Hello, Peers!
I love running into the recovery stories of successful Peers. It makes me think, “If he had these problems, and still managed a career of fame and riches, then I have that same potential in me!” Maybe I don’t have the same luck when it comes to my Big Break in Hollywood, but sometimes success means getting out of bed, washing up and holding down a regular job.
One of my favorite famous role models started her modeling career at the age of eleven months, and her career has included advertisements, runway modeling, movies, big Hollywood films, and several television shows... but even she experienced the extreme emotional and mental complications of Postpartum Depression. Since, then, she has been bringing awareness to the condition, and advocating for the health of mothers and their new babies: yes, from Ivory Snow ads to Suddenly Susan and beyond, I’m talking about Brooke Shields.
Shields’ difficulties began with the conception of her first child. She and her husband resorted to in vitro fertilization, which puts mothers at a higher risk for Postpartum Depression. The birthing process was also especially difficult to bear: it happened not long after the suicide of a dear friend and the death of her father. In addition, the labor itself was complicated by the umbilical cord wrapping around the baby’s neck and an emergency Cesarean section.
Shields sank into Postpartum Depression within a few weeks of giving birth. Her worst symptoms included suicidal thoughts, and fantasies of her infant daughter being physically injured. She explained that her fantasies did not include causing her baby harm, but this is also a common symptom of Postpartum Depression. Shields found herself crying more than her newborn daughter, and unable to bond with the infant in the ways that usually come naturally to mothers. At first, her doctor and those closest to her thought she was simply going through the “baby blues.”
After a few months of suffering, Shields’ doctor finally diagnosed her with Postpartum Depression. She learned as much as possible about the condition, began therapy and started a course of medication. The support of her doctor, therapist, friends and family helped Shields through her difficult time, as well as the empowerment that comes with information. Since then, she has worked towards spreading the information as much as possible, so that families at risk of being impacted by Postpartum Depression know how to recognize it and how to get through it.
Shields’ path to recovery was slower than she may like, but we can definitely count her among our successful Peers. After the birth of her second child, she required no medication and managed to bond with her baby without the crippling effects of Postpartum Depression. One resource for more information on Postpartum Depression is WebMD.
Thanks for reading. As always if you have ablog to share, or an idea for one, email cmrlcblog@gmail.com.
Author: Deanna “Berry” Cassidy
Central Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community
I love running into the recovery stories of successful Peers. It makes me think, “If he had these problems, and still managed a career of fame and riches, then I have that same potential in me!” Maybe I don’t have the same luck when it comes to my Big Break in Hollywood, but sometimes success means getting out of bed, washing up and holding down a regular job.
One of my favorite famous role models started her modeling career at the age of eleven months, and her career has included advertisements, runway modeling, movies, big Hollywood films, and several television shows... but even she experienced the extreme emotional and mental complications of Postpartum Depression. Since, then, she has been bringing awareness to the condition, and advocating for the health of mothers and their new babies: yes, from Ivory Snow ads to Suddenly Susan and beyond, I’m talking about Brooke Shields.
Shields’ difficulties began with the conception of her first child. She and her husband resorted to in vitro fertilization, which puts mothers at a higher risk for Postpartum Depression. The birthing process was also especially difficult to bear: it happened not long after the suicide of a dear friend and the death of her father. In addition, the labor itself was complicated by the umbilical cord wrapping around the baby’s neck and an emergency Cesarean section.
Shields sank into Postpartum Depression within a few weeks of giving birth. Her worst symptoms included suicidal thoughts, and fantasies of her infant daughter being physically injured. She explained that her fantasies did not include causing her baby harm, but this is also a common symptom of Postpartum Depression. Shields found herself crying more than her newborn daughter, and unable to bond with the infant in the ways that usually come naturally to mothers. At first, her doctor and those closest to her thought she was simply going through the “baby blues.”
After a few months of suffering, Shields’ doctor finally diagnosed her with Postpartum Depression. She learned as much as possible about the condition, began therapy and started a course of medication. The support of her doctor, therapist, friends and family helped Shields through her difficult time, as well as the empowerment that comes with information. Since then, she has worked towards spreading the information as much as possible, so that families at risk of being impacted by Postpartum Depression know how to recognize it and how to get through it.
Shields’ path to recovery was slower than she may like, but we can definitely count her among our successful Peers. After the birth of her second child, she required no medication and managed to bond with her baby without the crippling effects of Postpartum Depression. One resource for more information on Postpartum Depression is WebMD.
Thanks for reading. As always if you have ablog to share, or an idea for one, email cmrlcblog@gmail.com.
Author: Deanna “Berry” Cassidy
Central Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community
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