Non-Pharmacologic Treatments for Depression in New Mothers: Evidence-based Support of Omega-3s, Bright Light Therapy, Exercise, Social Support, ... St. John's Wort (Clinics in Human Lactation) [Paperback]

Kathleen Kendall-tackett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0981525709 | ISBN-13: 978-0981525709 | Edition: 1

Pregnant and postpartum women are at increased risk for depression, and the health effects of depression for both mother and baby are too serious to ignore. As important as it is, however, to promptly treat depression, some are voicing concern over whether the risks of antidepressant medications outweigh the benefits. Fortunately, there are more treatment choices than ever before. In this monograph, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett describes the various non-drug treatment modalities being used to treat even major depression. In most cases, the non-drug treatments are as effective as medications with far fewer side effects. Dr. Kendall-Tackett summarizes current research and provides an evidence base for each treatment modality and how it impacts breastfeeding. Drawing on research from the field of psychoneuroimmunology, she describes why these treatments alleviate depression, and the specific clinical applications for each approach. These modalities are breastfeeding-friendly and offer mothers viable treatment alternatives that preserve the breastfeeding relationship.

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Hale Pub.; 1 edition (June 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981525709
• ISBN-13: 978-0981525709
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Postpartum Depression

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-Pharmacologic Treatments for Depression in New Mothers, June 18, 2008

By 

Sarah R. Fields (right outside Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Non-Pharmacologic Treatments for Depression in New Mothers: Evidence-based Support of Omega-3s, Bright Light Therapy, Exercise, Social Support, ... St. John's Wort (Clinics in Human Lactation) (Paperback)

When PPD and postpartum psychosis made me delusional and unable to care for myself and my children, psychiatric drugs (an antipsychotic and a muscle relaxer) got me some sleep, but it was the subsequent months I spent researching and trying the natural treatments suggested by Dr. Kendall-Tackett that brought me complete healing.

Now I feel better than I'd felt in years. I learned how to care for my body, brain, and whole self (mind/body/spirit). I learned about the important role of social support, about supplements, and about the womanly art of setting healthy limits by saying "no" to too many undesirable volunteer commitments. Research has come a long way in helping women find treatments that prevent, reduce the severity of symptoms, and heal from potentially-devastating perinatal mood disorders.

This book is a must-read for pregnant and nursing mothers and those who care for them. As a postpartum support group facilitator and as a survivor of severe PPD, I highly recommend reading _NonPharmacologic Treatments for Depression in New Mothers_, along with Kendall-Tackett's other publications. During my pregnancy, Kendall-Tackett's resources formed the basis for writing my husband and I to write our own comprehensive postpartum care plan, which we shared with healthcare providers, the psychiatrist, midwife, doulas, and family. That planning made for an easier postpartum, with fewer symptoms and quicker healing, than either of the previous two.

PPD is too common and too severe to ignore. Babies, children, marriages, and women's health are at stake. Natural prevention and treatment goes a long way, and we have Kathleen Kendall-Tackett to thank for bringing the science to a layperson's level, while citing all the studies that the professionals need to access.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a much needed book for today's pregnant and postpartum women, July 30, 2008

By 

Review Girl "Review Girl" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Non-Pharmacologic Treatments for Depression in New Mothers: Evidence-based Support of Omega-3s, Bright Light Therapy, Exercise, Social Support, ... St. John's Wort (Clinics in Human Lactation) (Paperback)

If only more women and their doctors would know all this information. This is evidenced based information about how you can treat postpartum depression (and almost any other depression) without drugs. If you do choose to take drugs, you can do some natural things with it.

I am currently pregnant and doing the light therapy and high dose fish oil to help prevent postpartum depression.