DEPRESSION

Depression today is the most common mental illness in Nigeria. About 6 in 10 Nigerians experience mental illness signs or symptoms at some point in their lives. Yet fewer than half of those with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, major depression or panic disorder receive any treatment.

The onset of depression is often due to a significant emotional or physical trauma. This may be an event that is past in your life but the effects are still having a profound effect on you, such as the death of a loved one. It can also be an event that occurs during adolescence or early adulthood, such as a divorce or a break-up, an accident or illness, bullying, physical or sexual abuse by a family member or friend, the loss of a job, foreclosure of a home or business failure.

Depression can stem from a multitude of different reasons and over the past few years, we have heard a great deal about post-partum depression. What often goes unrecognized is that men can also suffer from post-partum depression.

Depression has a history, just like any other illness. After all, you don’t wake up one day and decide to become depressed or do you? The roots of depression can be so deep that they date back to childhood and beyond.

Mental illness and depression can be very complex. The origin of much of the emotional pain we all feel is buried deep in our unconscious mind, where it is stored in the memory of our experiences, emotions and thoughts.

The theory underlying psychotherapy, as developed by Beck and his successors, is based on the idea that attempting to treat depression directly without understanding its biologic roots is like treating obesity by focusing on nutrition. In this model, diet is only one of many factors underlying obesity, and trying to address obesity by focusing on diet alone would fail. Similarly, trying to treat depression by treating only symptoms is like treating obesity by focusing only on diet.

 

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a kind of major depression that happens after having a baby. It can affect anyone who gives birth, not just women. It can happen in men, too. But women are more likely to have it. About 1 in 9 women develops PPD.

 

Postpartum depression happens to women after giving birth. Its a very serious condition. A condition that can be treated, should be treated, and should not be stigmatized.

 

Postpartum depression happens to women after giving birth. So why is there such a stigma around this? In fact, studies have shown that it affects about 1 in 5 women. But there are ways to help, and its easier than you might think.

The first thing you need to know is that youre not alone if you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression. Its far more common than you realize, and there are so many reasons why this could be happening to you. Instead of feeling ashamed and embarrassed, learn more about what is going on with your body and your mind so that you can start to take steps toward healing.

 

Postpartum depression is a severe form of depression that mostly sets in within the first year. It comes on suddenly and affects a womans daily life-the way she sleeps, the way she eats and the way she behaves. Women suffering from this condition may experience changes in their eating habits, weight gain or weight loss, sleeping patterns and inability to bond with the baby.

The mothers may also feel suicidal, experience anxiety attacks and mood swings. Postpartum depression can be life-threatening if not treated in time.

To help new mothers who are suffering from postpartum depression,

 

After childbirth, many women experience a period of emotional adjustment.

The symptoms of this depression are relatively easy to diagnose, but they are also much more common than many people realize, affecting one in ten new mothers.

In contrast to postpartum depression, the terms “Baby Blues” and “Postpartum Depression” have been around for quite a while and are associated with the emergence of the second generation antidepressants (SSRIs), which can cause side effects, such as moodiness, tiredness and sleep disturbances.

True Postpartum Depression is not a condition that simply comes and goes with time, as with the “baby blues”. Rather it is a condition that requires committed treatment. In order to successfully treat Postpartum Depression, it is helpful to understand what exactly it is.

 

 

Postpartum depression is common and treatable with professional help, but most mothers do not receive the support they need.

Since 2019, The Freudian Centre has been creating spaces where women can take control of their health and wellness. Our team of psychiatrists, nurses and therapists work with women to treat every aspect of their postpartum experience, from the emotional to the physical. We do not treat postpartum depression as a condition that needs to be cured.

The Freudian Centre is committed to improving the lives of women in our community. Increasing awareness and reducing stigma is vital to helping mothers receive the treatment they need.

The Freudian Centres approach to mental health addresses the whole personmind, body and spiritso that the person can begin to feel whole again.

Reach out to us today!