Halimatu decides to visit an ophthalmologist after months of unbearable eye pains. I find this short dialogue of her encounter intriguing, I hope you do too;
Doctor Rita: (shining the ophthalmoscope light into patient's pupil at arm's length) So how and where exactly does it hurt?
Patient Halimatu: (blinks repeatedly) The right eye hurt more...mostly, and I am particularly sensitive to light....indoor or outdoor....sun ray, phones, laptop, electric bulbs, usually more pronounced at night! The reflections cause sharp and deep pain!
Doctor Rita: Do you have a family history of blindness?
Patient Halimatu: (alarmed...) I was diagnosed with photo-phobia 9 years ago!!!...other than that I don't know.
Doctor Rita: How long have you had problems with the eyes?
Patient Halimatu: That will be during my first year as an undergraduate,....say early 2000s(still blinking repeatedly)
Doctor Rita: (sounding calmer) That's fine. But I need you to think back...do you know of ANY one in your family that was/is blind?
Patient Halimatu: (shifts uncomfortably) Doc? Am I going blind? (heartbeat raising faster) I do not know of any one in my immediate family with blindness, neither from the extended family members I met. But there is a history of eye problems....
Doctor Rita: Please try to relax. These are standard eye exam questions for better treatment options.
Patient Halimatu: (more apprehensive.....sweat dropping on forehead despite the air-conditioned consultation room) Am I going to be blind Dr. Rita? Please can you just tell me the truth....now?!
Doctor Rita: You need to take an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) test. It is only meant to further investigate and clear any doubts about your retina....no matter the outcome of the test, we are here to support you by giving the best treatment there is.That means you will be alright, If you act promptly .....We are with you all the way...ok?
Patient Halimatu: OCT test?...(looking confused....reluctantly node head in agreement )
Few hours later .......
Doctor Rita: I am sorry to say....the OCT test results indicates that you have open angle GLAUCOMA...You have to visit the clinic every 3 months for monitoring and evaluation.......meanwhile you need to visit consultation room 55 for.....
Patient Halimatu: (more confused ...blinks more rapidly &starring into space....lost in thoughts).
*Get Quick Facts on Glaucoma@ end of page
Halimatu recalls how the sharp pains became to be persistent, her old lenses no more able to cushion the piercing ray of pains emanating from the screen of her laptop. The work datelines and administrative emergent assignments requires taking office work home to clear her table and keep up with or surpass deadlines; That is what makes Halimatu stand-out from all other staff - her penchant for multitasking and delivering quality results! No one know the personal sacrifices made, such as skipping meals and staying up late till 3 A.M, most times."How come I have this inherited eye condition and it took this long to notice? She laments. Its been over 3 weeks of tortuous reddish and scratchy eye pain! But where is the time to go for an eye exam with so much work datelines and field activities?. I will find time to visit the optometrist, after I clear my table, she remembered saying".She kept postponing the inevitable.
By the 4th week both of Halimatu 's eyes were "bleeding" bitter tears uncontrollably. She finally decides to take official permission by scheduling a visit to the eye clinic, at the 5TH WEEK!. But she got the shocker from her boss. "The human eye is the window to a man's imagination. How can you postpone the eye exam for a week if your eyes is really "bleeding" tears? Please get to the doctor first thing in the morning, Halimatu's CEO said in all finality.
She sighs...replaying that event in her head. "Now see what a gift I received on my visit...GLAUCOMA?....and all along I have been putting work above and over the 2 month's warning signs ? What if?".....
The Psychology of Procrastination
In the beginning of the year, some folks have the custom of making "new year resolutions" with bigger goals and hopes. By the first quarter of the year, many are mentally walking aimlessly with no plans taking shape.One of the major obstacles have been attributed to PROCRASTINATION!Everyone have been a victim of procrastination, sometimes due to lack of self control, perceived/placement of priorities or outright lack of strategic or workable processes to start-up. But then, there is nothing wrong with "falling victim" to procrastination; it is how we handle the aftermath that matters. Wallowing in self-defect/pity or comparing yourself or "achievements" with your contemporaries, (who of course had different opportunities or background) can only weigh you down psychologically.
Did you know that procrastination is an emotion-focused coping strategy?
Procrastination is used as a *short-term mood repair. When we feel bad about a task at hand, the more the likelihood is there to procrastinate. For example, how easy for us to avoid tasks that are known to be boring, frustrating, or stressful? Very easy you would say, because human nature will tend to escape negative emotions associated with given tasks. Therefore, we tend to prioritize tasks that makes us feel good (*Flett, A., Haghbin, M., & Pychyl, T.A. (2016).Interestingly, studies* show that anxiety and depression have been positively associated with procrastination, including negative repetitive thoughts, due to thinking about past failures and fear of failing in the future (*Constantin, K., English, M.M., & Mazmanian, D. (2017).
Self-compassion and self-forgiveness are both related to less procrastination*(*Sirois, F.M. (2014). Procrastination and stress: Exploring the role of self-compassion. Self and Identity, 13, 128-145. DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2013.763404).
Tips to Beat Procrastination
What's the way forward? Going back to the drawing board I hear you say? Absolutely. Here is what Halimatu decided to do; visit a Psychologist for guide to balance work, with improved prioritized health. She shares some tips after consultation;- Mental Map; Creating a mental map/outline of what plans/goals by other of priority
- To-do-List; Write down 5-10 of the goals/plans
- Segregate; Divide these plans into parts; daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly
- Self-Control; This is a tricky one. We are not born with the quality, that means it need to be cultivated. How? Make conscious effort to follow through the daily goals, then progress to weekly and so on.
- Rewards; Learning to cultivate self-control results to self-satisfaction, no matter how "small" was achieved on a daily basis. That further motivates you to commit more to other written short or long term goals. Knowing that you will be rewarded with satisfaction and increased self-confidence in your abilities to be a goal-oriented is one of the keys to reach your full potentials.
- Start Again; Be modest in your expectations, and if you fail...try again &again. In order words, be compassionate enough to forgive yourself and move on to repeat steps 1-5! When should you begin steps 1-5?; Start NOW!!!I
Quick Facts on Glaucoma
- Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people, scientists have identified genes related to high eye pressure and optic nerve damage.
- Glaucoma is the 2nd leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and in Nigeria. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form with no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is at an advanced stage.
- 1.8 million people over 40 years suffer from glaucoma with almost 360,000 (20%) of them blind in both eyes(Population studies in Nigeria)
- Poor awareness, late detection and in appropriate treatment contribute to high number of blindness cases.
- Every Nigerian is at risk of the disease but higher in the population over 30 years.
- Glaucoma if recognised early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. But those with the condition, generally need treatment for life.
- Ophthalmologists recommend glaucoma screening every 4years beginning at age 40 if you don’t have any glaucoma risk factors, and 2 years if you’re at high risk or over 65.
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