Down Came the Rain My Journey Through Postpartum Depression
Down Came the Rain My Journey Through Postpartum Depression
When actress Brooke Shields gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Rowan, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world. But moments later, everything changed. For months after the birth, all Brooke could do was lie in bed and stare at the wall. When she wasn’t sobbing her heart out she felt desperate and isolated, and she dreaded Rowan’s presence. Whenever she looked at her daughter, a numbness swept over her and froze her to the core. All Brooke wanted to do was kill herself. Although she didn’t realise this at the time, Brooke was suffering from postnatal depression, a crippling condition that affects one in ten new mothers. With astonishing honesty and a refreshingly wry sense of humour, Brooke Shields writes about her battle with postnatal depression, and her slow path to recovery. In this brave and warm memoir, she lifts the lid on this taboo subject that is still widely misunderstood, giving hope to the countless women who suffer from this debilitating illness.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great book.
As someone who has been through postpartum depression I have to say that Brooke’s honesty in this book is incredible. Great book. It helped me revisit that horrible time and heal a bit more. Thank you, Brooke!
2 Stars Nice for most, not for the serious cases
My wife has PPD. Big time. Reading about Brooke’s situation was at first a relief. But then she learned about Brooke’s brief time on Pacsil and RELATIVELY short weeks with depression. We do not belittle her experience. PPD is a serious illness. But, Brooke’s experience is minor league compared to my wife’s battle. If your are struggling in a a more significant way, you should instead read “Sleepless Days” by Susan Kushner Resnick. True representation of hard core PPD. Again, I never take anything away from the women suffering from post partum. I’m just trying to give direction to those of you with the harder cases. By the way, my wife is doing sooooo much better!
5 Stars Better Than I Expected
This is a great, informative book that I just finished reading, eight months pregnant. I can agree with the reviewer who suggests it may not be good reading for someone who is in the midst of post partum depression, but in that case perhaps a supportive friend or family member can read it and help the suffering mom get the help she needs. Granted, Brook’s case was extreme, and perhaps (as suggested by another reviewer) was closer to post traumatic stress syndrome when you consider all the things in the few years and weeks that led up to this point in her life; so I don’t think most women need to fear this extreme type of PPD happening to them. But, I think it’s good to know how bad it CAN get and where to get help - there’s a list of resources in the back of the book.
As for the negative reviews blasting Brook for her celebrity, don’t let that determine whether you buy this book. Those are cheap shots, as if celebrities aren’t allowed to be human (I mean, come on, the criticism for her having a nurse clean her off in the hospital, suggesting she’s some diva for not doing it herself - she almost died after her emergency c-section! how inhumanly insensitive can you be?). I did not find the book to be self-glorifying in the least. Quite the opposite, in fact. She was real and put deeply personal stuff in this book for the benefit of women who may suffer the same or similar things, at the risk of getting exactly the type of criticism that some have put forth. Bravo to her.
4 Stars Help for my daughter
I purchased this book for my daughter who has been experiencing post-partum depression after the birth of her first baby. After hearing Brook Shields’ story on Oprah last year, I thought that her book might help my daughter get through this tough time. She did read the book, and except for a few differences between her situation and Brooks’ situation, my daughter found this book to be very helpful and encouraging. She is slowly coming out of the depression. Instead of being in a “funk” for most of the day, she is beginning to feel the “veil” lift a little bit more each day, and has been able to get part of her “normal” life back. I know she will recover fully, and I want to think that this book was one of the reasons for her recovery. Thank you Brook Shields, for sharing your story.
Jeanette
5 Stars An amazing and compelling story…well written…and a must read!
My Mother purchased this book for me after I had my baby and started suffering from post partum blues. I am not a huge fan of reading but thought I would give it a try. I found that I could NOT put this book down. From the very beginning Brook captures you with her story and you feel as if you are living it through her and with her. She goes through her journey of a miscarriage, fertility treatments, pregnancy, having her baby , post partum and the impact it had on her and her family. She gives intimate details and helps you understand that you are not alone.
This book is a must read. I seriously could not put the book down. I had to read it from start to finish in one setting.
One thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the book is the amount of research she did and the various resources she used to help readers understand the seriousness of PPD. She offers thoughtful insight that others are afraid to talk about. It is a serious issue that seems to be swept under the rug. This book will help you feel you can identify with someone and that you do not need to be ashamed of what you are going through.
If you know someone suffering from Post Partum Depression or just have an interest in the subject this is definitely a book you want to pick up. The story will stick with you months after you read it.
Filed under: Mental Health Books