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I never ever thought I’d do this but I’m so angry at how mental health is handled, but today I have the time.
Today is the day, I talk about my experience as Dr Kigamwa’s patient.
A THREAD. https://twitter.com/muluvi/status/1294300466550013959">https://twitter.com/muluvi/st...
Today is the day, I talk about my experience as Dr Kigamwa’s patient.
A THREAD. https://twitter.com/muluvi/status/1294300466550013959">https://twitter.com/muluvi/st...
I got diagnosed by Dr Kigamwa with Depression & Anxiety after an attempt in Feb 2018.
I was admitted after spending about 3 days & was immediately put on Antidepressants right after I was discharged.
An appointment was scheduled a month after to check up & get more meds.
I was admitted after spending about 3 days & was immediately put on Antidepressants right after I was discharged.
An appointment was scheduled a month after to check up & get more meds.
So a month passes by, and I’m due for an appointment, I was to be at the doctors by 6:30 am. Mind you I was still a student at the time, I still had to go to school after.
On arrival to the hospital, I meet other patients already waiting right outside the office AT 6:45 am ?!?
On arrival to the hospital, I meet other patients already waiting right outside the office AT 6:45 am ?!?
I’m putting so much emphasis on the time because no one really deserves to be waiting outside at that hour.
One patient came in as we were waiting & was going through a manic episode. She still had to wait, we even gave her priority to go ahead of us.
It was so so sad to watch.
One patient came in as we were waiting & was going through a manic episode. She still had to wait, we even gave her priority to go ahead of us.
It was so so sad to watch.
We waited for about 4 HOURS.
He showed up late.
So I get in for my first appointment, accompanied by my dad. He inquired about how I’ve been doing & what changes I’ve been experiencing.
I explain & he changes the prescription to something that would be much more ‘beneficial’
He showed up late.
So I get in for my first appointment, accompanied by my dad. He inquired about how I’ve been doing & what changes I’ve been experiencing.
I explain & he changes the prescription to something that would be much more ‘beneficial’
So I get my meds & a month goes by and I’m due for another appointment. Throughout that month I had been experiencing adverse side effects from the meds.
Serious weight gain of about 12 - 14 kgs & anger fits. Same routine applies, I was at the office early morning (about 7 AM)
Serious weight gain of about 12 - 14 kgs & anger fits. Same routine applies, I was at the office early morning (about 7 AM)
He didn’t show up, and the excuse the receptionist gave was that he got a puncture & couldn’t make it. So another doctor had to fill in for him.
This doctor who filled in for him ended up being the same doctor I saw for the rest of the months that I was under medication.
This doctor who filled in for him ended up being the same doctor I saw for the rest of the months that I was under medication.
And it was always the SAME routine, 6:30 am (no show), so many people waiting & some days I would even end up not going to school because I’ve spent half of my day waiting.
I know a couple of other people who’ve had the same experiences so my argument here isn’t baseless.
I know a couple of other people who’ve had the same experiences so my argument here isn’t baseless.
So why am I saying this?
Because conversations surrounding mental health NEED to happen. Especially if psychiatrists like that can be incompetent to that level.
I later on came to learn that I was given meds for something totally different & it could’ve been avoided.
Because conversations surrounding mental health NEED to happen. Especially if psychiatrists like that can be incompetent to that level.
I later on came to learn that I was given meds for something totally different & it could’ve been avoided.
Meds for mental illnesses in kenya are so expensive. Every month I needed a refill & it was about 20-25k.
So what happens to a patient who can’t afford that kind of treatment & needs it to keep afloat?
There’s so much that needs to be amended & reviewed.
So what happens to a patient who can’t afford that kind of treatment & needs it to keep afloat?
There’s so much that needs to be amended & reviewed.
Most people really dance around mental health & downplay it’s importance by masking it with statements such as “check on your friends” or “I’m here” without doing the actual work that’s greatly needed.
Vitu kwa ground ni very different.
Educate yourself & be about that action.
Vitu kwa ground ni very different.
Educate yourself & be about that action.
There’s still stigma that’s attached to mental illnesses & health.
I believe each and every one of us has a responsibility to break it because whether you like it or not these things are happening either to people who we love, know about or even to ourselves.
I believe each and every one of us has a responsibility to break it because whether you like it or not these things are happening either to people who we love, know about or even to ourselves.
And it’s not only Depression & Anxiety...
There’s BPD, Bipolar, ADHD/ADD, Schizophrenia, PTSD, Eating Disorders, OCD, Substance abuse...
I could literally go on for hours.
& guess what those matter too.
And going through such doesn’t make them any less of a person
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There’s BPD, Bipolar, ADHD/ADD, Schizophrenia, PTSD, Eating Disorders, OCD, Substance abuse...
I could literally go on for hours.
& guess what those matter too.
And going through such doesn’t make them any less of a person
Please please I’m actually begging, do your research. If we’re all equipped with this information we’d be in better positions to help ourselves, our loved ones & others in general.
We shouldn’t have to wait on a tragic event to become vigilant on this topic.
We shouldn’t have to wait on a tragic event to become vigilant on this topic.
To those experiencing a mental illness....
You are not alone, you are so greatly loved, even when it doesn’t seem much like it.
You can weather through any storm, if I can do it & I have been able to so can you, I promisehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">
You are not alone, you are so greatly loved, even when it doesn’t seem much like it.
You can weather through any storm, if I can do it & I have been able to so can you, I promise
To those who’s seeing a loved one through their illness.. (1/2)
Educate yourself, it’s okay to not have all the answers but if you have an opportunity to help a loved one cope through an episode do some research it won’t hurt to. You’ll be able to see some tell tale signs.
Educate yourself, it’s okay to not have all the answers but if you have an opportunity to help a loved one cope through an episode do some research it won’t hurt to. You’ll be able to see some tell tale signs.
(2/3)
It’s also important to establish boundaries for yourself. If you aren’t in the position to adequately help your loved one & you may not have all the tools & it’s okay.
If you’re in a financial position to help your loved one, a therapy session would be beneficial imo.
It’s also important to establish boundaries for yourself. If you aren’t in the position to adequately help your loved one & you may not have all the tools & it’s okay.
If you’re in a financial position to help your loved one, a therapy session would be beneficial imo.
(3/3) the ones who are seeing a loved one through sometimes we just need your presence.
Offer company, or help out with a task/chore that could possibly make life much easier a good example would be cleaning up (when you’re in that state taking care of yourself is hard)
Offer company, or help out with a task/chore that could possibly make life much easier a good example would be cleaning up (when you’re in that state taking care of yourself is hard)
The Mental health act in Kenya has soo many problematic things in there that need to be reviewed.
If you read through certain things in there I can guarantee that your head will almost burst. I hate that it’s taken this long for people to realize how important this is.
If you read through certain things in there I can guarantee that your head will almost burst. I hate that it’s taken this long for people to realize how important this is.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
It has ALWAYS mattered & it forever will.
Once we start prioritising this, the quality of everyone’s wellbeing as a whole in the society will increase. Like I said before we all have a responsibility.
It has ALWAYS mattered & it forever will.
Once we start prioritising this, the quality of everyone’s wellbeing as a whole in the society will increase. Like I said before we all have a responsibility.
