‘I felt I knew God, and that I was his second son. I began writing a new religion, a mixture of Christianity, Islam and my own reflections. I’d never been so excited’
I started taking the anti-malarial drug Lariam before going to Ghana in October 2013. I was 20 years old, living near Rotterdam and studying healthcare technology – the trip was part of my degree. The nurse asked me if I or anyone in my family had ever had psychological problems, which I hadn’t. She warned me that some people experience side-effects, including hallucinations. I pocketed my prescription and set a reminder on my phone to take one pill a week.
Looking back, I can see the effects started before I left for Ghana, but at the time I blamed it on the stress of the trip ahead. My mind became chaotic, and I couldn’t make any decisions. I tried to pack, but would take something in each hand and stare at them in confusion. In the end, I had to ask my mum to help.
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