The loss of power has mentally affected Bharrat Jagdeo

Jul 06, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I am not a psychologist, I do not pretend to be one neither do I dream of becoming one. However, when I look at persons around me, be it, parents, children, colleagues, I conclude that some behaviours are not normal. Some are developed through consistent practice; some are shaped by their environment while others are just copycats. I can deal with those, especially when the behaviour can be changed through self-determination.
However, I am concerned about a public figure who always presents himself on the television. Every time I watch the news, I begin to second-guess myself. “Am I mad? Am I hearing correctly? Is it me or him?” “Is this man crazy? Is he serious? Does he believe the things that are coming out of his mouth?”
I am worried for him. I think he is hearing voices in his head. My suspicions of him started during the last election campaign, when he appeared to have pulled away from his party and kept a press conference by himself. He seemed to be answering questions which no one seemed to be asking. I doubted myself, maybe I was seeing incorrectly, but when I looked at every other press conference I would at least hear journalists identifying themselves and stating the media house which they represent.
However, in this man’s case, he was identifying persons who were either invisible or hiding under a chair or somewhere in his head. This behaviour went unnoticed for months. It has been over two years now and my suspicions continue to grow. He has been successful in attracting media houses to his press conferences. I believe these journalists in an attempt to provide unbiased news, attend these press conferences to lighten up their day, have a good laugh. I hope they are not second-guessing themselves too.
In an attempt to understand certain behaviours, I did some research and stumbled upon some information, which may explain this man’s behaviour. I MAY BE WRONG. If for some reason I am right, please help to find him a cure.
The source of the information is http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-psychotic-disorders#1
Psychotic disorders are a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. They make it hard for someone to think clearly, make good judgments, respond emotionally, communicate effectively, understand reality, and behave appropriately.
When symptoms are severe, people with psychotic disorders have trouble staying in touch with reality and often are unable to handle daily life. But even severe psychotic disorders usually can be treated. There are different types of psychotic disorders, including:
Schizophrenia : People with this illness have changes in behavior and other symptoms — such as delusions and hallucinations — that last longer than 6 months. It usually affects them at work or school, as well as their relationships.
Schizoaffective disorder: People have symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Schizophreniform disorder: This includes symptoms of schizophrenia, but the symptoms last for a shorter time: between 1 and 6 months.
Brief psychotic disorder: People with this illness have a sudden, short period of psychotic behavior, often in response to a very stressful event, such as a death in the family. Recovery is often quick — usually less than a month.
Delusional disorder : The key symptom is having delusions (a false, fixed belief) involving real-life situations that could be true but aren’t, such as being followed, being plotted against, or having a disease. These delusions last for at least 1 month.
Shared psychotic disorder (also called folie à deux): This illness happens when one person in a relationship has a delusion and the other person in the relationship adopts it, too. (This man has managed to transfer his delusion to most if not all of his followers. He has taken away their power to reason clearly.)
This article is not intended to stain, disrespect or laugh at anyone. In Guyana, we take mental illness for granted and only deem it serious when persons are issued a mental illness certificate or are walking and eating out of bins on the streets. I think the abrupt loss of power has affected Mr. Jagdeo in a negative way. He is now behaving like a child whose chocolate has been taken away and wants it back. He will not stop throwing tantrums until he gets his chocolate back.
Mr. Jagdeo needs help and he needs it soon. I suggest he gets checked up soon, Royston King, Patricia Chase Green should be considered for an appointment with the psychiatrist also.
Tearra De Silva

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