The Postpartum Effect: Deadly Depression in Mothers

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Summary: A must-read for professionals who work with mothers!
Review: A Mother's Tears is a must-read for all professionals (healthcare, legal, social services, etc.) who work with pregnant and postpartum women. Dr. Huysman has written a compelling and eye-opening book that is a milestone in further bringing to light the subject of women's emotional health related to pregnancy and the impact on our society/the family stucture when not properly addressed. After reading A Mother's Tears you will be compelled to prevent tragedies and provide the best services possible in theeducation/understanding, prevention, proper diagnosis and treatment of postpartum mood disorders. It is critical that you add this book to your personal library to best serve pregnant women and mothers.

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Summary: Professional Read vs. Mother's Book
Review: As a professional clinician, I found this book to be clearly very informative on the signs and symptoms of PPD/PPPD. As a mother potentially suffering from PPD, I found this reading quite disturbing as far as the potential extent that PPD can be manifested in some individuals. The author seems to reach conclusions about mothers who have killed their children and covered up the murders that becomes scary. If these seemingly sane mothers could kill their babies because of a disease that is so common, then why aren't stronger measures being taken to make sure that mothers in this country are more supported by families and the medical profession. The author makes this point quite clear and as a professional this book will change some of my clinical assumptions about new mothers. However, as a new mother, I would consider this a loud wake-up call. I would recommend this book highly to professionals who deal with pregnant and/or postpartum women and their spouses, especially those who might be in a position to suggest treatment plans or refer anyone exhibiting symptoms. As a PPD mother, I wish my OB/GYN or pediatrician had have read A Mother's Tears, but I was not prepared to consider suicide or murder as symptoms of PPPD. The suggested books and videos and organizations are worth the price of the book for a referral source.

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Summary: A MUST READ FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES!
Review: I wish I would have read this book DURING my pregnancy! To understand the NATURAL hormone and emotional changes that occured after delivery of my child could have saved me so much heart ache! Dr. Huysman describes her own experience with Postpartum Depression, who is at risk, the warning signs, true stories of loving mothers who have suffered this illness plus treatment options. READ THIS BEFORE YOU HAVE YOUR BABY!

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Summary: Finally, someone is talking! Hopefully not too late for many
Review: Post partum depression hit our family hard. No one knew how to deal with the issue. Finally, when we had more of an idea what might be going on, our beloved cousin shot and killed herself. This never needed to happen if she, the people around her and her Doctors had read this book...Compelling vital info for the world!

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Summary: I recommend for public and health science libraries.
Review: Postpartum depression (PPD)is a common illness, yet it is often overlooked and undertreated. This book is a challenge to physicians to consider PPD a significant disorder and an alert to new mothers and their families to recognize and seek professional help for PPD when it occurs. Huysman, a clinical psychologist specializing in mood disorders, provides a basic look at PPD:its causes, risk factors, symptoms, and therapeutic interventions. She extends the current thinking to suggest the existence of Progressive Postpartum Depression(PPPD), which affects mothers months or even years after childbirth and can be debilitating and dangerous. The book offers case histories of women who have overcome PPD and PPPD and of others who tragically harmed their children or themselves because their illness was never diagnosed. An important chapter by a clinical social worker with specific suggestions for getting help is also included; recommended for public and health sciences libraries.Linda M.G. Katz, Allegheny Univ. of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia.

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Summary: Denouncing the tendency to criminalize affected mothers
Review: The Postpartum Effect: Deadly Depression In Mothers by Arlene Huysman (a practicing clinical psychologist specializing in mood disorders) cites and explains a specifically defined clinical depression experienced by some mothers who are so stricken with this devastating condition that they were tempted to harm themselves or their children. Huysman also cites and explains common misconceptions about what can be a quite severe illness arising from the aftermath of giving birth. Denouncing society's tendency to criminalize affected mothers, The Postpartum Effect is a profound and welcome contribution to Parenting Studies, Health and Medicine Studies, and Psychology Studies dealing with Postpartum Depression.

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Summary: A good book if that is what you are looking for
Review: This book is excellently written, authoritative and easily read, and will appeal both to the practitioner as well as expectant mothers and their families. The footnotes and bibliography are well done. If you are unaware of the extent of PPD, then it will open your eyes. It explains exactly what it is all about. Any technical jargon is footnoted at the bottom of the page with clear definitions. What bothered me is that it goes on and on with saddening case stories of infanticide, some of which seem only questionally related to a PPD background. After the first 100 pages, I felt that I was reading a compendium of child killings, rather than how a mother and her family should handle her depression. An important topic as it is, especially for practioners and husbands to know that they should look after the new mother with devotion and TLC, it goes a little too far with all the bizarre tales. Although it includes a list of resources to turn to, the book as a whole is more of an eye opener than a guide. Also, for a 190 page book, it's a little pricy.

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Summary: If you're looking for help, look elsewhere
Review: This is a great informational book. I'd highly recommend it to OB/GYNs and health care providers. It is not a self-help supplement to therapy or treatment.