Postpartum Depression is recently discussed on Facebook in connection with the sudden passing of a freelance model in Davao. In light of the sad news, many mother netizens shared their personal experience on how they dealt with this condition.
What is Postpartum Depression? Why is it important to know this condition of the pregnant women, and newborn mothers? Why this condition should be know by the people around them?
A Facebook Page, Healthy Guides posted an easy to understand brief explanation of Postpartum Depression. including its signs and symptoms, and remedies to do. See the full text of the posts written in Filipino:
Ano ang mga dapat gawin kapag may POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
Kapag nagbubuntis ang babae nagbabago ang hormones nito, madalas hindi balanse lalo na kapag nanganak na. Ang estrogen at progesterone ay bigla-biglang bumabagsak at dahil dito naaapektohan ang chemical sa utak dahilan upang makaramdam ng mga sumusunod:
• Mabilis magalit
• Mabilis mairita
• Nakakadama ng pagkawalang halaga sa sarili
• Madaling magpanik
• Lubhang pagkabalisa
• Kawalang gana kumain o madalas kumain kaysa sa dati
• Nahihirapang matulog(insomnia)
• Matamlay
• Madalas umiiyak
• Nahihirapang makipag-bonding sa anak
• Iniisip na saktan ang sarili o ang anak.
• Madalas sumasama ang loob kahit sa maliit na bagay
• Madalas nagiisip ng masama tulad ng pagpakamatay.
Kapag hindi ito agarang nagamot ay maaring tumagal ng ilang buwan o taon hanggang sa lumala at mauwi sa pagkitil ng buhay o pagkabaliw.
Ang mga sumusunod ay nakakatulong upang gumaling o makabawi ng mabilis.
• Magpaaraw- Lumabas ng bahay bawat umaga para magpaaraw at mag lakad2x kahit 20 minuto lamang. Nakakatulong ito upang marefresh ang pag iisip.
• Gawing priority ang masustansyang pagkain- nakakatulong ito upang magkaroon ng tamang bitamina at minerals na kailangn ng ating katawan lalo na ng ating utak.
• Iwasan ang matatamis na pagkain,inumin at kape – maari itong makadagdag sa depression na nararamdaman dahil sa mga hindi natural na mga chemical na ginamit.
• Iwasan ang alak at paninigarilyo – hindi lang ito masama sa katawan, mayroon din itong negative psychological effect kaya madalas hindi nakokontrol ang mga sinasabi at ginagawa.
• Importanteng malaman mo kung ano ang mga maliliit na bagay na nakakagaan ng loob o ikasisiya mo na nakakabuti sa iyong physical at mental health.
• Maglaan ng panahon para sa sarili kahit tatlong oras lamang para magawa ang nakakagaan ng kalooban.
• Makipag usap sa taong pinagkakatiwalaan mo.
• Sumangguni sa Health expert- Huwag mahiyang pumunta agad sa mga health expert tulad ng psychologist o psychiatrist.
• Magdasal o magmeditate- Malaking tulong ito para sa pag-unlad ng spiritual na kalusugan, kung maglalaan ng oras para magdasal mag basa ng bibliya, o sa pagsali sa mga spiritual na aktibidad.
What is Postpartum Depression?
What to do when there is a POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION? When a woman is pregnant her hormones change, often unbalanced especially when giving birth. Estrogen and progesterone suddenly drop and thus affect the brain chemical causing the following reactions:
- Quickly get angry
- Quickly irritate
- Feeling self-worthlessness
- Easy to panic
- Anxiety
- Eating less or eating more often than before
- Insomnia
- Depress
- Often crying
- Difficulty in bonding with the child
- Thinking of harming oneself or the child
- Even small things can get frustrated
- Often think of bad things as suicide.
If it is not treated immediately it can take months or years to deteriorate and eventually lead to loss of life or insanity. The following helps to recover:
- Get some sunlight. Get out of the house every morning to shower and walk for just 20 minutes. It helps to calm the mind.
- Make healthy food a priority. It helps to have the proper vitamins and minerals that our body needs especially our brain.
- Avoid sugary foods, drinks and coffee. This may contribute to the depression caused by the unnatural chemicals used.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. This is not only unhealthy, it also has a negative psychological effect, which often leads to getting out of control of saying and doing.
- It is important to know what are the small things that make you feel good or happy that are improving your physical and mental health.
- Take time for yourself at least three hours to do the relaxing.
- Talk to the person you trust.
- Consult a health expert. Don’t be shy to go to a health expert such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Pray or meditate. This is a great help for spiritual health development, whether it is taking time to pray to read the bible, or to participate in spiritual activities.