I was recommended this book by my therapist and Postpartum Support group after considering if for a long time. I found it insightful, supportive and inspiring as well as taking away the stigma of postpartum issues. I have Postpartum Depression and Postpartum OCD (preoccupation with child's safety-maternal instinct in overdrive). Unlike Brooke, I did not have symptoms closely after birth but triggered by a car accident with my baby when she was 4 months old and "normal" adjustment of marriage and my identity as a new mom although I feel I had underlying symptoms prior. Brooke was very candid with a great slow of writing that allowed an "easy" read although if I was currently in my Postpartum issues without the insight I have now, it would have been more emotionally "hard" to read. Knowlege is everthing...gave it "good" instead of excellent since I would have preferred more details of feelings and thoughts.Read full review
Describes Post Partum Depression WARNING! Depression hurts and those who do suffer depression may not enjoy this because the main content is her struggle downward. The majority of this book is on the downward trending patterns. This is not happy reading. Do not read this if you just had a baby; do not gift this book to a person who you think has post partum depression and you just want them to "see" that depression is treatable. This is definitely NON-pregnancy reading. If you have never been able to explain the magnitude and self loathing of depression, Brooke has done it for you. She spends a lot of time describing the slippery slope of feeling out of sorts and not very excited into feeling your absolute and unexplainable worst. In the audio version she reads the story herself and it really does get across the stymied feelings of those around her who could not understand what was going on. She should be on top of the world. Instead she felt it was on top of her. She documents her way through the maze of depression and page after page you keep saying to yourself "And the Doctor was not on to this???". I think that is part of the point of her writing this, normal healthy people can get very serious depression and the people around them do not know how to react and they do not put depression into the mix. They just work around the equation hoping that this will pass. In her case it was never going to pass on its own. She covers the awful trip back to herself and how as a person she was as perplexed at how to "feel better" as those around her were to have her be better. This is at times a story you want to speed up and skip over more and more of the exhaustive recounting. Again that is the point of the story- depression is an exhaustive journey. We recommend the audio more that the written word because it has Brook telling her own story and you can feel her emotions as she tells her story. We also recommend that you buy this discounted because it is not a body work that you keep in your collection unless this topic is related to your field. For the average reader: this is a read and pass it along to another book or an ah-ha! reading to explain something that you may have already have gone through. RICH CHICKS specializes in independent reviews to help you invest in the right product for your dollar. We have left many reviews all over this site.Read full review
brook wrote the book so well and i could feel what she whent through.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this book because I found myself struggling with post partum depression after the birth of my second child. I had been prescribed medication, but found myself having anxiety about taking it because I was nursing. The day I received the book was the day that everything began to seem a little brighter. I did decide to not take the medication, but reading the book helped. I read the book in three days. It was serious and funny all in one. Reading it was like actually having a conversation with Brooke Shields herself. Very well written. It was nice to know that I wasn't alone. Thank you Brooke Shields for writing such a wonderful book!
I did enjoy this book on Brooke Shield's struggle with post partum depression. It certainly humanized the star, and her struggle was real. As one who has struggled with depression, it was edifying and validating to read about a "star" who had the same challenge, and surmounted with the use of (yes, Tom Cruise) anti-depressant medication. It was particularly impactful to read about her mmodswings, her feelings (or lack of) towards her child, how it affected those around her, and her ultimate recovery. Bravo, Brooke!
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