Postpartum Depression in Nigeria: Important Things to Know About PPD
You just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. The whole family is rejoicing. Everyone seems to be happy except you. You notice you are experiencing feelings like irritation, anger, anxiety, depression and even finding it difficult to bond with your baby.
Well, it could be that you are suffering from postpartum depression.
This seems like a rare condition but it is actually not. It is a serious condition affecting mothers especially new mothers. In Nigeria, 1 in 5 women have experienced postpartum depression.
What Does Postpartum Depression (PPD) Mean?
Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that affects you after giving birth. It causes you to experience frequent mood swings, anger, tiredness and can even affect you in taking care of your baby. It is also known as postnatal depression.
According to the NHS, 1 in 10 women globally experience postpartum depression every year.
Having a baby can be a very life-changing event which can be affect you both physically and emotionally. Your daily life starts revolving around your child and you may not have time to take care of yourself.
Your body also changes and your hormones fluctuate which can lead to mood swings, tiredness, etc.
How Common is Postpartum Depression?
In Nigeria, it is so common that it affects 20-35% of new mothers and even this number is not totally correct. This is because many women fail to speak up about it and so it goes unreported.
What does Postpartum Depression look like?
Here are a few signs that you may be experiencing postpartum depression:
- Frequent crying.
- Insomnia/difficulty sleeping.
- Loss of appetite / weight loss.
- Feelings of shame, hopelessness and embarrassment.
- Constant fatigue/tiredness.
- Dislike/lack of interest in your baby.
- Having suicidal thoughts.
- Loss of interest in your hobbies/interests.
- Headaches/stomach pains.
What Causes Postpartum/Postnatal Depression?
Some of the factors that can cause you to experience postpartum depression are:
- Family/genetic factors: If your family has a history of postpartum depression i.e if the mothers in your family have experienced postpartum depression in the past, then you may be at risk of experiencing it too.
- Changes to your body: During pregnancy, your body experiences physical changes and hormonal changes. You may also start feeling insecure about your body which can cause you to feel tired, stressed and depressed.
- Fear of the inability to take good care about of your baby: This is very common especially if you are a first time mother. You may feel inadequate or doubt yourself and your ability to take care of your child. This can make you feel anxious and depressed.
Other causes of postpartum depression are marital conflicts, depression before pregnancy, financial lack, premature delivery, etc.
How Long Does Postpartum Depression Lasts?
There is no specific time on how long you can experience postpartum depression. It can last as long as one year or even more than that. What matters is that you seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
How to Overcome Postpartum Depression
- Regular Therapy: To treat postpartum depression, you may need to speak to a therapist. By talking to a therapist, you will get to the root of your depression and find out why you feel the way you do. They will also recommend ways on how you can cope and get better.
Book a session with a postpartum therapist here.
- Medication: There are drugs that would be given by your medical doctor/practitioner for treating postpartum depression such as antidepressants. If you experience signs of postpartum depression, be sure to consult with your doctor.
- Make Lifestyle Changes: This is a way to treat postpartum depression alongside the options mentioned above. Apart from therapy and medications, you should also make some changes in your lifestyle like:
- Regularly exercising and staying active.
- Eating healthy and balanced meals.
- Regular rest and sleep. It might be hard to sleep when you have a baby but you need to make time for it. You can consider having your partner or relative take care of your baby so you can have time to sleep.
- Be ready to ask people for help in taking care of your baby. Don't do it alone.
- Practice your hobbies/interests that makes you feel good and reduce your stress like reading, dancing, spa treatments, etc.
ALSO READ: 10 Self-care Practices to Help You Relax and Unwind
Where Can I Find Postpartum Depression Treatment Near Me
At Mycarebuddy, we offer postpartum depression therapy services both online and offline at affordable prices. You can contact us online at we.care@mycarebuddyhq.com to book a session with us.
We can also provide physical or face-to-face therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A. Is Postpartum Depression the Same as Baby Blues?
No. Postpartum depression is not the same as baby blues.
Baby blues occurs after giving birth and it can cause you to feel stressed, experience frequent mood swings and anxiety, etc. However, this is a temporary condition and it usually ends within 1-2 weeks.
However postpartum depression lasts longer and can be more intense. There is also an increased risk of postpartum psychosis.
B. Is there a difference between Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Psychosis?
Yes, there is a difference between postpartum psychosis and postpartum depression.
Postpartum psychosis is a more severe and rare variation of postpartum depression. If you have postpartum psychosis, you experience more severe symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, paranoia, intense anger and it could go as far as trying to hurt your baby or yourself.
Postpartum psychosis also requires more immediate medical attention as there is an increased risk of you hurting or attempting to hurt your baby.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is a condition that affects most mothers. It is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, book a therapy session for postpartum depression counseling here.
Remember postpartum depression is not your fault neither is it a character flaw. Do not be afraid to speak out and receive help.
Finding Therapists in Lagos: Benefits, Costs & How to Choose the Right One
Choosing to go for therapy is a very important step in taking care of your mental health. It helps you overcome anxiety and depression. It also helps you manage stress especially if you live in Lagos with its fast-paced life.
In this article, you will learn where to find the best therapists in Lagos, the benefits of therapy and the costs of therapy. You will also learn some tips that will help you choose the right therapist.
Where to Find the Best Therapists in Lagos
Finding a therapist for yourself is very important to help you handle the stress that comes with living in Lagos. Here are some places you can find therapists in Lagos:
Therapy Centers and Organizations:
These are mental health centers and organizations that specialize in treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, personality disorders, addiction, etc.
Examples of them are:
a. Mycarebuddy: Mycarebuddy is a mental health organization located at 48, Dele Orisabiyi Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos. We offer therapy services both online and offline to individuals, families, couples, organizations, etc. We also specialize in treating mental health cases like anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, low self-image, substance abuse, etc.
Apart from therapy services, we also sell mental health products to guide people on their mental health journey like affirmation cards, journals, stress balls, etc.
Click here to learn more about our services.
- 360Psyche: This is another mental health organization based in Lagos. 360Psyche offer therapy services to individuals, couples, corporate organizations etc. They also specialize in treating cases like anxiety, depression, relationship issues, anger management, trauma, etc.
Online Platforms and Directories:
These are online platforms that connect you with licensed and certified therapists online. Examples of them are:
- Therapists.ng: This is a local online directory for Nigerian therapists, including those based in Lagos.
- TherapyRoute: This is another therapist directory where you can find licensed therapists in Lagos.
- Therapy Tribe: This online directory features therapists from different areas including Lagos.
Referrals and Recommendations:
Another way you can find therapists in Lagos is through word-of-mouth. You can ask your friends, family, or colleagues who have had positive experiences with therapists in Lagos to recommend someone to you.
Social Media and Online Reviews:
To find a therapist in Lagos, you can also go through social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
Online reviews are also another way to find therapists in Lagos. A simple way to gather online reviews is to search on Google.
Benefits of Therapy for People Living in Lagos
As mentioned earlier, regular therapy can have amazing benefits on your mental health and overall wellness. Some of those benefits are:
- Improved Mental Health: Therapy can help to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma, in your life. It will also guide you on the way to total recovery.
- Personal Growth: In therapy, you get to learn more about yourself, your weakness and strengths. This increases your self-awareness and helps you grow emotionally. You will also learn to accept yourself and be more confident.
- Better Coping Strategies: Through therapy, you will learn how to handle life situations and stressful moments without getting burnout and risking your health.
- Relationship Improvement: one major benefit of therapy is improving couples and family relationships including blended families. In therapy, you can iron out situations and resolve your conflicts.
Costs of Therapy in Lagos
Therapy prices in Lagos can vary depending on your therapist’s experience, the type of therapy you want and the duration of your therapy session.
- Online Therapy: This is usually done online through video platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, etc. Here, you speak to your therapist online without meeting face-to-face.
The price for online therapy in Lagos can be as high as 60,000 and as low as #5000 depending on the therapist you choose and the number of sessions.
- Face-to-Face Therapy: This type of therapy is one where you meet your therapist face-to-face in a physical setting like an office, clinic, etc.
At Mycarebuddy, we offer affordable online and offline therapy services for rates low as #5000.
Click here to your book your next therapy session with us now at AFFORDABLE PRICES.
Final Tips for Choosing the Right Therapist in Lagos
When choosing a therapist, there are certain factors you need to consider like:
- Specialization: Most therapists have their specialization or area of expertise. To get adequate care, you need to look for a therapist who specializes in the area you need help with like anxiety, depression, trauma, etc.
At Mycarebuddy, our team is made up of different therapists with different specializations. This ensures that we can provide you with therapy services in any area you need help with including ADHD, depression and anxiety, stress, low self-image, substance abuse, personality disorder, relationships, couples' conflicts, etc.
- Credentials and Qualifications: Try to confirm that your therapist is licensed and qualified to help you. Don't be afraid to ask for your therapist’s qualifications/license.
- Session Availability, Location and Details: Lagos is a populous state and the traffic can be very hectic. So, while choosing a therapist, it is important that you consider the type of therapy they offer.
You need to ask yourself questions like, “Are sessions available in-person or online?
If it’s in-person, is the location accessible from your home or workplace?
You also need to consider what language you want to receive therapy in. For example, not all therapy organizations in Nigeria offer therapy in indigenous languages like Yoruba, Igbo, pidgin, etc.
Therefore, if you are someone who is more comfortable with the Yoruba language, then you need a therapist who can speak in that language.
Good News: At Mycarebuddy, we offer affordable therapy services in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin.
- Cost and Payment Option: While choosing your therapist, be sure to ask how much they charge per session. This will guide you in choosing the right therapy package that meets your budget.
- Compatibility: This is a very important factor. If you don't feel comfortable with your therapist, you are totally free to look for another one. If you don’t feel a connection with them, don’t be afraid to look for someone else
Conclusion
Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, finding the right therapist is very important.
Understanding the costs, knowing where to find the right therapist, and being mindful of your preferences will help you make the best choice for your mental health. Remember, taking the first step toward therapy is an investment in your well-being.
If you are looking for therapy services in Lagos, feel free to reach out to us here. We offer in-person and online therapy services at affordable prices.
Book a therapy appointment with the best therapy services in Lagos now