Her sad story has been highlighted in the media for all and sundry drawing sharp criticism towards the government for letting its national heroes and heroines wallow in abject poverty and face a myriad of misfortunes.
For Conjestina Achieng, a revered Boxer during her heydays, now she has turned into a pale shadow of her former self. Conjestina earned a reputation of boxing her opponents in straight knock outs, winning accolades and award after another, Conjestina Achieng, is living a tough life in her rural home in Yala, Siaya County.
The former female world boxing champion has now been reduced to a life of a common villager struggling to make ends meet.
Conjestina was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder or paranoid schizophrenia, a chronic mental illness in which a person loses touch with reality.
Well, here are things you should know about schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, relates to others and perceives reality.
1% of the population (2.2 million Americans) will develop schizophrenia.
There are five subtypes of schizophrenia: paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, undifferentiated schizophrenia, and residual schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations and catatonia, which is when a person stays in a single position for a long period of time.
Cognitive symptoms include trouble focusing or paying attention, and difficulty remembering.
Negative symptoms are defined as the absence of normal behaviors. This includes reduced speech and energy, lack of motivation, lack of emotion, and withdrawal from family and friends.
Although the cause is unknown, this mental illness can be developed through factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, brain abnormality and environmental factors.
Schizophrenia typically appears when a person is in his or her teens to early 20s.
About 10% of people with schizophrenia commit suicide and are more likely to have a drug or alcohol abuse problem.
Most people prefer to be left alone and are not violent.
Treatments such as taking medication, participating in therapy and being hospitalized can reduce symptoms
