What do Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Ernest Hemingway have in common? Yes, they battled Major Depressive Disorder throughout their lives. Depression is a massive issue and it affects everyone in many ways at certain stages in life.
Depression is like any other illness. Unfortunately, it is misunderstood due to misinformation, disinformation and unfounded non-scientific thinking. This is the danger in Asia today where the rate of suicide is spiralling out of control.
Today depression in Malaysia has reached a terrifying and alarming level. The danger is that no one can see depression and anyone in depression is very good at masking it. The problems of the 21st Century are just unfolding and we cannot use 20th Century solutions to resolve the problems which will likely be faced by our descendants (our children).
So what can be done? What are the prerequisites required to prevent falling into depression and seek help if your wife, your sister, your mother or even your friend have gone into depression including Postpartum Depression?
DSM 5, describes Postpartum Depression (PPD) as a major depressive episode, meaning it occurs during pregnancy or within the four weeks following delivery. PPD and Postnatal Depression are the same and it occurs in women after childbirth. According to research around 20% of Postpartum women will go into depression.
Severe PPD can lead to psychosis and during severe major depression, psychosis which affects the mind, specifically thoughts and perception, can lead to loss of contact with reality. The dangers of untreated depression are real and if left unchecked, especially major depressive disorder, can lead to self-harm and suicide.
This clearly indicates the dangers of PPD or any major depression disorder which can be very deleterious to the affected person if help is not forthcoming. Adele, a top British songstress suffered from severe PPD and so did Brooke Shields who wrote a book about her painful journey battling it.
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Usually almost all diagnosis is about ascertaining the onset of depression and to detect signs and symptoms which have persisted for two weeks or more. I know and I can still remember it well - the terrible, terrifying, joy hijacking and pleasure destroying symptoms.
All types of depression are painful, from the mildest (Dysthymia) to the life threatening Melancholia (Major Depressive Disorder).
Winston Churchill called it a very very dark place while Abraham Lincoln suffered from Melancholia throughout his life, as did Hemingway, Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Platt.
The darkness when in depression is very difficult to describe. It is not the literal understanding of the word darkness where there will be light at the end. But in depression it is a darkness so numbing, terrifying, paralyzing, traumatizing that you can sit under the direct sun or a powerful torchlight and yet never overcome it.
Based on my personal experience, depression is both psychological and physical. The brain shuts down due to extreme Mind blowing Stress or Chemical Imbalances in the body and this happens especially to pregnant women and Postpartum.
The signs and symptoms of PPD affect both the emotional and physical well being of women. The Postpartum Woman will experience deep sadness, an empty feeling and mood swing. Severe mood swings will lead her to feeling helpless, hopeless and worthless.
The constant battle in overcoming depression is like trying to avoid a sledgehammer which continues pounding you nonstop resulting in extreme exhaustion which can lead to hypersomnia or even insomnia. (I know how it is and how bad it can get)
Due to the severity of the emotional turmoil and extreme low mood it will adversely impact the bonding between the mother and baby. PPD can make a woman hate her own child. Imagine that for a moment?
PPD is a mood disorder which is treatable. When a mother has difficulty bonding with her baby then it becomes harder to care for the baby. One must know that severe depression can lead to psychotic episodes. They could overeat or not eat at all, and self-care will be terribly dismal.
When a woman has been ruminating about feeling helpless, hopeless and worthless for a long time, thoughts of self harm and suicide will entail.
Can Post-Partum Depression lead to Suicide?
Yes, of course. Whether it is a teenager with depression or an adult with severe major depression, it is evidence-based fact that left untreated major depression can lead to suicide.
PPD is a major depressive disorder and chances are high specifically for young mothers.
Treatments Available Today for Post-Partum Depression
According to studies done in the US, PPD begins two weeks to a month after delivery. We are aware of its signs and, as family members, must keep a close watch on our loved ones after childbirth.
PPD can adversely impact the normal maternal-bonding and will affect the baby too. Research shows that children and infants with PPD mothers will have their thinking and emotional regulation abilities impacted negatively.
A happy mother leads to a happy child. Women with PPD respond quite positively to psychotherapy - a talk therapy which is structured and conducted by a trained psychologist and psychiatrist.
You see when a woman is having PPD the husband can be impacted too. It is not easy. In fact it is a terrifying ordeal for any one who is required to take care of a family member with depression.
PPD is a medical condition where medical treatment is essential. Women with PPD will be given controlled dosage of antidepressants like SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
SSRI helps to balance the mood where serotonin, a mood neurotransmitter, is impacted very badly during depression. Severely depressed patients do not eat well and nutrient absorption is impacted.
Antidepressants are the first line of treatment for depression and it is not a panacea. Antidepressants work for most patients but a good experienced psychiatrist can do a marvelous job.
In conclusion, if you have any family member having PPD, please get them to seek treatment and if they diligently follow the treatment schedule given by the psychiatrist then chances of recovery are high.
As a family member or friend, make and spend time to help a PPD mother in any way you can. Trust it will be worth your time because there are no vaccines and immunity against any form of depression.
Learn to help those around you to get back on their feet. Depression is curable and with science, human touch, patience and understanding, you can make a difference to the PPD patient.
