BUNIA, DR Congo, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At an Ebola treatment center in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), saving lives sometimes begins with persuading frightened patients not to flee.
For clinical psychologist Theophraste Tetunabu, fear can be as formidable an obstacle as the disease itself. Some patients are terrified of dying, others struggle with isolation from their families, while some become so distressed that they resist the very treatment meant to save them.
"When patients are told they have tested positive, they fear death. Some may even decide to leave or run away," Tetunabu told Xinhua.
As the epidemic continues to spread across the country and beyond its borders, mental health workers like Tetunabu are fighting a quieter battle against fear, despair and social stigma, which can undermine treatment and leave lasting scars on survivors and their families.
FEAR OF BEING ALONE
For many patients, isolation is among the most distressing aspects of Ebola treatment.
In Congolese communities, illness traditionally brings family members together at the bedside. But Ebola patients must be separated from their loved ones to prevent further transmission, turning a familiar source of comfort into another casualty of the disease.
"In our culture, when someone is sick, there are usually two or three family members at their bedside," Tetunabu explained. "But when they come here, they have to be isolated, away from their families."
That sudden separation, coupled with fears surrounding the disease, can trigger intense anxiety, depression and resistance to treatment.
Tetunabu, who supervises mental health services at the center, said psychological support begins as soon as patients arrive for triage, by explaining treatment procedures, listening to patients' concerns and working the extra mile to reassure them that they are receiving appropriate care.
For some patients, the burden extends beyond their own health. A father undergoing isolation may worry about children left at home, household expenses or unpaid rent.
"If a patient is not psychologically prepared and supported, the situation becomes difficult, even with medical treatment," Tetunabu said, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among doctors, nurses, nutritionists and mental health specialists.
Some patients develop severe psychological distress, including depressive symptoms, agitation or aggressive behavior. In such cases, psychologists work with psychiatrists and other medical professionals to provide additional care.
Esperance, a nurse at the treatment center, has witnessed how a positive diagnosis can devastate patients emotionally.
"When someone is told they are a confirmed case, they think they are going to die," she said. "That is why we call on psychologists to support them, encourage them and give them the strength not to lose hope."
BATTLE AGAINST STIGMA
The psychological suffering does not necessarily end when patients recover. For some survivors, leaving the treatment center means entering another struggle, one against suspicion, rejection and discrimination within their own communities.
Tetunabu said families that have lost relatives to Ebola can find themselves shunned by neighbors and even abandoned by relatives.
"When a person dies of Ebola, there is social rejection. The community pushes you away, and sometimes even family members stop visiting," Tetunabu said.
Misconceptions and rumors about Ebola have also fueled mistrust, discouraging some patients from seeking treatment until their condition has worsened.
Psychologists therefore work to reconnect patients with their families during isolation and accompany survivors back into their communities, helping counter fears and discrimination.
According to the DRC health authorities, the country had recorded 9,704 confirmed Ebola cases, including 4,687 deaths as of Oct. 20, with the outbreak affecting eight provinces.
The World Health Organization said nearly 11,300 people had received mental health and psychosocial support in treatment and transit centers during the current outbreak.
For Tetunabu, seeing a once-terrified patient leave the treatment center is among the most rewarding moments of his work. "It is an enormous joy," he said, stressing that recovery must also mean helping survivors regain their place in society.
"Mental health equals hope," Tetunabu said. ■