Behind the Smile: My Journey out of Postpartum Depression [Paperback]

Marie Osmond (Author), Marcia Wilkie (Author), Judith Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

More than one out of 10 new mothers experience post-partum depression (PPD), yet few women seek help. After Marie Osmond, beloved singer and TV talk show host, gave birth to her seventh child (four of her children are adopted), she became increasingly depressed. One night, she handed over her bank card to her babysitter, got in her car, and drove north-with no intention of returning until she had emerged from her crisis. After she went public with her own experiences with PPD on Oprah and Larry King Live, the response was overwhelming. Now collaborating with a doctor who helped her through her ordeal, Marie Osmond will share the fear and depression she overcame, and reveal how she put it all behind her and is moving on with her life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marie Osmond was the youngest female country artist ever to debut with a number-one record, at the age of 13. At 16, she was also the youngest star to have her own variety show, with her brother Donny. Most recently, she and Donny co-hosted Donny & Marie, a syndicated talk show.

She lives in Los Angeles and Utah.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044667852X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446678520
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Postpartum Depression

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Startling Journey of Recovery, May 1, 2001

By 

Dorothy Weiss (ORLANDO, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression (Hardcover)

Hard to believe that someone so gifted could suffer from depression, post partum or otherwise. Yet that is the story shared by Marie Osmond. The world saw her smile, sing, dance, act and host shows with her talented brothers. She appeared to be on top of the world as she embraced marriage and motherhood. Yet behind the professional smile and demeanor was pain and unhappiness. She writes the book to help other women who suffer similarly and who are unable to articulate their feelings. There is a surprising chapter on the abuse she experienced, and has identified as a causitive factor in her own depression. Writing the book was cathartic for Ms. Osmond. Women and their husbands may likewise gain insight into this illness and how to help each other and their marriage by reading this book. Candid, honest, and revealing.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! What an awesome and helpful book!!!!, May 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression (Hardcover)

I am truly impressed. Marie Osmond was very candid in this book. She revealed many very personal details about her struggle. While writing the book may have been cathartic for her, I think she revealed these details to help other women (more than anything). She is very successful in that effort! We are lucky she took the time in her busy schedule to write this book to help others!!! I am currently facing these issues myself. I found her book enormously helpful, interesting, funny, sad, moving, etc. I could relate to much of what she went through. I am so glad I bought this book. I have already recommended it to a friend of a friend who is also dealing with PPD. Having been diagnosed with manic depression following the birth of my 1st child 6 months ago, I really appreciated this book. Even though Marie was not diagnosed with manic depression, there was mention of it towards the end of the book (in Dr. Moore's section). If you are thinking about buying this book, do it. You won't regret it. I laughed and wept. I loved the coverage of alternative/integrative medicine and the appendix resources! Outstanding! There is even a section called "The Father's Experience of Living with Postpartum Depression" in Dr. Moore's part of the book. Believe me, my husband will read this book next. Couldn't put it down!!! It's awesome.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtitle is "Walk a mile in my shoes", June 1, 2001

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression (Hardcover)

While this is a book basically about PPD the fact is it is a book about mental illness and how we as a society either turn away or face the lion and the fact that mental illness in whatever form is treatable.

My birth mother was institutionalized because of schizophrenia, my husband after being hit by a drunk driver developed PTSD (post traumatic shock disorder) and because of the roller coaster journey I had a brush with DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder.

PPD like these other mental health issues can be dealt with. And unless you have been there, you cannot possibly understand why Ms Osmond doesn't tickle the voyeurs need to know the torrid details about the sexual abuse she notes she encountered. I am thankful she had the maturity to note it and move on to the bigger picture which was PPD, and the help she got.

Thank you Marie for helping everyone, patient as well as family and friends better understand that mental health is something we all need to come out of the dark ages and into the modern world of wholeness and help. You may never fully know what a great gift you have given so many, many people.