Tabanca is a real illness

I had a serious dose of Carnival tabanca, as it would be only the fourth time in my adult life that I can recall missing the festivities.

The four-hour time difference meant that most people in the UK were asleep, but I was wide awake, with a cup of tea to keep me warm, taking in the various Carnival shows via livestream. In the days just before Carnival I ended up ignoring friends who were also struggling with their own Carnival tabanca – you see misery likes company so we would collectively express our woes at missing the greatest show on earth, then resort to tormenting each other with photos and videos showing us having fun in the sun at past Carnivals. When the tabanca became unbearable I wished ill on those leaving the UK to enjoy the Carnival – I willed the doubles man to put heavy pepper with a high Scoville index instead of slight, and for the delicious delight to burn them on the way in and on the way out. I had a daily challenge trying to resist the urge to throw caution to the wind and board a flight to TT.

According to the English Oxford Living Dictionary, tabanca is defined as a “painful feeling of unrequited love, typically for a former lover and causing unbalanced or violent behaviour”. I am sure many of you can relate to having experienced a tabanca – that episode of distress when your emotions are running riot because you have a powerful uncontrolled desire for a particular person. You crave their company to the point where it begins to consume your every thought. You start behaving in an uncharacteristic manner, checking your phone constantly, and every time it beeps you silently hope and pray that it is a call, text or WhatsApp message from that special person.

In my case the tabanca was not for a person, but for that once-a-year experience of sun, soca, steelpan, and stress release that is TT Carnival.

Tabanca is characterised as emotional turmoil that affects thoughts, behaviours and concentration, often accompanied with physical manifestations such as changes in appetite, loss of energy, disturbed sleep, and aches and pains - the same symptoms of depression.

But as a society we continue to make light of it even though for many it can be very debilitating. How many times have we heard about someone “toting a tabanca” and although what they are experiencing is a genuine mental health challenge, instead of receiving empathy and compassion, a negative judgmental remark or comment is made.

This cavalier attitude is one of the reasons why in most instances depression goes undiagnosed and untreated.

The World Health Organization characterises depression as one of the most disabling disorders in the world, affecting roughly one in five women and one in ten men at some point in their lifetime.

It also happens to be the most common mental health disorder globally.

Depression is no joke, it is a real illness! But if early identification and interventions are sought, the symptoms can be managed more easily and there are many effective strategies for living with the illness. For those faced with the challenges of tabanca and depression, there are several approaches available depending upon each individual’s characteristics and symptoms. For example, various types of psychotherapy that rely upon interpersonal treatment sessions with a trained professional, and a range of medications can ease the turmoil. In addition, lifestyle changes, including improvements in sleeping and eating habits, physical activity and stress reduction are incredibly helpful in managing symptoms.

To those who offered me costumes, tickets to Soca Monarch, Panorama, Vale fete and Dimanche Gras, even though you knew I was not in TT , I hope your generosity extends to 2018 because my flight is booked already.

FRSA is a UKbased disability and mental health specialist advisor. She is a social change trainer and facilitator who works internationally, at various levels of government, business, and civil society. Contact her at yr@efficacyeva.

com