You cannot do your work because there is no electricity. You eat late and lock up your food before the lights go out. And then to be at home in total darkness gives you goosebumps.
As power outages spread across South Africa, sparked by problems that have overwhelmed its energy supplier, stress is taking a growing toll on mental health, experts say.
“People are frustrated, some (are) angry, some are experiencing symptoms” of post-traumatic stress disorder, said Sinqobile Aderinoye, a psychologist in Johannesburg.
“The constant switching on and off of the power grid is a disillusionment.”
South Africa has struggled for years with power outages, known here as load shedding, as its monopoly utility Eskom has been unable to keep up with demand.
But aging infrastructure and labor disputes have compounded the crisis – and in recent weeks the country has been hit by power outages that can last up to nine hours a day.
“There was a time … I felt like I was going to scream,” said Blessed Dlamini, 25, a father living in downtown Johannesburg.
He recalled being without strength for five hours while struggling to work and at the same time deal with a hungry two-year-old.
“It was very, very hectic,” said Dlamini, who works for a sexual health center.
Power outages have eased this week, with cuts reduced to about two hours a day.
But the cutbacks schedule provided by Eskom isn’t always followed, leading to an unpredictability that makes many people nervous.
The crisis “is leading to feelings of hopelessness that accompany depression,” said Claire Lownie, a psychiatrist at Johannesburg’s Sandton financial hub.
– fight or flight-
Plunged into darkness with a sense of unmet basic needs, the human brain can be put into survival mode, resulting in a fight-or-flight response, Aderinoye explained.
“The brain begins to believe that we are under attack. The body is then notified that we’re in danger, and we create a fear response,” she said.
At work, on the street, or at the dinner table, sharing tips on how to cope with power outages has become a national pastime.
Some people prefer the romantic feel of candles to light up their home, while others resort to camping lanterns.
Others debate whether it’s better to spend money on take-out than to invest in gas cookers or simply eat at odd hours.
But in a country with a high crime rate, failure is no simple inconvenience. The fear of burglary, physical harm or rape runs deep.
“You can’t walk around when it’s dark,” said Flora Sithole, 30, a domestic worker employed in Rosebank, a suburb of Johannesburg.
“We’re so scared of it – it’s not safe. Our country is not safe.”
The added stress caused by power outages often exacerbates an already precarious situation, psychologists say.
According to Cheryl Johnston, a Johannesburg-based psychologist, anxiety, depression and other disorders have already risen by nearly two-thirds since the coronavirus pandemic began.
“A lot of people are at or crossing (their) breaking point,” she said.
The result can be “abnormal behavior” as well as angry or violent outbursts, Johnston said.
According to health experts, it’s best to have a plan and be prepared to deal with the cuts.
Dlamini said he joined Twitter to follow the city’s electricity updates more closely.
Better mental health awareness is also crucial, Johnston said.
“Being able to be honest with yourself about the feelings you’re having and waiting for you to be calm before taking action … is the best thing you can do,” she said.
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