Hello there, I had nothing at the time in 1988. After the episode I found this book to be so helpful especially Nancy's tale which is a very detailed account of Puerperal Psychosis. Depression after Childbirth by Katherina Dalton from Oxford Paperbacks. Regards, Helen
I have just got my book,Dangerous Motherhood,by Hilary Marland
I will let you know what it is like
Best Wishes Poulson
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness by Teresa Twomey gets good reviews on Amazon. I'm going to visit my library tomorrow to see if they can get hold of a copy for me. If they can I'll let you know what I think.
I know I am going to like this thread!! I love reading and am always looking for more to read on PP.
I too have read Twomey's book "Understanding Postpartum Psychosis", which I agree is an excellent resource [my library bought a copy!]. From what I remember there are large sections in the first half of the book with a large emphasis on infanticide. But given that it is an American book and they don't have an infanticide act like we do in the UK, I can well understand her passion to advocate for those rare cases. Her explanations of the illness are really helpful, but what I liked the most were the first-hand accounts of women's experiences. Several of the stories resonated with my own PP.
I've also read Hillbilly Gothic, which I found fascinating, but not what I was expecting as it didn't seem that she herself experienced psychosis even though she definitely had a postpartum mood disorder. There were links to PP in her own mother and, I think, other members of her family.
I've also read "Surviving Post-Natal Depression: At Home, No one hears You Scream". I found this was easy to read, with sections about all different types of postnatal illness.
Grace's book, "Saving Grace", is a very open and honest personal account of PP.
Last year I read a fictional book by Helen Walsh called "Go to sleep", which is about a mother who is experiencing sleep deprivation and most certainly in my opinion a form of postnatal illness. I think the extremes of the story will touch people who have gone through the trauma of PP, even though it is not a book about PP.
I'm away to look up some of the other books recommended here - thanks everyone! Great thread.
Poulson, I'd be interested how you're finding the Psychology degree with the OU. It's something I've been considering doing in the future.
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