Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression

"Down Came the Rain" had so much potential. As a sufferer of PPD not just once, but with both of my two girls, it saddens me to hear other women say that they hid their PPD because it's "taboo" to say anything negative about motherhood...PPD is considerably more prevalent than most people imagine.Being a mom is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. As a well-educated, senior-level businesswoman, I am here to tell you that PPD can affect anyone: rich or poor, educated or not, young mother or one that's more mature. It's not a reflection on your true desire to be a mother or your ability to be good mom to your kids. It IS an uncontrollable reaction to the onslaught of experiences your body has just undergone to carry a baby for nine months, give birth to it, and recover from that delivery. Like Brooke Shields, I am a big proponent of mind over matter; however, after the birth of my second daughter, the emotional toll was exponentially greater than what I experienced with my first. Even though I knew about PPD, thought I could control the PPD given the knowledge I had about it, it returned much faster & with greater force than I had the first time around. I didn't want it to, kept telling myself and my husband that I knew it was there & didn't want it, but it continued to worsen. In both cases, within 5 weeks of taking Prozac and seeing a therapist, I was back to where I thought I'd never be: feeling like MYSELF AGAIN! I wanted to kiss whatever scientist invented Prozac...it truly was a "miracle drug".This book gets 5 stars for the title, for that's how it feels to have PPD, but 1 star for content. The language was too pretentious (I, for one, appreciated when she digressed into everyday words that most people use...including vulgarities!) and I felt that I was being talked AT instead of being brought "into the club" where I would find support & wouldn't be judged for having the feelings that I did. What I found was that this was more of a chronology of Brooke's own experience and what it was like for her. While I appreciate the publicity Brooke has brought to this horrible affliction, every case of PPD is different, and I would have hoped that the "you are not alone" message would have been more obvious. It's awful to feel like you are the only one that feels this way...I would have appreciated more reinforcement that help is available and that it will get better over time.I hope Brooke (and every other woman who has ever experienced PPD after the birth of a child) has an easier time after her next pregnancy. Kudos to her for getting help...that's the first step on the road to recovery.

This book serves as a reminder that anyone can be blindsided by postpartum depression, famous or not. Hopefully, it will inspire those suffering from postpartum depression to seek appropriate treatment - rather than deny the reality...or worse, be ashamed of their feelings. After all, most people learn to parent "on the job", having to hit the ground running after the baby is born. It isn't always a natural transition, although there has been a cultural and historical misconception that it should be. Shields has written a thoughtful, heartfelt book and deserves credit for having the courage to admit that she didn't have a smooth transition from pregnancy to parenthood. In fact, from what she's written here, she was on the verge of suicide at times..and definitely having suicidal thoughts. The overwhelming depression hit her suddenly and completely without warning. I remember Brooke Shields from the days when she appeared in catalogs as a child model or in magazines in fashion spreads,first as a relatively unknown child models alongside top fashion models -- and then coming into her own. Suddenly, almost overnight (although it had actually taken years of hard work), it seemed she was appearing everywhere, eventually segueing her modeling success (and combination of child/woman looks) into movies and television and even Broadway shows. I admit that I have always wondered how much of a real, down to earth life she EVER had and so I also admit to a bit (only a bit) of skepticism here. Where, I wonder, is the distinction between postpartum depression and the shock of having a baby (which could throw chaos into the most well-organized life)? Perhaps she had a bit of "real life shock" as well. And perhaps I am wrong about this and she was totally in the thrall of a biochemical imbalance. In any case, this makes for a fascinating glimpse into another facet of someone who has long been in the public eye.

Perhaps 3.5 stars. I read it in a situation one afternoon where I was not free to leave and needed to kill a couple of hours. Surprisingly, as a medical professional, I actually learned a thing or two, having known real depression but never having any children myself. No, I don't think Ms Shields is greatly talented and yes, I remember when she was extremely good looking, being just a few years older than she is. Yep, she is rich by mere chance and circumstance, and as such, had perhaps a skewed version of reality, including the realities of childbirth and breast-feeding, which she admits she had idealized. I began advocating and cheering early on in my mind for the hiring of a Nurse, which I knew she could afford, as I was pretty sure that would help. I was genuinely glad when she did, and that professional was a big part of turning the situation around. I think paroxetine probably played a subordinate role, as she felt better so quickly. Anyway, I am glad all is apparently well and I have no problem with Ms Shields' publicizing her experience. Not to be used as a Bible for sufferers, but just to get the word out- it can happen to anyone.

I can honestly say that this is one of the most refreshingly honest and helpful reads I have ever read about post natal depression and the rigours of pregnancy. I always used to think of Ms shields as being a bit flaky and "showbizzy" but after reading this I have the utmost respect for her, what she went through and admire how brutally honest she was in this book.For most celebrities their most pressing concern post childbirth seems to be whether to sell their baby photos to hello! or OK! mag, but this book tells the dark story of acute post natal depression and how Brooke finally coped with her severe and changing moods. Having suffered from mild PND following the birth of my son, I was shocked by how severe and debilitating Brooke's depression was and I found it to be a real help in coping myself. Brooke is very honest about how bad it got (thoughts of suicide, horrible thoughts about the baby being harmed etc..) and how it affected her relationship with her husband Chris and how scared she was that she was going insane.Having read Myleene Klass's book about pregnancy where she complains about trivial things such as feeling too ill to go out for cocktails with elizabeth jagger on a carribean photo shoot(!), this book was a refreshingly honest and helpful read and not once did I feel at all resentful or annoyed by Brooke's complaints (eg- yeah, its easy for you- you're a celebrity and can afford a nanny, personal trainer, etc...) like I did with Myleene's account. Whilst she does take us to the darkest places of her depression, the end of the book is hopeful and Brooke's message is that no matter how bad it gets (and believe me, for her- its bad) there is always hope. PND can be treated if the new mum can be brave enough to admit how she is feeling and talk to her doctor. A brilliant read about going through a very dark place and coming out the other side.

an honest brave account of one womans story of post natal depression I'm so glad I found this bookBrooke is in a powerful position and knew this story needed to be told so she could share her message of hope to othersthis book is very important and is a great resource for people suffering from post natal depression, this book gives hope and paves the way for many a woman who will sadly suffer this condition but will find profound solace in this precious book. its a powerful message of hope and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. To be this honest takes a very brave strong person, well done Brooke Shields.

I could not put this book down, it is so naturally written, moving, amusing, heartbreaking and honest. Brooke should be applauded for speaking out, and for helping other women to face what is happening to them. Sadly in the Uk I think therapy and medication are not as "normal" as they are in the USA, and I wonder what would happen to a British woman in this situation. To know that "someone who has everything" can feel this level of despair, and not just an ordinary person, is also reassuring. Knowing that the book has a happy ending kept me going through the most awful parts, but I felt it was worth reading every page. Especially being pregnant and not sure what to expect next, I hope I do not go through this , but if I do I will read it again and take her advice.

I read this book twice and have recommended it to other new mums. Hollywood stars are portrayed as perfect in the media, living the perfect life, but this author is brave enough to tell the world how it really is and I admire her so much for her bravery and honesty! I did not feel so alone or so broken having read the author's account of her experience. I felt like she was telling my story too.

A story to give you insight to a problem that can happen to anyone.well written too.Excellent.