Pregnancy, birth complications, others can trigger schizophrenia says Consultant Psychiatrist

Mon, Sep 23, 2019
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Health

OLUMIDE Adegbokun, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos, on Monday said that some pregnancies and birth complications could prompt a major psychiatry disorder as Schizophrenia.

Adegbokun made this disclosure at the Continuous Medical Educational forum held in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Schizophrenia is a feeling of abnormal, disorganised state of thoughts, mind, perception and behaviours.

It is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.

The exact cause of schizophrenia isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain chemistry and structure may play a role. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated speciality care services.

According to Adegbokun, a number of birthing complications spark schizophrenia, even as victims grow older.

“Some pregnancies and birth complications as winter birth, birth asphyxia, as well as some emergency sections, could prompt a major psychiatry disorder as Schizophrenia.

“This is a feeling of abnormal, disorganised state of thoughts, mind, and perception.

“Emil Kraeplin in 1893, discovered this derangement and called it `demented Praecox’, it was further modified in 1911 to schizophrenia by Eugen Bluelername, which implies ‘splitting of the mind’.

“The prevalence occur between 15 to 45 years of age in victims, has frequency instance between 18 to 30 years, a circumference mean in victims at 28 years and late onset incidence of 60 years,’’ he said.

On the clinical features of the disorder, the consultant highlighted thoughts echo, thoughts withdrawal, thoughts broadcasting and delusional perception/control, passivity, as indications of the deteriorating mental condition.

Other indications, according to him, include hallucinating voices, disorder and negative symptoms.

Adegbokun said that most schizophrenic episodes could be adequately treated with medication.

He, however, expressed concern over the drug availability, their side effect profiles, the symptoms specific contra indications, familiarity and cost for purchasing them.

“Aside from being hereditary, this mental disorder can be aggravated following substance abuse; cannabis, amphetamine, andreasson, migration; culture shock and stressful life events.

“It can also be aggravated by disappointment, sorrow, and head injury, psychodynamic theories, family dynamic theories, which are all influencers of the psychopathic state, ’’said the consultant.

In his address of welcome, the Medical Director, Dr Madewa Adebajo, said that most of the cases required medical attention which sufferers should embrace towards fostered living.

` ` Everything is spiritually inclined, however, nature has bequeathed solutions to various problems to enhance proper ways at managing them.

“A number of things we take for granted must be embraced for change towards progressive lifestyle,’’ Adebajo said.

NAN

– Sept. 23, 2019 @ 12:59 GMT |

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