MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE

 MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE 

Myth: You have to be mentally ill to think about suicide.
Fact: Most people have thought of suicide from time to time and not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time of death. However, many people who kill themselves do suffer with their mental health, typically to a serious degree. Sometimes it’s known about before the person’s death and sometimes not. 

---

Myth: People who talk about suicide aren’t serious and won’t go through with it.
Fact: People who kill themselves have often told someone that they do not feel life is worth living or that they have no future. Some may have actually said they want to die. While it’s possible that someone might talk about suicide as a way of getting the attention they need, it’s vitally important to take anybody who talks about feeling suicidal seriously.
Myth: Once a person has made a serious suicide attempt, that person is unlikely to make another.
Fact: People who have tried to end their lives before are significantly more likely to eventually die by suicide than the rest of the population. 

---

Myth: If a person is serious about killing themselves then there is nothing you can do.
Fact: Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary, even if someone has been feeling low, anxious or struggling to cope for a long period of time. This is why getting the right kind of support at the right time is so important.

---

Myth: Talking about suicide is a bad idea as it may give someone the idea to try it. 
Fact: Suicide can be a taboo topic in society. Often, people feeling suicidal don’t want to worry or burden anyone with how they feel and so they don’t discuss it. By asking directly about suicide you give them permission to tell you how they feel. People who have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it is to be able to talk about what their experiencing. Once someone starts talking they’ve got a better chance of discovering other options to suicide.

---

Myth: Most suicides happen in the winter months.
Fact:  Suicide is more common in the spring and summer months.

---

Myth: People who threaten suicide are just attention seeking and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Fact: People who threaten suicide should always be taken seriously. It may well be that they want attention in the sense of calling out for help, and giving them this attention may save their life.

---

Myth: People who are suicidal want to die.
Fact: The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die; they do not want to live the life they have. The distinction may seem small but is in fact very important and is why talking through other options at the right time is so vital.



Source: Samaritans.org

In memory of Pharm. Paul

I read on Facebook that a classmate of mine who read pharmacy took his own life on Sunday.
It shook me. Honestly I vaguely remember him. His face is familiar that's about it. But the most painful is the fact that as health workers we do take things for granted. Our health most especially our mental health we overlook. We believe we 're superhuman. Others before us. It eventually tells on us.
The struggle is real. We are only humans. We know where to go but we belive it can't be us. I'll get over it. No!!!! You are human. At times we also need help.
To all my health workers out there, seek help even if you feel like you dont need it.
RIP to all those who no longer saw the light at the end of the tunnel and decided to take their lives. I don't judge you. I only wish I could have helped.

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

Stephanie is a mother of three. All her pregnancies and deliveries were uneventful. She went through the post natal period of her first two children without any issues. However after the delivery of her third child, she started feeling very sad, she would cry for unknown reasons, she was constantly worrying about the baby. She thought about ending her life daily even though her life seemed "relatively perfect". In her words

My postnatal depression snuck up on me as a dark shadow, every morning waking up and noticing a heaviness and blackness to my mood. The only 'comforts' were private fantasies about ending it all, running away, escaping my responsibilities, tearing myself to shreds to try and grasp why I felt so bleak."

POST PARTUM DEPRESSION/ POST NATAL DEPRESSION

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression. Unlike the baby blues (I discussed in my last write-up), postpartum depression is a more serious problem—one that shouldn't ignore. However, it’s not always easy to distinguish between the two.

HOW OFTEN DOES IT OCCUR

Postnatal depression occur in 10–15% of post-partum women usually within 3 months of childbirth.

 Those women who are emotionally unstable in the first week after childbirth are at an increased risk of developing postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression is not associated with social class nor number of children one has.

Common signs of depression

You may go through some of the following. You probably will not experience all of the symptoms

low and sadness

reduced self-esteem

tearfulness for no reason

anxiety particularly about the baby’s health and an inability to cope.

Mothers may experience reduced affection for their baby which may be expressed as Lack of interest in your baby, Negative feelings towards your baby

Worrying about hurting your baby

Lack of concern for yourself

Loss of pleasure

Lack of energy and motivation

Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

Changes in appetite or weight

Sleeping more or less than usual

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

CAUSES

There's no single cause of postpartum depression. It may start for no reason. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.

Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute to postpartum depression. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed. Changes in your blood volume, blood pressure, immune system and metabolism can contribute to fatigue and mood swings.

Emotional factors. When you're sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive or struggle with your sense of identity. You may feel that you've lost control over your life. Any of these factors can contribute to postpartum depression.

Lifestyle influences. Many lifestyle factors can lead to postpartum depression, including a demanding baby or older siblings, difficulty breast-feeding, financial problems, and lack of support from your partner or other loved ones.

RISK FACTORS

Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. The risk increases if:

You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times

You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy

You've experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss

You're having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other

You have a weak support system

You have financial problems

The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted

The Impact of Postpartum Depression on Children

Behavioral problems: Children of depressed mothers are more likely to develop behavioral problems down the line, including sleep problems, temper tantrums, aggression, and hyperactivity.

Delays in cognitive development: Development is often delayed in babies and children who have depressed mothers. They may learn to walk and talk later than other children. They may also have many other learning difficulties, including problems with school.

Social problems: Children of depressed mothers have difficulty establishing secure relationships. They may find it hard to make friends in school. They may be socially withdrawn, or they may act out in destructive ways.

Emotional problems: Studies have shown that children of depressed mothers have lower self-esteem, are more anxious and fearful, are more passive, and are less independent.

Depression: The risk of developing major depression early in life is particularly high for the children of mothers with postpartum depression.

TREATMENT

Self-help for postpartum depression

The best thing you can do if you have postpartum depression is to take care of yourself. The more you care for your mental and physical well-being, the better you’ll feel.

Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way towards helping you feel like yourself again.

Don’t skimp on sleep. A full eight hours may seem like an unattainable luxury when you’re dealing with a newborn, but poor sleep makes depression worse. Do what you can to get plenty of rest—from enlisting the help of your husband or family members to catching naps when you can.

Set aside quality time for yourself to relax and take a break from your mom duties. Find small ways to pamper yourself, like taking a bubble bath, savoring a hot cup of tea, or lighting scented candles.

Make meals a priority. When you’re depressed, nutrition often suffers. What you eat has an impact on mood, as well as the quality of your breast milk, so do your best to establish healthy eating habits.

Get out in the sunshine. Sunlight lifts your mood, so try to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun per day.

Ease back into exercise. Studies show that exercise may be just as effective as medication when it comes to treating depression, so the sooner you get back up and moving, the better. No need to overdo it: a 30-minute walk each day will work wonders.

Lean on others for help and support

Make your relationships a priority. When you’re feeling depressed and vulnerable, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to family and friends—even if you’d rather be alone. Isolating yourself will only make your situation feel even bleaker, so make your adult relationships a priority. Let your loved ones know what you need and how you’d like to be supported.

Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. In addition to the practical help your friends and family can provide, they can also serve as a much-needed emotional outlet. Share what you’re experiencing—the good, the bad, and the ugly—with at least one other person, preferably face to face. It doesn’t matter who you talk to, so long as that person is willing to listen without judgment and offer reassurance and support.

Join a group for new mothers. Even if you have supportive friends, you may want to consider seeking out other women who are dealing with the same transition into motherhood. It’s very reassuring to hear that other mothers share your worries, insecurities, and feelings.

COPING WITH POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION

Find people who can help you with child care, housework, and errands so you can get some much needed rest.

Make time for yourself every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Do something relaxing or that makes you feel good about yourself.

Keep a daily diary of your emotions and thoughts. Let everything out and keep track of your progress as you begin to feel better.

Give yourself credit for the things you’re able to accomplish, even if you only get one thing done in a day. If you aren’t able to get anything done, don’t be hard on yourself.

Give yourself permission to feel overwhelmed.

Remember that no one expects you to be supermom.

Be honest about how much you can do and ask others for help.

PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT

Individual therapy or marriage counseling – A good therapist can help you successfully deal with the adjustments of motherhood. If you are experiencing martial difficulties or are feeling unsupported at home, marriage counseling can be very beneficial.

Hormone therapy – Estrogen replacement therapy sometimes helps with postpartum depression. Estrogen is often used in combination with an antidepressant. There are risks that go along with hormone therapy, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best—and safest—for you.

Antidepressants – For severe cases of postpartum depression where you’re unable to care for yourself or your baby, antidepressants may be an option. However, medication use should be accompanied by therapy, and closely monitored by a physician.

POST NATAL BLUES

POST NATAL/POST PARTUM BLUES
Nike just had a baby after 8 years on waiting on the Lord.She was very happy her prayers had been answered. She bought all sort of baby things. As the first grandchild of both families there was so much fuss about the baby. Come delivery, everything went smoothly. Two days after the baby was born, Nike found herself irritated at the whole world, she sobbed for no reason. Got lost in thoughts. Nike was totally baffled as she was wondering why she wasn't overjoyed about the birth of her child. What Nike did not understand was she may have had post natal blues.

POST NATAL BLUES.
Postpartum simply means after delivery. Post partum blues is a very common thing. It occurs in almost 7 out of every 10 women who just put to bed. Its a bit distressing especially for new mothers who expect to be ecstatic and elated about the newly born. They find themselves tearful, cranky and a bit confused. For those who know, "its that what the heck is all this" you had after your baby. It is different from post partum depression in its intensity and duration. very simply put although not very correct, its a very mild form of depression after you put to bed.

To define it, Postpartum blues is a brief psychological disturbance, characterized by tearfulness, mood swings and confusion in mothers occurring in the first few days after childbirth lasting about 1-2 days. The new mother feels worried about her baby, anxious, unable to concentrate, tired and unable to sleep and tearful for no apparent reason.


HOW OFTEN DOES IT OCCUR?
It occurs in about 50%-75% of women commonest at the third to fifth day post delivery


CAUSES
There is no particular cause.

It is thought to be linked to hormonal changes that happen during the week giving birth. The body gradually returns to pre-pregnancy state.
Postnatal blues has been positively associated with:
1. Poor social adjustment: Having no friend or support system. No one to turn to in need of distress
2. poor marital relationship: difficulty with one's spouse
3. fear of labour
4. anxious and depressed mood during pregnancy.

There is no association between the development of postnatal blues and life events so its not a reaction to stressful things occurring around time of delivery, nor social class or obstetric factors.


HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
Post natal blues is not an illness. It resolves over a few days.


TREATMENT
There is no treatment per se as it's transient.
What can be done to help a new mother include
Reassuring the mother. Tell her she is a good mum.
Listening to her
Helping her out. In Nigeria, where the mother in law comes to stay as part of tradition, most might be an extra burden because you might have to cook and clean after them
Limit visitors. Its a joyous event but we know most babies are awake at night. A new mother sleeps when the baby is asleep and that is during the day. So visitors interrupt those precious few hours of sleep you get.


N.B
The summary of the medical jargons is post natal blues is very common. About half to two-thirds of all women experience it. So if you find yourself unduly teary, irritable after delivery it might be this.
But post natal blues is transient lasting 1-2days. It lasts less than a week. If you however find yourself feeling this way for a long period of time ( over 2 weeks, please see your doctor)

So a close friend of mine (you know yourself) has been on my case to start a blog and on advocacy on mental health. If you know me then you will know procrastination is my middle name. So a day post election, with the fear of election violence in my blessed country, while laying on the bed staring into space, it hits me. Why not start a blog on mental health relating to women. I then Google how to start a blog and in following the steps (thanks Google) I realize that I already had one. I started a blog in 2010 and I have only one post. It was meant to be a blog to describe the tales of an after two (aka mama born two who those of you who don't understand my lingo). So I guess this blog will be a combination of both. Considering child rearing has a major impact on mental health. So here goes nothing.