(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) In the serene backdrop of the small village Sangota in Swat, Pakistan, unfolds the story of Yusra Bibi, revealing the harsh reality of postpartum depression entwined with the consequences of child marriage. Yusra was only 15 when she married, and within two months, she was pregnant, thrust into the daunting role of motherhood at a tender age.
Throughout her pregnancy, Yusra's behavior grew increasingly worrisome. She began conversing with mirrors, convinced of unseen children on the floor whom she feared she might harm. Desperate for help, her husband turned to a local spiritual healer, a common practice in their community. However, instead of finding relief, Yusra endured additional anguish as the healer subjected her to painful rituals, such as burning her fingers, all in the name of banishing evil spirits.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Yusra's husband shared,“I blame myself for taking her to the spiritual healer and relying on outdated methods to address her complex mental health issues. I was unaware of this disorder.”
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Yusra's pleas for help fell on deaf ears in her marital home. Her mother-in-law, bound by tradition, opposed seeking medical assistance, contributing to the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Eventually, Yusra's symptoms became unbearable, prompting her husband to take her to a nearby hospital. From there, she was referred to a psychiatric hospital in Peshawar, underscoring the urgent need for professional intervention in addressing her deteriorating mental health.
However, Yusra's challenges persisted even after her hospitalization. Following her premature delivery, she struggled to bond with her newborn daughter, perceiving her as a threat to the family. Consequently, her mother-in-law intervened and took the baby away, exacerbating Yusra's distress.
Dr. Fatima, the psychiatrist overseeing Yusra's care, diagnosed her with postpartum depression, a condition often exacerbated by factors like early marriage and limited awareness of mental health. While it's common for new mothers to experience the“baby blues” after childbirth, around 1 in 10 women develop more severe and prolonged depression. Additionally, about 1 in 1,000 women may experience postpartum psychosis, a more severe condition. Postpartum depression (PPD) encompasses a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that some women undergo after giving birth. Yusra's experience underscores the urgent need for improved education and support systems to address the mental health struggles faced by women in similar situations.
Speaking to The Tribal News Network (TNN), Yusra's husband emphasized that his wife is not a monster but a victim of circumstances beyond her control. He stressed the imperative of addressing harmful practices in treating mental health and breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues.
Yusra Bibi's story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges encountered by young brides and new mothers in communities bound by tradition. It underscores the importance of providing education and support to women like Yusra, empowering them to break free from the constraints of societal expectations and advocate against mental health stigma.
Dr. Fatima highlights that most cases of postpartum depression she encounters originate from tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a strong stigma persists regarding mental health. In these communities, many mistakenly attribute mental health struggles to supernatural beliefs or traditional views on women's behavior. It's imperative to launch comprehensive community-based initiatives aimed at educating men, who often hold the final decision-making authority regarding women's medical assistance. Equally crucial are targeted programs to engage older women, who frequently play a pivotal role in the lives of their daughters-in-law.
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