A Journey through Postpartum Psychosis
I had always known that she was possessed from the moment she walked through that door.
She said all these staring at her son and forcing the ‘Holy Oil’ she bought from her Prophet into his mouth. Finish it, she yelled angrily; You won’t kill me before my time.
He kept punching hard into the walls of their bedroom, the words he said were hard to understand as they were rather incomplete sentences. He asked himself this loud question: Who had cast a spell on me? Mark, his friend was also furious at him and wished him dead for his actions.
He had discharged his wife Merylinda against medical advice only to have her dumped at the prayer house where the prophet and his servants constantly brutalized her.
The ordeal with May as he fondly called her began the moment the anaesthetic effect had worn off while in the postnatal ward. The nurses on duty were in support of her establishing a relationship with her newborn; initially, she had denied being pregnant and requested the thing ‘her baby’ be asked to keep quiet.
Perhaps all she needed was more time they thought. However, the baby was soothed back to sleep and her behavior was documented.
Days turned into weeks, with the medical team treating her for some mental issues he felt ashamed to talk about. But his friend Mark had reassured him that healing was on the way for his lover…she became worst as time went on, and the smell of death she openly confessed she perceives daily.
It’s past visiting time ma, please you will be allowed to see her tomorrow; she wasn’t having that as the noise kept escalating. Thankfully, the Matron did intervene. Behind the door, she rained insults continually at her son; you married a witch!!! A witch from Calabar. Give me my grandchild, she began banging on the door.
My son won’t waste any money over that mad witch…. we want them discharged period. The matron had requested the presence of the doctor. Dr. Micah showed up as quickly as he was called upon, amid the tense atmosphere, he managed to organize a chat session with Ken, May’s husband, and his mum. But it became clear that discharge was the only option.
That night was the night…she was locked up with her baby!!!
Despite’s Mark’s plea, after all, he isn’t family.
When did I become pregnant?
How did I birth this thing?
What becomes of my career?
That moment was the last she heard her baby’s cry….
Break that door, break the windows…. neighbors gathered to help.
In a pool of blood, she was, as she had smashed the baby’s head to the wall…
She was dragged out and taken to a ‘Powerful Prayer House’
They had her striped and forced white clothing tied around her chest…
Like a lamb to be slaughtered; she uttered no words.
With them taking turns whipping the evil spirit off…
Incisions were made with blades while incantations were carried out.
She took her last breath…. off she went.
You need to take her remains…. she died with the evil spirit, the Prophet said.
What will you tell the world? What will you tell her family Mark asked…
IT WAS JUST POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
NOT A DEATH SENTENCE…. KEN
What is Postpartum Psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a reversible but serious mental health illness affecting around 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth. While it is rare, still, postpartum psychosis is a dangerous illness. It is important to note that mothers may experience mild mood changes soon after giving birth a condition known as baby blues, this is a normal experience and it often lasts only for a few days. On the other hand, postpartum psychosis is different from baby blues as it is a severe mental health illness that should be regarded as a medical emergency.
Symptoms of Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis can present itself in different ways. Symptoms can change very quickly, but the two primary symptoms of this condition are hallucinations and delusions. Other common symptoms associated with postpartum psychosis are:
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Thoughts of self-harm, harming their baby or others
- Feeling fearful or suspicious
Causes of Postpartum Psychosis
According to ClevelandClinic, postpartum psychosis can happen to anyone who gives birth, but the chances of it are higher for people with certain mental health conditions. While the exact cause of postpartum psychosis is not known, however, experts suspect a combination of factors to be responsible for it. Some of the factors include:
- Number of pregnancies
- Family history of mental health conditions, and postpartum psychosis
- Hormonal changes
- Sleep deprivation.
Treatment of Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a treatable illness with a few workable therapies. However, due to how rare the condition is, there is limited research on how to treat it. Although some approaches are widely used, still, more research is needed to fully understand the best method for treating this condition.
Being that postpartum psychosis is a mental health emergency, affected people need to be attended to constantly and by trained medical professionals to ensure that they are safe and comfortable. Because patients with this condition experience a disruption in their sense of reality and they are mostly not aware of their condition, they cannot choose to receive care. Hence, family members, or loved ones must decide to have them hospitalized.
In the story, Merylinda experienced this condition after having her newborn, but due to ignorance, she couldn't get enough support from her loved ones and subsequently the right treatment. In some regions, postpartum psychosis is largely considered an abnormality lacking medical interventions. Hence, affected people may be deprived of medical treatment and isolated from the public.
Conclusion
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but treatable illness. While the exact cause is unknown, the condition can affect people who give birth, particularly people with a history of certain mental health conditions. Instead of isolation, affected people should be provided with all the support they need such as giving them In-patient medical care for proper treatment, and should be attended to by mental health professionals.
Story by: Ejeh Agbi R.M.
* postpartum psychosis by: Damilola Elewa*
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