ABOUT
Dr Rebone Sebothoma is a specialist psychiatrist who is passionate about solving mental health issues from her practice based in Alberton. Dr Sebothoma grew up in a rural village in Limpopo, where her passion for psychiatry and helping the mentally ill started.
Her passion for psychiatry grew after she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Psychology. After this, Dr Sebothoma attained her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA). Shortly after moving to Gauteng, she completed her specialisation in Psychiatry at Wits University and attained a Fellowship in Psychiatry at the College of Medicine of South Africa. Dr Sebothoma is currently completing her Masters in Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand with a thesis on substance abuse during pregnancy. She is employed full-time as a psychiatrist at the Department of Health in Gauteng and a psychiatry lecturer at Wits University.
Dr Rebone Sebothoma makes a difference in all her patients’ lives through family therapy and psychoeducation tactics to eradicate the stigma of mental illness.
Life Brackenview Hospital, 22 De Waal Street,
Brackendowns, Alberton, 1401, Johannesburg,
East Rand, Gauteng
Services includes :
- Major depressive disorders
Major depressive disorders fall under the category of clinical depression. Everyone feels depressed for some time, but clinical depression is a major illness that persists over time. Symptoms of major depressive disorders include prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness, bursts of anger and a variation in sleeping patterns such as insomnia or excessive sleep. There are risk factors like genetics, hormones, medication and brain chemistry that contribute to major depressive disorders. Whatever the reason for clinical depression, Dr Sebothoma prescribes medication and initiates therapy to treat the disorder. It's vital to seek help as soon as signs of these disorders begin to show to prevent them from escalating. - Anxiety disorders
Feeling anxious is normal but persistent anxiety can be debilitating. There are different types of severe anxiety disorders that affect a person's mood and functions. A panic attack accompanies any anxiety disorder. People who develop anxiety disorders experience chest pain, heart palpitations and may, in severe cases, have a heart attack. Social anxiety disorder is an irrational phobia of people and being in crowded places. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include sweating, lack of focus, elevated heart rate, irritability and abnormal sleeping patterns. People develop an irrational fear of not just people but of heights, enclosed spaces, insects and birds. Direct contact with the phobia triggers symptoms of stress and severe panic. Finding the root cause of anxiety disorders is part of the solution for treating these conditions. - Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder causes mood changes that shift from hypomania to mania. Mania happens when the person engages in risky behaviour such as unprotected sex, gambling or drinking too much alcohol. Mood swings affect one’s energy, thinking and behaviour, which can impact their performance at work significantly. Bipolar disorder is a condition that needs to be managed through psychological counselling and psychiatric drugs. After adequate treatment through drugs and therapy, people living with bipolar disorder can enjoy a better quality of life. - Addiction psychiatry
An addiction to substances or habits can affect all spheres of one’s life. A few of the most common addictions are alcohol abuse, sexual intercourse and gambling. Addiction psychiatry helps identify the cause of addiction and cut off ties to these addictions. The patient’s life will improve as soon as their dependence on sex, substances or gambling is reduced. When the desire for these vices dissipates, side effects of cold turkey, like tremors, migraines and lack of appetite, begin to show. Dr Sebothoma provides counselling or behavioural therapy and prescribes medication to manage these symptoms in her patients. - Child and adolescent psychiatry
Children and teenagers undergo plenty of hardship in life. Despite all their challenges in life, they have to move on with academics and cultural interests to pursue their niche much later in the future. Bullying at school, a recent tragedy in the family or over-achieving parents can affect their mood and academic performance. When children and adolescents are faced with an obstacle too difficult to overcome, they act out. A recent change in their behaviour like aggression for no reason, a long period of sadness, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm are all signs to look out for as this is an indication of a psychiatric disorder. - Personality disorders
Personality disorders influence moods, thinking and behaviour. People who have personality disorders struggle to communicate with others effectively. Symptoms of personality disorders include aggression, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, antisocial and impulsive behaviour. Childhood trauma such as child abuse and neurological conditions are possible causes of personality disorders. Personalities change from being submissive to over-confident, sometimes borderline narcissistic. Also, social interactions vary as the person may avoid social gatherings as a result of the disorder. Dr Sebothoma helps her patients manage symptoms of personality disorders to establish healthy relationships with their colleagues, family and friends.
