Customer Reviews

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness

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Having experienced a postpartum psychosis and having lived with bipolar disorder, I'm well aware of the stigma attached to mental illness. Reading the powerful stories of women who experienced similar frightening experiences helped me realize that I was not alone. Teresa Twomey's book has changed my attitude towards living with bipolar disorder. Once I struggled to overcome my fear of bringing my condition into the open. Now I share the reality of my illness with others, allowing myself to become whole and helping others to heal. This book is a must read for any woman who has experienced a psychosis.

"Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness" is probably not a book I would have casually picked up to read. In fact, not being a mother, postpartum illness has not been on my radar screen at all unless there's been a major news story like Andrea Yates or Susan Smith. However, that all changed when I started reading this book in order to prep for a radio interview with Teresa Twomey. I was amazed with the information shared - all of the research Teresa did spurred on by her own personal experience with Postpartum Psychosis. After finishing the book, I kept thinking about the countless women and their families and loved ones who haven't been educated on how to recognize symptoms, who might be at risk, and what help is available. And, not only have women not been educated...the medical and legal professions have not been educated either. After the interview, Teresa emailed me and told me she wrote this book to save lives. I believe it will. Thanks, Teresa for bringing this issue to the forefront.

I am thankful to my friend who connected me with Teresa Twomey and her incredibly needed book. The single most frustrating aspect of my postpartum recovery 15 years ago was lack of information. That was the cause of my suffering longer than needed as well as the cause of our lack of understanding and ability to comfortably talk to others about my condition. This book is a fantastic synopsis of Postpartum Psychosis, as well as addressing other PP conditions, from many perspectives. I wish that every OB/GYN, Pediatric practice and Childbirth educator would invest in this treasure. It is they who `educate' and get to know us. Unfortunately, the stigma society holds toward mental health illness deters the health profession from providing well rounded information to expectant parents. This author is not afraid to educate on the reality of what can happen, yet show there is hope in the process as well.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ms. Twomey for writing this book. I am so grateful for this resource as a mother recovering from a horrific postpartum psychotic episode. This book has been a great starting point for me to find answers and to brainstorm about how to develop a safety plan for myself and my family. I will recommend it to all of my health care providers, friends and family who are interested in learning more about PPP. I appreciate how the text covers many different aspects of PPP such as signs and symptoms, treatment and prevention, historical background, and views of PPP from a legal and media perspective. The stories of other women were heartbreaking, yet extremely encouraging. This book demonstrates that there is hope after PPP and that this is a treatable and perhaps even preventable illness. This text has served as both an informative and therapeutic guide in my personal journey to putting the pieces back together. I would also imagine that those in branches of the healthcare profession who have any interactions with women of childbearing age would greatly benefit from reading this book. My own doctors have been very impressed with it and have found it to be a great source of reference.

This book is well-written and does a wonderful job in helping others to understand many aspects of PPP. I found the book very informative, especially the legal perspective. Having gone through PPP, myself, it was very meaningful to read how PPP affected other mothers. The author should be commended on bringing more awareness and insight into postpartum psychosis, a dreadful disorder surrounding the birth of a baby.

Ms. Twomey writes with authority and compassion about a topic that has long remained in the shadows. This book provides a poignant look at the isolating effects of postpartum psychosis. Too many women suffer, alone, because the illness is not understood by those closest to them - their families and healthcare providers. Understanding Postpartum Psychosis provides a rare, readable view into this devastating illness. Those who care for and about new mothers will greatly benefit from the knowledge and insights provided by this compelling work. I recommend it highly.

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness is a must-read for all of us because the illness can occur without warning in any family, its effects can be devastating, and, more importantly, it is preventable when we know what to look for. The author (my daughter) has provided a very readable account that includes a comprehensive historical account of postpartum psychosis, the medical and legal concerns attached to its complications, as well as heartbreaking first-person stories of women who have suffered with this debilitating condition, including some for whom infanticide was the tragic result. I recommend it highly.

Very well-written, insightful and informative. The author takes a difficult personal experience and uses her own struggle (and the experiences of other women) to help readers understand what postpartum psychosis really is- this is an excellent resource for new mothers, their families and loved ones as well as physicians, nurses and health care workers that care for new and expectant mothers.

After going through PPP three years ago with the birth of my second child, I was terrified. I was in so much fear of what happened to me. I heard of PPD, but wasn't that familiar with the symptoms... Then to be diagnosed with PPP, I was really confused. I have been on medication for the past three years and still see my psychiatrist, but I am doing so, so well. But it took me a long time to actually want to read about others stories. But now I have been getting any book possible on postpartum mood disorders in order to see what others go through. It's such a relief to know that I am not alone and that it does end. Ms. Twomey has really done a wonderful thing by making this book. It allows others to see the truths of these disorders, especially the worst one of all (PPP). I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think it's a must read for so many different people.

Teresa Twomey has provided a story and guide that brings a subject often hidden into the forefront. Helping readers understand postpartum psychosis, and other postpartum disorders, Teresa provides invaluable information to women who are suffering with these conditions. Her book is also a tremendous resource for the husbands and families of these women. Anyone who is a new mother, serves new mothers, and/or knows a new mother should familiarize themselves with this book.