A Temporary Madness
With Shoshana Bennett
Foreword by Katherine Wisner, MD, MS
Book Code: C35346
ISBN: 0-313-35346-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-35346-8
DOI: 10.1336/0313353468
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 3/30/2009
List Price: $39.95 (UK Sterling Price: £22.95)
Availability:
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
Description: Offering an understanding of postpartum psychosis, this riveting book explains what happens and why during this temporary and dangerous mental illness that develops for some women rapidly after childbirth. Most of us are familiar with the "baby blues," a passing sadness that strikes 50 to 75 percent of new mothers after delivery. And most of us understand postpartum depression, a sadness post-delivery that lingers for weeks or months in an estimated one in every 10 new mothers. But a more serious form of disorder that strikes up to one in every 500 new mothers is postpartum psychosis - which can trigger severe agitation, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, mania, and possible thoughts of suicide or murder. Every year, women in the United States and around the world kill their babies, children, or themselves as a result of this mental illness. Here, author Twomey, an official with Postpartum Support International, gives us deep insight into the psychological, personal, medical, legal, and historical perspectives on this little-understood mental illness, which is both preventable and treatable. While most women who suffer postpartum psychosis eventually recover without harming anyone, they most often do so in silence. "Paranoia is a common symptom," explains Twomey, and that moves women to hide their symptoms from everyone around them. The woman can hence appear normal, but be putting both herself and her baby at risk. "We can prevent and treat this, but we need to recognize it by better screening of women postpartum," says Twomey.
Table of Contents:
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- List of Abbreviations
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Part I: Overview
- Ch. 1: More than Depression
- Ch. 2: Psychological Views
- Ch. 3: Postpartum Psychosis Across History and in the Media Today
- Ch. 4: Legal Views
- Part II: Stories of Recovery
- Ch. 5: Women Like Me, and You: Teresas Story
- Ch. 6: After the Manic Super Mom Period: Lauras Story
- Ch. 7: Two Episodes of PPP: A Story of Recovery in Five Parts, Evas Story
- Ch. 8: Obsessions and Delusions: Wandas Story
- Ch. 9: Suicidal Thoughts, an Evil Dog, and a Call to Police: Nicoles Story
- Ch. 10: Visions of Mother and Child Cut Up: Lisas Story
- Ch. 11: The Maze of Medication and Recovery: Martis Story
- Ch. 12: Acting Well but Wanting to Die: Sarahs Story
- Ch. 13: Seeing a Dagger, Hearing Voices: Taras Story
- Part III: Tragic Conclusions
- Ch. 14: Suicide: A Murderous Illness, Melanies Story
- Ch. 15: 90 Miles With a Dead Baby: Katherines Story
- Conclusion: What We Know, Dont Know, and Need to Do to Prevent Tragedy
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Appendix A: Resources (for further reading)
- Appendix B: Where to Find Help
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