There is a new book out for women suffering from postpartum mood disorders. Titled "The Mother-to-Mother Postpartum Depression Support Book: Real Stories from Women Who Lived Through It and Recovered", it features stories from real women around the world who have recovered from postpartum mood disorders and share a passion to help other mothers get through it. Author Sandra Poulin recovered from PPD herself and decided to write the kind of book that she herself had wanted to read when she was going through it – but could not find.
As the press release explains, "Until now, virtually all postpartum depression books have been written from a clinical perspective by medical professionals. Here, in a first of its kind collection, are stories of women’s battles with PPD, with intimate details about the symptoms, the struggles, and the strategies that helped them emerge victorious … Mothers share their challenges with sleep deprivation, anxiety, colicky and ill babies, and other issues that sent them into a downward spiral. Offering hope and reassurance, readers will find support from ‘everyday’ mothers who’ve ‘been there’." (Note: In my opinion, I consider chemical brain imbalances to be the source of sending us into a downward spiral, not colicky babies and sleep deprivation as the press release seems to infer. Those things just make the experience worse. Anyway …)
I think the book sounds good — it is so helpful to see what others go through and realize you’re not alone and you don’t have to hide what’s happening to you. I haven’t had the chance to read the book yet, but I can’t imagine it could be anything other than reassuring to those who go through postpartum mood disorders. If you’re interesting in ordering it from Amazon.com, look to the right of your screen, scroll down to the "Read Up" list, and click the link to the book.
