In Kenya there is this common saying that goes ‘every market has its mad person’. In this western part of the country though, the number per market might be above that by a considerable margin. Let’s just say that every town here has several mad people bracing its streets and corridors.
The brain is the most complex of the organs in the human body. Ever wondered what causes people’s brain to snap? Why people lose their nerves and start doing insane things like obscene sexual offences, indecent exposure, tearing of clothing and other stuff you wouldn’t do I f you are sane enough to read and understand this article?
Madness can be classified in layman’s language into two simple categories; insane beliefs and insane acts. In insane acts the victim starts having illusions, talking to people no one else sees them but the victim believes they are there. He may even charge a spotlessly clean place of smelling obnoxious.
The victim might also attempt suicide severally, tear their own clothes; pick up stuff they don’t really need at random.
Mental illness or disorder is a psychological or behavioral pattern associated with distress or disability that occurs in a person which is not part of development or culture. its mostly seen as adisorder of the brain circuit likely caused by a complex interplay of genetics and experience.
Although a sudden shock may cause an attack of insanity, mental disorder development is usually a slow process which takes time. The causes of mental disorders cannot be pointed out specifically due to the many categories of mental illnesses.
The most convincing cause of mental disorders is often argued to be genetic vulnerabilities exposed by environmental factors
It is also evident that there is an established link between the various forms of the most severe cases of mental disorders and abuse (physical, sexual or mental) and neglect during childhood or the development years.
Studies have revealed that genes often play a big role in the development of mental disorders; athough identification of reliable connections between specific genes and specific categories of disorder has proven more difficult.
Environmental events surrounding pregnancy and birth have also been implicated. Traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of developing certain mental disorders.
There have been some tentative inconsistent links found to certain viral infections to substance misuse (e.g. bhang), and to general physical health.
Psychological mechanisms have also been implicated, such as cognitive (e.g. reason), emotional processes, personality, temperament and coping style.
Gender-specific indicators of mental illness incorporate physical or sexual abuse, stress, loss of social network -like friends and relatives, rape and domestic violence, high progesterone oral contraceptives, and mood disorders during early reproductive years.
It is important to note that a compination of biological, social, and behavioral health problems may result in intensified mental health issues. The disproportionate effects of these issues on women’s lives limit their coping skills, leading to negative behaviors such as substance abuse. Finally, these circumstances improve the risk of poor physical health, anxiety, and depression.
Back to our western people and most of them would tell you that there are supernatural or evil spirits involved with madness. Witchcraft is being blamed widely for most of the cases here and in many other regions in Kenya.
Some friends of mine from Luanda market tell me that if you murder a person and you are not cleaned properly, his or her blood will come hunting you. Or your wife might bewitch you, so be careful who you marry.
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