Read Top 8 Dangerous Mental Disorders Suprisingly Common in Nigeria...

There are many causes of mental disorders. Your genes and family history may play a role. Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, may also matter. Biological factors can also be part of the cause. A traumatic brain injury can lead to a mental disorder. A mother's exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals while pregnant may play a part. Other factors may increase your risk, such as use of illegal drugs or having a serious medical condition like cancer.

In Nigeria, These 8 categories of mental issues is very common

1. Schizophrenia
It is the most severe form of functional mental illness affecting most Nigerians and it is also found to be the most common mental disorder worldwide. It is commonly described as a severe, chronic and
disabling mental disorder characterized by psychotic episodes with recurring functional periods of disordered thought process. It mainly affects perception and thinking hence giving rise to a spectrum of clinical scenarios. Common symptoms of schizophrenia include; delusions, hallucinations, disturbance of thought, disorganized speech, difficulty in concentration and poor memory.

2. Anxiety Disorders
This is a heterogeneous group of disorders with abnormal fear and stress as the main underlying disorder. Anxiety is said to be abnormal/a mental disorder when symptoms interfere with the individual’s normal productive activities and its harmful effects outweigh its benefits because fear and stress is necessary for human survival. An anxiety disorder involves an excessive or inappropriate state of arousal characterized by feelings of apprehension, uncertainty or fear. This disorders can be differentiated into Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD), Panic Disorder (PD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Phobic Disorders (including social anxiety disorder), Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Acute stress disorder, with each of them having distinct clinical symptoms.

3. Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as "an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the culture of the individual who exhibits it." The beginning of these patterns of behavior can typically be traced back to late adolescence and the beginning of adulthood, and, in rare instances, childhood. This deviation from personality is severe enough to affect the interaction of the patient with his/herself and with the community.

Examples of personality disorder are Paranoid personality disorder (excessive pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others), Schizoid personality disorder (detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions), Schizotypal personality disorders (acute discomfort with reduced capacity for close relationships). Others are Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, Antisocial, Histrionic (excessive emotionality and attention seeking), Narcissistic personality disorder (grandiosity in fantasy or behavior with need for admiration, and lack of empathy), Avoidant and Dependent personality disorders.

4. Premenstrual Tension
This is a collection of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms related to a woman’s menstrual cycle and should be severe enough to interfere with some aspects of life. 80% of women have some of these symptoms at one time or another during their menstrual cycle, but only 2-5% meets the criteria for premenstrual tension. These symptoms are different from the discomfort associated with menstruation. It is due to the changing level of sex steroids accompanying ovulation during the menstrual cycle. Common symptoms are irritability, emotional liability, headaches, anxiety, depression, weight gain, breast pain, syncope. and paresthesias.

5. Postpartum Blues
It is a very common mental disorder as it occurs in about 50- 85% of women. Symptoms typically peak at about the 4 - 5 days post-delivery. It may last for a few hours to a few days, resolving spontaneously by 2 weeks after child birth. Symptoms include; mood lability, tearfulness, anxiety, and irritability. Symptoms do not interfere with the woman's ability to function.

6. Postpartum Depression
Usually occurs within the 1st 2 - 3 weeks post-delivery, but may occur at any point after delivery. Milder depressive symptoms may have occurred during the pregnancy and are usually not observed by the patient, spouse or caregivers. Symptoms are similar to those of depression occurring at other times in a woman's life. It affects 5 -25% of Nigerian women. Common symptoms include; depressed mood, tearfulness, feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness or incompetence, fatigue, sleep disturbance, change in appetite, poor concentration. and suicidal thoughts.

7. Postpartum Psychosis
This is the most severe form of postpartum psychiatric illness affecting Nigerian women after childbirth. It is a Psychiatric emergency that needs urgent treatment by a psychiatrist. It occurs in 1-2% per 1000 Nigerian women after child birth. Its onset is usually with 48-72 hours after delivery. Majority develop symptoms within the 1st 2/52 post-delivery. Onset is usually sudden and it is characterized by severe aggressiveness, loud cry/shouts, suicidal attempts to self and the baby.

8. Sleep Disorders
This is a spectrum of disorders affecting an individual’s sleep. It can affect the quality, depth, pattern and rhythm of sleep. A bad night’s sleep could produce: irritability, low efficiency, and productivity at work, difficulty in school work, health and relationships also suffer. Typically, there is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, Narcolepsy which is the irresistible attacks of refreshing sleep occurring daily, accompanied by episodes of brief loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), Sleep-wake schedule disorder and other abnormalities that can occur during sleep

What are the Signs and Symptoms to Be Concerned About?

If several of the following are occurring, a serious condition may be developing.


    Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others.

    An unusual drop in functioning, especially at school or work, such as quitting sports, failing in school, or difficulty  performing familiar tasks.

    Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain.

    Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations.

    Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity; apathy.

    A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality.

    Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or  “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult.

    Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling.

    Uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.

    Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or deterioration in personal hygiene.

    Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings or “mood swings.”


One or two of these symptoms can’t predict a mental illness. But a person experiencing several together that are causing serious problems in his or her ability to study, work, or relate to others should be seen by a mental health professional. Guidance counselors, teachers or classmates are often the first to notice symptoms.

Suicidal thoughts or attempts and bizarrely violent or homicidal thoughts require immediate attention.

Untreated, these early symptoms may progress to a psychotic episode.That is, the individual may develop irrational beliefs (delusions), serious disturbances in perception (hallucinations), and disordered thought and speech, or become otherwise out of touch with reality. A psychotic episode can develop very gradually and may go untreated for extended periods of time.

Shame, fear, denial, and other factors often prevent individuals or their families from seeking help, even though the emergence of these symptoms as early as the teenage years is not caused by bad parenting. But help is available and treatments for major mental illnesses are more effective than ever before.