MENTAL DISORDERS
There are many forms of mental disorders that have been identified by Science. Belizeans are affected by a gamut of these disorders. Here in this section we explore how a Belizean adapts to a mental disorder.
Depression and Me I am a 30 year old single young lady of the Cayo District. Presently, I live with my mother and sisters who are very supportive of me. From the University of Belize, I hold an associates degree and have been working with the Government department and prior to that in education in this western district.
My first encounter with a mental illness was at the age of 20 years as a teacher. One never realizes, when, where, why or how it develops. I was at school the day I had a nervous break done; although it seem to have begun since Xmas of 2000 or even 1999. The last teen years of my life were very difficult. As a student there was the academic load plus peer-pressure like most youths I drank heavily back then. Then, there were financial constraints, terminal illness and finally the passing of a beloved relative. My social life then changed. I left the happy going friends and settled among more serious people. Moreover, the transition from adolescence to adulthood came very abruptly for me -with all its responsibilities.
When I joined the work force I had the financial commitments at home and additional work stress. It was a time in my life when I felt low and struggle with emotions- bottling them up. I didn’t go through the grieving process probably because I didn’t want to accept that my relative was truly gone. Finally in January 2001, I had a nervous breakdown. There have been obstacles and challenges along the way. I remember days when discrimination in the education system while on sick leave made me feel like giving in. One summer, when a close friend had moved to Europe, I interrupted my medication. The key factor to my illness is my interpersonal relationships and/or social interactions.
As a child I was only popular among my friends academically. At home, I felt the odd one among my siblings. Sometimes, I tend to get hasty and temperamental (but not aggressive or violent). Moreover, I get defensive and feel hurt. Usually I feel physical symptoms of pain such as a throbbing heart, crying outburst and even pain in the muscles of the body. Other symptoms are insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, increase in appetite, weight loss, gaining weight. Then there are the emotional symptoms, which are feelings of hopeless, worthlessness and even suicidal thoughts. Sometimes I would get tremors and feel restless. There are also delusion and hallucinations. The illness that I have been diagnosed with is known as bi-polar disorder, manic depression or bi-polar depression. Bi-polar refers to two opposite poles mania and depression or the high and low. Some persons experience the high affects, because they become aggressive, violent, elated and have grandiose feelings. Then the low allows them to appear calm, and controlled as if though sedated. In my particular case I am opposite. The high makes me appear effective and in tune to my personality type which is the easy going and lively spirited. But the depression irritates me because it’s more difficult to concentrate. I work slower. I feel and look gloomy and tired. Some people disregard their personal appearance. However, this is not true in my case. Along with my illness, I have accompanying anxiety attacks from time to time. It is very frightening.
I recall one particular instant. I had been out on a weekend getaway out at the Cayes. Returning home, I couldn’t brush off the feeling that I was destined to die soon. I was in no physical or health hazard, but truly believed I was going to die within days.
Medications that I have taken over time have been: Carbamazepine , Haldol, Depixol, Epival, artane, and benadril,. The cocktail of altruline (Sertraline), Resperdal (Resperdone) and Valporic Acod (Sodium Valporate) work best for me. Atruline is an anti depressant used for the symptomatic relief of the depressive illness. Resperdial is a benzisoxazate derivative. It is a novel drug which binds with high affinity to the Serotonin Type 2 (5 –HTD), Dopamine D2, and Alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. In lay man terms they bind with chemicals and receptors in the brain that maintain equilibrium from the high and lows. Valporic Acid is an anti Convulsant which is useful for the treatment of seizures. It works as a mood stabilizer.
I am now part of a local consumer association, along with colleagues from the Belmopan Consumer Association. I have lobbied to the former Minister of Health for new generation psychotropic medications. Indeed we are all very grateful to him as well as the former Minister Mario Castellanos and present Minister Pablo Marin’s support of the program. The Chief pharmacists Ms. Sharon Sanchez Sandiford as well as all pharmacists do their best to do their job, which is to provide these medications in a timely manner to patients. This has made my job of checking that we are abreast with medications so much easier. Health care givers namely the Psychiatric nurse and doctors have become our family. They know us better than we know ourselves and know all our secrets. Working with them and they giving their all to the consumer group and to the mental health program of Belize has changed the way we cope with the various illnesses.
The Belize Mental Health Consumer Association is a board that advocates and represents the needs of the patients. The donors, volunteers, religious community and visitors as well as the community on a whole are learning more about medical disorders and their attitude is slowly changing. Since my first psychotic episode I have known doctor Cayetano. She gives her unconditional love for the job and each patient. She has brought hope to many and defended many who were considered lost cases. Thus, the group keeps me engaged in participating and volunteering with all stakeholders and care givers as well as patients affected or concerned about these illnesses.
Aside from that in my personal life, there are simple things that I do to cope with the illness. Lifestyle changes like not drinking, smoking, or doing any kind of drug, getting enough rest, exercising, eating healthy and/or dieting. The idea is to minimize the stressors. Trying to maintain finances in order, have a healthy social life, praying and affirmative thinking helps a whole lot. Family, friends, Church, Work, and the Community support are of utmost importance. Many of them feel isolated, enslaved, and as an outcast in society. Other feel that they do not fit in completely, generally unwelcomed and unloved. Many times, care givers may have been the key factor causing the avalanche. Thus, they are finding an escape and psychologically this is how they block out the person/ persons that may have hurt them. My Parish, community, friends and relatives have always remained at my side in support. Day in and day out they brought cooked food, kept me company, invited me to church or prayed for me, took me out to eat, exercised or dieted with me, and/or brought me medications and home made remedies. They were very loving and supportive and this has not changed for me. Greater than those mentioned above is the trust and vote of confidence placed in me by parents and students. This gave me the motivation to continue struggling, because I had to go back and be with them. My family is the group of persons that most impacted my life especially because they fed me, gave me hope, faith and love when I felt like the ship was sinking. They propelled me to keep fighting against the illness. They spent many sleepless nights. They coordinated themselves to protect and care for me. Moreover, they contributed financially to defray my medical expenses as well as financially supported me during two separate occasions when I was out of work. When the people around you make you feel welcomed, trusted and loved you feel that everything is worth struggling for. It’s the stimulus that you need to fight off the disease.
Sometime ago, I came across the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” That is my word of advice to everyone. Not only when dealing with mental illness but with any problem they are facing. We are challenged by health, psychological, emotional, physical or physiological or even social problems. It is of great comfort when you know that we are not alone. We may be disabled, completely engulfed by the illness or far gone but our intuition tells us when you are helping to alleviate the burden. Perhaps you can help financially. If so we would be very grateful indeed. Perhaps your contribution may be in the form of food or food items, clothing (used or new), or medical contribution. It would be very appreciated by many who do not have anything. For others the gift of you time, services (volunteer at Consumer associations/ with health care givers), prayers or well wishes would be welcomed. As Mother Theresa of Calcutta said “Do not wait for leaders, do it alone, person to person. “ Contact Person:Nurse Cherry Mae Velasquez OR Nurse Llona Richards HECOPAB 501-824-3129 San Ignacio Hospital San Ignacio
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Mental Disorders 
