A Mother's Tears: Understanding the Mood Swings that Follow Childbirth

By Arlene Huysman

A Mother's Tears is a specialist's response to what Dr. Arlene Huysman refers to as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" attitude our society has with regard to many health issues that affect women exclusively, including postpartum depression. In a penetrating investigative style, Dr. Huysman secures first hand knowledge through case histories, key interviews, and medical research from top experts in the field, to help women and their families understand once and for all that although childbirth is not always the bliss that the greeting card companies would have you believe, there is much that can be done to help.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888363703
• ISBN13: 9781888363708
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A MUST READ FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES!

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!

I recommend for public and health science libraries.

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.

A must-read for professionals who work with mothers!

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.

Finally, someone is talking! Hopefully not too late for many

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!