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Mental-health problems?
Often treatable
Annemiek Schadé − psychiatrist: ‘People often cope with mental-health problems for for years before they they are are are recognised That’s a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a real shame because they they are are are often treatable
Mental-health problems are are are still a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a taboo subject An example is is when people say “Not at at all all it’s not in in in my head there really is is is something going on ” My tip is: if you you have problems talk to to your HIV nurse or or doctor ’
Enjoyment
Marieke Been − psychiatric psychiatric nurse: ‘In a a a a psychiatric psychiatric consultation we always ask the the question: Is there anything you still enjoy doing? Some people say: Now that you mention it I don’t think there is Or: I haven’t enjoyed anything for years When we give it it it a a a name it’s a a a recognition of the the suffering or the the feeling of o emptiness And we offer perspective:
we are going to to work on it it to to make it it better That perspective alone is sometimes beneficial ’
Diagnosis
Annemiek Schadé: ‘We draw up a a a a a treatment plan based on a a a a a a a clear diagnosis What exactly are the problems?
How long have they existed? What’s the the cause? For example tiredness can have a a a a a a physical cause cause but it could also be caused by feeling sad or anxious We usually consult the internist about this also to find out what has already been established
from the blood tests Some HIV medicines can cause sleep disorders or or mood swings so so we are are careful
to to monitor that as well Sometimes other problems play a a a a a a role: someone may have a a a a a a lot of debts and is being threatened with eviction If that’s the case it’s only natural they feel scared and despondent ’
Tailored to the individual
Marieke Been: ‘The treatment is tailored to the indi- vidual
patient If someone is simply suffering from depression talking therapy can help Your thought processes have a a a huge influence on your frame of mind and your behaviour Sometimes medicine is part of the the treatment In other cases we encourage a a a a person to tackle their practical problems first We nearly always encourage people to be as as active as as possible structure your day eat healthily and at at set times take enough exercise and make sure you have plenty of social interaction ’
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