Dr Omphemetse Mahuma is a heathcare practitioner, specialising as a Psychiatrist from Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province, with a particular interest in Psychogeriatrics. Psychogeriatrics is a branch of psychiatry concerned with behavioural and emotional disorders among the elderly. It refers to various mental health conditions or disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behaviour. Dr Mahuma firmly believes that early identification, classification, and differential diagnosis are significant at the primary care level for the timely management of these common problems of old age.
Dr Mahuma established her solo practice in February 2023. Her private practice enables her the privilege of being a witness to people's growth and development and being able to continue a process with individuals.
Medical and psychology studies were a natural choice for Dr Mahuma. She loves helping people get well physically, emotionally and mentally and regards the counselling relationship as a partnership where two people work towards an agreed- upon goal.
She feels privileged to be in a position where people confide in her. She loves helping people get well and particularly enjoys taking the journey of recovery with her patient.
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Depression
Anxiety disorders
Schizophrenia
Eating disorders
Addictive behaviours
The three Ds of geriatric psychiatry are common and challenging diagnoses among the elderly:
Delirium is a mental state in which a person is confused and has reduced awareness of their surroundings. The person may also be anxious, agitated, or have less energy than usual and be tired or depressed. Delirium is often challenging to diagnose and is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in older adults.
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with everyday activities. Dementia affects a significant number of older adults and is associated with delirium, depression, frailty, and failure to thrive. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Though dementia primarily affects older adults, it is not a part of normal ageing.
Depression, too, increases with increasing age. Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, 5% of adults are estimated to suffer from the disorder. It is characterised by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite. Tiredness and poor concentration are common.
These three syndromes can exist simultaneously in the same patient and often confer increased risk for each other, especially in the geriatric population.
