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Index
Title
Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used In This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Bringing Postpartum Depression into the Light: What It’s All About
Chapter 1: The Big Adjustment: Welcome to Motherhood
The Reality of Motherhood: Let Bootie Camp Begin!
The Reality of Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Debunking Denial: A Glimpse from Yours Truly
When Depression Begins in Pregnancy
A Brief Overview of Treating and Recovering from PPD
Before You Begin, Take Some Hope for the Journey
Chapter 2: These Ain’t No Baby Blues: PPD, Up Close and Personal
Baby Blues: Cute Name for a Crummy Time
When the Misty Blues Turn to Darker Hues
Considering Special Situations Where PPD May Be on the Horizon
Extending beyond Biological Moms: PPD in Dads and Adoptive Moms
Chapter 3: You Mean There’s More? Five Related Postpartum Disorders
Penciling in Some Lines: A Quick Comparison of Mood Disorders
When Fear Strikes: Panic Disorder
Facing the Aftermath: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Breaking the Cycle: Handling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Riding the Emotional See-Saw: Bipolar Disorder
Immediate Attention Needed: Psychosis
Part II : The Three Little Letters: PPD and You
Chapter 4: Looking Within: Is PPD Your Big Bad Wolf?
Facing the Beast Head-On: Tuning In to Your Emotions
Minding Your Mentality: A Look at Self-Talk and Dark Thoughts
Watching for Warning Signs of the Physical Kind
Evaluating Your Postpartum Slump
Chapter 5: A Professional Assessment: What’s Huffing and Puffing at Your Mind’s Door?
The Difficulties of the Diagnosis
Taking a Pre-Assessment: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Receiving a Competent Professional Assessment
Reacting to Your Diagnosis
Chapter 6: Seeking Out a Therapist to Keep Your Proverbial House Standing
Understanding the Role and Importance of a Therapist
Finding the Motivation to Go to Therapy: Demolishing Mental Blockades
Seeking Help When You Suspect You Have PPD
Finding the Right Therapist for You
Choosing a Licensed Therapist
Paying for Therapy: Don’t Shortchange Yourself
Locating a Therapist or Counselor
Assessing the Therapist You’ve Chosen
Part III : Diagnosis Confirmed: Looking at the Treatment Options for PPD
Chapter 7: Venting Your Mind and Heart: Psychological Treatment
Knowing What to Expect From Therapy
Making the Most of Therapy
Ending Therapy and Staying Healthy
Attending Groups
Chapter 8: Counteracting a Chemical Cause: Medical Treatments
Recognizing the Benefits of Medication on Depression
Who You Gonna Call? A Psychiatrist, That’s Who
Addressing Concerns about Taking Prescribed Meds
Specific Types of Medical Treatments for PPD
Understanding the Fact that Finding the Right Med(s) Is a Process
Side Effects: You Can’t Always Get Just What You Want
Knowing When to Begin Med Therapy
Chapter 9: All Things Natural: Alternative Treatments
Introducing the World of Alternative Treatments
Alternative Treatments that Make the Cut for Their Success
Alternative Treatments that May Add a Bit of Benefit
Administering Alternative Treatments: You and a Pro
Searching for Other Alternative Treatments: Be on Guard!
Chapter 10: Creating a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
The Three Components: Finding the Right Balance for You
Conventional Therapy or Alternative? A Quick Comparison
Coordinating the Plan
Adding Professionals to Your Treatment Team
Getting Your Team Members to Huddle
As You Go through Treatment . . .
Ah, the Good Stuff: Dealing with Insurance
Part IV : Traveling the Road to Recovery
Chapter 11: Getting the Most Out of Your Treatment
Recognizing the Stages of Recovery
Keeping the Faith: Ways to Foster Recovery
Chapter 12: Setting the Supermom Cape Aside: Caring For Yourself
Eat and Drink Your Heart Out, Baby! (The Healthy Way, of Course)
Making Sure You Get Some Winks
Shakin’ It for Your Love
Taking Regular Breaks
Staying Social
Creating a Positive Ambience
Giving Yourself Permission to Set Limits
Structuring Your Day
Knowing It’s Okay to Lighten Your Load
Chapter 13: Coping with Your Feelings
Learning to Ride the Waves
Facing Your Feelings Head On
Boosting Your Self-Esteem
Knowing What You Can and Can’t Control
Responding to Others Honestly (But Appropriately!)
Forcing Yourself to Laugh
Chapter 14: Finding Somebod(ies) to Lean On
Emerging from under the Sheets
Diversifying Your Support Team
Explaining Your Depression to Others
Finding a Healthy Balance between Support and Self-Sufficiency
Chapter 15: Helping Your Partner Help You
Understanding Your Partner’s Role in the Battle
Dealing with Your Partner When You Want to Be Left Alone
Communicating Effectively on a Regular Basis
Seeing a Therapist Together: Benefiting from an Extra Set of Brains
Getting Support when Friends and Family Make You Feel Worse
Sharing Responsibilities
Watering Your Relationship and Letting It Grow
Chapter 16: Helping the One You Love: A Chapter for Family, Friends, and Partners
Reacting in a Healthy, Helpful Way
Getting Information if Depression Is Foreign to You
Thickening Your Skin: Not Taking Things Personally
Caring for Yourself . . .
Keeping Kindness in Your Countenance
Putting Your Love into Action
When PPD Escalates: Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide
Practicing Sensitivity: Knowing What’s Okay and Not Okay to Say
Part V : Moving Beyond PPD
Chapter 17: Delight at the End of the Tunnel: Emerging with a New Sense of Self
Looking Back: Build Yourself Up, Buttercup
Taking Back the Reigns
Feeling Like Yourself . . . Or Even Better
Chapter 18: Deciding Whether to Have Another Baby
First Things First: Assessing Your Intentions
Making an Informed Decision, Sans Fear
Planning Ahead if You Decide to Pass Go
Trusting Your Decisions
Part VI : The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten Common Fantasies about Motherhood
This Should Be the Happiest Time in My Life
I Should Be Able to Do Everything Myself
I Shouldn’t Need Breaks
My Life Won’t Change That Much
My Needs Shouldn’t Matter
Bonding Happens Immediately at Birth
Breastfeeding Is Natural, So It Should Come Easily
Mothering Is Instinctual
I Should Feel Satisfied Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
My Baby Will Be My Companion
Chapter 20: Ten Thoughts to Focus on Throughout the Day
PPD Is an Illness, Not a Weakness
Seeking Help is Courageous
I’m a Good Mom
PPD is Temporary — I Will Recover
It’s Important That I Take Care of Myself
I’m Doing the Best I Can
I’m Practicing Love toward Myself
I’m Surrounding Myself with Positives
PPD Isn’t My Fault
I’m Not Alone
Appendix: Resources
Web Sites
Support Numbers
International Organizations
Further Reading
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