Book Recommendation: Beyond the Blues

We’ve all seen them. Photos of happy, calm, completely “put together” Moms. Just like with the majority of media campaigns, this is so far from reality. These “happy Moms” campaigns are what make some real mom’s feel isolated and ashamed. Are you having a hard time connecting with your baby? Are there times you have thoughts of regretting becoming a mother? Are you convinced you will do something drastic to harm your baby? Are you convinced you are a bad mother? You are not alone. Again for those in the back, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are much more common than Pinterest and other media would have you believe.

If you find yourself relating to the examples above, you may find it really beneficial to read “Beyond the blues: Understanding and treating prenatal and postpartum depression & anxiety” by Shoshana S. Bennett, PhD and Pec Indman, PA, EdD, MFT, PMH-C. This book goes over real, relatable postpartum life.

One reviewer writes, "In Beyond the Blues, Bennett and Indman offer a compact yet surprisingly comprehensive manual on prenatal and postpartum depression. Readable and practical, they systematically address screening and assessment, finding a therapist, myths about nursing and bonding, and treatment. Interesting and helpful are suggestions for family and friends. For health professionals, there is detailed diagnostic and treatment information. Beyond the Blues is a quick read with an easy-to-handle format. Recommended for consumer health and health sciences collections."

--Library Journal

Bennett and Indman help the reader to understand that PMADs are normal and common. Roughly 20% of the 3.5 million women who will give birth, about 700,000 will develop postpartum depression each year. This number is staggering, and yet if you see anything pregnant/new mom/birth, it is always sunshine and beautiful. Nobody ever talks about the depression, the lack of maternal connection, the intrusive thoughts. This compounds on an already vulnerable woman by making her think she is the only one not feeling the rainbows and sunshine of motherhood.

Because of this inconsistency, I find “Beyond the Blues” to be invaluable. Read about the reality of new motherhood as some women experience it. Read about ways that you can help yourself, or ways that professionals can help you.

This book was a foundational tool for me breaking into working with women (and men!) with PMADs. I cannot recommend it enough, to both professionals and clients.

Thanks for reading,

Elise