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Understanding Postpartum Psychosis A Temporary Madness
Teresa M. Twomey JD with Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D.
ISBN: 0-313-35346-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-35346-8
173 pages
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 3/20/2009
List Price: $39.95 (UK Sterling Price: £27.95)
Availability: In Stock
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 disorder 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 for an estimated one in every 10 new mothers. But a more serious form of disorder that strikes up to one in every 500 is postpartum psychosis - triggering 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, and themselves as a result of this mental illness. Here, author Twomey, an official with Postpartum Support International, gives us 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
About the Author: Teresa M. Twomey, JD is Co-Coordinator for Postpartum Support International in Connecticut. She served earlier as Coordinator for Postpartum Support International in Virginia, and as a Public Reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health. Twomey, who has been a faculty member at Longwood University in Virginia, and a Paralegal Instructor of Master Technical Institute in New Jersey, practiced law and professional mediation before experiencing postpartum psychosis herself. After her recovery, she put her law career on hold to become an advocate for women with postpartum mood disorders.

Shoshana S. Bennett, licensed psychologist, founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987 after her second undiagnosed postpartum illness. Bennett is the Immediate Past President of Postpartum Support International and the past president of California's state organization Postpartum Health Alliance.
LCC Class: 618.7'6-dc22
PDF Catalogs:
Praeger Public Library Spring 2009.pdf
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