions, feel anxious, become paranoid, aggressive and develop mood disorders,’ Dr Khanyile said.
Coupled with these alarming figures is the high rate of HIV/Aids patients within Zululand, who are susceptible to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
‘We also have a high number of patients with head and brain injuries sustained in car accidents.
The psychiatric ward, which caters for the entire region, has a total of 30 beds and offers both in- and out-patient services. Mental health care users requiring long-term treatment are referred to psychiatric hospitals.
As July marks mental illness awareness month, the unit hopes to break the stigma attached.
‘Mental health illnesses, such as depression, are one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide, which directly affects the economy and productivity.
‘The community needs to be educated and it should be spoken of openly. The stigma contributes to discouraging people from seeking help.’
However, Dr Khanyile highlighted that there is a thin line between assisting someone with a psychiatric condition and infringing on their human rights.
‘Patients who are brought in via the emergency unit are often involuntarily admitted and the hospital is only given a 72-hour period to conduct assessments against the persons will.
‘Some of the signs most associated with psychiatric illnesses include poor self-care, isolation, insomnia, expressing uncommon beliefs, intense belief in being bewitched, and conversations with imaginary people among others.’
