cherryblossommj
Written on Aug 21, 2010
About a month before my daughter was born I read [b:The Postpartum Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression|6422264|The Postpartum Survival Guide Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression|Paul Meier|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266690445s/6422264.jpg|6611483] and considered myself fairly prepared. With my personal history of depression coming and going I just knew that I was going to suffer from a horrid case of postpartum depression (PPD). Yet then months went by and I was still as happy as could be. It is true there were days here and there where I was in a slump, but nothing lasted more than a day or two before I felt "normal" again. Nothing in comparison to the way I felt in years past.
When I saw this book available from the NavPress Bloggers program I requested it. I was not depressed, nor pregnant, but I figured that it was still an interesting topic that I might one day need and/or find interesting if I ever became depressed later in life related to postpartum or not. It has been sitting on my shelf and I've been meaning to get to it. But lately things are all falling behind. I've been a bit overwhelmed by things I "need" to do. In the last week or so (as my Enginerd reminds me, you've only been saying this for about a week) I have noticed that I'm depressed.. again. There is absolutely no real rhyme or reason that I should be, I just am. I'm irritable and on a short fuse. I have no desire to do anything, much less read and review. No appetite and I have extreme guilt feelings going on. I feel like I should be on the floor playing with AppleBlossom, but I'm just exhausted and want her nap to last just a little bit longer so that I can breathe. Something is just not right.
I saw this book in my pile and figured I should read it. Frankly I do not like what I'm seeing. I might be suffering from PPD. I knew it might happen. But it's been almost 13 months since AppleBlossom was born. I thought I had gotten away with it. Well...
Living Beyond Postpartum Depression by Jerusha Clark is a good book written to both the woman who is suffering, but also to those who are suffering with her. Not often I have a found a book to truly be written to two different groups of people so successfully. Something that is really good about this book is that unlike so many self help books that promise their program or solution is key and the way to healing, Jerusha shares her story as well as others and quotes various books and scriptures that she has come across along her research journey that help. Other books are pointed out and suggestions for various doctors and research programs are highlighted. This truly is a book about finding help and getting better rather than "here's a solution, so do it".
I found that Jerusha's book was written much like a letter. It was personal and real. Something that can be related to and growth can be made from her words. In addition to the fact that the interior of the book is a good resource, the cover is gorgeous. Although that may seem like a little thing, surrounding yourself by beauty when everything seems so glum can really help even the slightest bit. And from experience I tell you, any glimmer of help is something.
I do recommend this book as well as [b:The Postpartum Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression|6422264|The Postpartum Survival Guide Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression|Paul Meier|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266690445s/6422264.jpg|6611483] for any mom who might have an inkling of PPD.
*Thanks to NavPress for providing a copy for review.*