Teenage mom who killed son suffering from bipolar disorder?

CEBU, Philippines - The teenage mother who was arrested for killing her one-year-old baby boy in Carcar City may have been suffering from psychiatric issues or hormonal problems.

Doctor Renato Obra, chief of the center for behavioral sciences at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, told The Freeman that the 18-year-old mother may have been suffering from bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition which causes mood swings and behavioral changes.

The teenage mother reportedly got mad when her brother woke her up to feed her crying baby. Instead of feeding the baby, she allegedly threw her son against the door, causing severe head injury and resulting to his death.

The mother said she tried to hit back at her brother but accidentally threw her son. Obra explained that since the mother is still very young and considering that this is her first child, it is also possible that she is not ready for the responsibilities of a mother.

The child’s uncle earlier accused his sister of being irresponsible because she always leaves the house at night and comes home the next day, leaving her child crying.

Obra said that the mother may have also experienced changes in her hormonal levels due to childbirth.

Doctor Cornelio Banaag Jr., a psychiatrist from Medical City Hospital in Pasig City, said the teenage mother may also be suffering from depression which caused her to throw her son in the midst of anger.

A few months after giving birth, some mothers experience post partum depression. Both psychiatrists explained that if not promptly treated, depression may also lead to suicide which is also one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

To help prevent similar incidents, Banaag and his group came up with a hotline to assist depressed persons. They are also planning to implement a similar project in Cebu which they will call “Hopeline.”

Banaag said “Hopeline” will be the helpline for people suffering from depression but have no one to turn to.

They may call the hotline to express their feelings and have an outlet for their depression.

They are currently training personnel to serve as front-liners of this program.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights-7 is also looking into the case and will be monitoring the progress of the parricide case that authorities are preparing against the teenage mother.

CHR investigator Leo Villarino said that based on their record they have observed a rise in cases of parental abuse. He, however, failed to give the statistics. He said some parents even push their children to prostitution. (FREEMAN)