JamiiTalks
JF Advocacy Team
- Aug 7, 2018
- 628
- 953
Kujitibu mwenyewe (Self Treatment) kunaweza kuwa na hatari nyingi. Mtu kujifanyia tathmini ya Kiafya (Self Diagnosis) bila mafunzo ya Kitaalamu inaweza kusababisha kutambua vibaya hali inayomsumbua
Hii inaweza kusababisha Matumizi mabaya ya Dawa au tiba ambazo zinaweza kusababisha madhara zaidi au kuzorotesha Afya.
Self-medication is the practice of an individual using available medications or substances to treat self-diagnosed symptoms or conditions. In general, the practice of self-medication applies to any ailment or condition that a person may treat without the help of a healthcare professional. This includes minor injuries or illnesses such as the common cold
Dangers and risks arise with self-medication when people turn to self-medication when trying to treat more serious health conditions, such as mental health conditions, that require appropriate intervention from a medical professional. Rather than consulting a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis and medical treatment, many people use supplements and other substances, sometimes drugs and alcohol, to try to cope with the symptoms they are experiencing. This practice can result in improper treatment of symptoms and conditions as well as potentially cause new conditions, such as substance use disorders or addiction.
The Self-Medication Hypothesis
The self-medication hypothesis was first presented in the 1980s as a reason behind how and why individuals are drawn to and become dependent on heroin and cocaine. The main concept behind the theory is that individuals discover the specific actions or effects of certain substances and then use specific substances to relieve or change the symptoms or emotions they are experiencing. For example, someone living with anxiety would specifically use alcohol for its calming and sedating effects. The self-medication hypothesis seems intuitive but it has received mixed reviews from the medical community and it has been both accepted and dismissed.
Regardless of the theories behind why someone with a mental health condition could be drawn to substances, the linkage between mental health conditions and substance use disorders is undeniable and has been of concern for many years. “Co-occurring disorder” is the term used when a person is diagnosed with both a mental health condition and substance use disorder. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 18.7 million adults aged 18 and older with substance use disorder, 8.5 million had co-occurring substance use disorder and acute mental illness, and 3.1 million had co-occurring substance use disorder and serious mental illness.
Why Self-Medicate?
Self-medication of mental health conditions with substances is generally accepted as having very limited benefit in treating the condition and may potentially worsen the symptoms. However, to the person who is self-medicating, the typical rationale may not apply. There is a vast array of reasons why someone may decide to self-medicate with substances in order to cope with their symptoms of mental health conditions. Although the exact reason is very specific to an individual’s situation, there are some commonly understood reasons including.
The cost of medical treatment, including doctor visits and medications
Fear of seeking treatment due to perceived negative stigmas
Hiding or denying a condition
Inefficient medications used for treatments in the past
Fear of side effects from medications
The reasoning behind why someone may choose to self-medicate may not make sense to others. However, it is important not to dismiss their thinking. When helping someone who is self-medicating as a way to cope with mental illness, compassionate intervention is key to guiding them toward appropriate mental health treatment.
Hii inaweza kusababisha Matumizi mabaya ya Dawa au tiba ambazo zinaweza kusababisha madhara zaidi au kuzorotesha Afya.
Self-medication is the practice of an individual using available medications or substances to treat self-diagnosed symptoms or conditions. In general, the practice of self-medication applies to any ailment or condition that a person may treat without the help of a healthcare professional. This includes minor injuries or illnesses such as the common cold
Dangers and risks arise with self-medication when people turn to self-medication when trying to treat more serious health conditions, such as mental health conditions, that require appropriate intervention from a medical professional. Rather than consulting a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis and medical treatment, many people use supplements and other substances, sometimes drugs and alcohol, to try to cope with the symptoms they are experiencing. This practice can result in improper treatment of symptoms and conditions as well as potentially cause new conditions, such as substance use disorders or addiction.
The Self-Medication Hypothesis
The self-medication hypothesis was first presented in the 1980s as a reason behind how and why individuals are drawn to and become dependent on heroin and cocaine. The main concept behind the theory is that individuals discover the specific actions or effects of certain substances and then use specific substances to relieve or change the symptoms or emotions they are experiencing. For example, someone living with anxiety would specifically use alcohol for its calming and sedating effects. The self-medication hypothesis seems intuitive but it has received mixed reviews from the medical community and it has been both accepted and dismissed.
Regardless of the theories behind why someone with a mental health condition could be drawn to substances, the linkage between mental health conditions and substance use disorders is undeniable and has been of concern for many years. “Co-occurring disorder” is the term used when a person is diagnosed with both a mental health condition and substance use disorder. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 18.7 million adults aged 18 and older with substance use disorder, 8.5 million had co-occurring substance use disorder and acute mental illness, and 3.1 million had co-occurring substance use disorder and serious mental illness.
Why Self-Medicate?
Self-medication of mental health conditions with substances is generally accepted as having very limited benefit in treating the condition and may potentially worsen the symptoms. However, to the person who is self-medicating, the typical rationale may not apply. There is a vast array of reasons why someone may decide to self-medicate with substances in order to cope with their symptoms of mental health conditions. Although the exact reason is very specific to an individual’s situation, there are some commonly understood reasons including.
The cost of medical treatment, including doctor visits and medications
Fear of seeking treatment due to perceived negative stigmas
Hiding or denying a condition
Inefficient medications used for treatments in the past
Fear of side effects from medications
The reasoning behind why someone may choose to self-medicate may not make sense to others. However, it is important not to dismiss their thinking. When helping someone who is self-medicating as a way to cope with mental illness, compassionate intervention is key to guiding them toward appropriate mental health treatment.
