By Abdullahi Maku
A mental health expert, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, has urged Nigerians to prioritise early detection, public awareness and timely medical intervention to prevent psychosis.
He identified stigma and inadequate mental health services as major barriers to effective care and improved treatment outcomes.
Psychosis is a condition in which a person loses contact with reality and may experience symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking.
Obindo, a former President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, although many mental health conditions have no definitive cure, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent psychosis from worsening and significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Obindo said psychosis often occurred when there was an imbalance in neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals responsible for transmitting information between nerve cells.
“These chemicals must have balance in the brain, and if that balance is tilted for whatever reason, it may lead to an individual developing psychosis. The hormones must remain balanced or risk instability,” he said.
The psychiatrist added that psychosis could also be triggered by overwhelming emotions, persistent fear, grandiose thinking and mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.
He emphasised the importance of recognising symptoms early, noting that proper diagnosis was essential for determining the most effective treatment approach.
“You cannot know the means of approach without identifying the symptoms of the illness, which is most important for proper diagnosis,” he said.
Obindo urged parents, relatives, friends and caregivers to monitor individuals at risk and seek professional guidance when behavioural changes or warning signs were observed.
“Observation must be firmly put into the process. Parents, family and friends must speak out and approach experts for directives,” he said.
He said professional assessment helped to ensure accurate diagnosis and prevent reliance on speculation, superstition and misinformation.
According to him, timely evaluation by qualified mental health professionals is critical to effective treatment and recovery.
“The person will need to first be assessed. We have psychiatric nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists who can assess and treat the symptoms as it should be,” he said.
Obindo described public awareness as a key preventive tool, lamenting that many people remained ignorant of psychosis and often wrongly labeled affected individuals as “mad.”
He said that genetic factors could increase susceptibility to psychosis in some individuals, making early intervention and monitoring particularly important.
According to him, prompt medical attention, including the use of appropriate medications where necessary, can help manage symptoms and prevent deterioration.
He said antipsychotic medications might be required when symptoms became pronounced, while sedatives might be used in some cases to reduce agitation and promote calmness under medical supervision.
The expert also emphasised the need to retain and strengthen the mental health workforce to support prevention, treatment and long-term management of mental health conditions.
He urged communities, peers and social workers to create supportive environments free from stigma and discrimination, while working closely with families to support affected individuals.
Obindo further called on the Federal Government to establish more mental health facilities across the country and equip them adequately to improve access to care and strengthen mental health services nationwide.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru