Begins Early in Life and Can Shape Adult Behaviour – KATH Specialist Explains
The Planning Committee Chair for the KATH Mental Health Awareness Month celebrations and Specialist at the Psychiatry Unit, Dr. Pearl Adu Nyako, has explained that mental illness can closely linked to early brain development and can influence a person’s emotions, behaviour, and responses later in life.
She made the remarks in an interview with Opemsuo Radio’s Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso where she stressed that mental health is not a distant or rare condition but one that begins forming from early childhood.
“Mental illness is very close to all of us. From the day life begins in the mother’s womb, the brain starts developing, and its foundation begins to shape future behaviour, emotions, and responses,” she said.
Dr. Adu Nyako explained that during early childhood, particularly between six months and three years, the brain develops protective mechanisms that influence how individuals respond to safety, fear, and emotional experiences.
She noted that when children do not feel secure, they may develop separation anxiety, where they experience intense distress when separated from parents or caregivers.
According to her, such early emotional patterns can persist into adulthood and affect relationships, especially when a person has experienced trauma, abuse, or significant emotional distress during childhood.
“These experiences can shape how the brain responds to fear and danger later in life, sometimes making individuals react more strongly than necessary to everyday situations,” she explained.
She further indicated that conditions such as social anxiety disorder may develop when past experiences like embarrassment, humiliation, or public criticism are stored in the brain and later trigger fear in similar situations.
Dr. Adu Nyako said anxiety disorders often present with symptoms such as trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat, or fainting, especially in social settings.
She also discussed Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), explaining that some individuals experience constant worry, racing thoughts, and physical tension even when there is no clear cause of fear.
On eating disorders, she noted that negative comments about body image can sometimes contribute to unhealthy eating behaviours, leading to conditions such as anorexia and bulimia.
She further mentioned Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), particularly contamination OCD, which may develop in individuals exposed to environments where hygiene and infection control are critical, such as hospitals and laboratories.
Dr. Adu Nyako urged early identification and treatment of mental health conditions, noting that psychologists and mental health professionals can provide counselling, coping strategies, and support to help individuals manage symptoms effectively.
She warned that untreated mental health conditions can affect productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life, stressing the importance of early intervention and public awareness.
