The Smiling Mask
Truths About Postpartum Depression and Parenthood
Truths About Postpartum Depression and Parenthood
Books/Authors
The Smiling Mask A Look At Postpartum Depression
True Stories About Carla O'Reilly, Elita Paterson, and Tania Bird
Article and Interview with The Smiling Mask Team by Janine Slayton
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a very common, but frequently misunderstood or misdiagnosed condition. Countless women have been affected by PPD over the years, and while there is much that is still unknown about the condition, the medical profession's understanding of what PPD is and how it should be dealt with has come a long way over the years. Take the following excerpt from Charlotte Perkins Gilman's famous short story "The Yellow Wall-Paper" as an example:
"John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies
him...
I meant to be such a help to John, such a real rest and comfort, and here I am a comparative burden already!
Nobody would believe what an effort it is to do what little I am able,--to dress and entertain, and order things.
It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby!
And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous." -
In the story, the narrator's husband, John, is a
doctor. He does not acknowledge that his wife's condition has anything to do with her
recently giving birth. It is simply a nervous condition, which she needs to control on her
own. As the narrator states, her husband does not believe she has any reason to suffer,
and so there must be something wrong with her if she is suffering. There is absolutely no
sense of understanding. While there are still many difficulties in understanding Postpartum difficulties in the present day, we have come a long way since 1892. PPD is no longer viewed as a "slight hysterical tendency" but rather an actual medical condition that afflicts anywhere from between 6% to 22% of women [1] . Doctors have come a long way when it comes to diagnosing and treating PPD.
Many women experience the "baby blues" following the birth of a child. According to Dr. Marlene Harper, the "'baby blues' are most likely caused by hormonal changes following birth," and typically go away within a week or so without any treatment. A significant number of women, however, experience a much more significant form of depression following childbirth.
There are three major types of postpartum conditions that are much more significant than a simple case of the "baby blues" and require treatment. They are Postpartum Depression (PPD), Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Postpartum Psychosis [2]. Women with Postpartum Depression suffer despondency, tearfulness, and feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, anger, irritability, and fatigue. Physical symptoms include headache, numbness, chest pain and hyperventilation. Up to one in four women are affected by PPD, and when left untreated, the effects can often lead to neglect of the child, suicide, or infanticide. Mother's suffering from Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder worry excessively about their baby, and frequently have obsessions with germs, or intrusive thoughts of harming the baby, though they rarely follow through on the impulse. They may have low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. Postpartum Psychosis is an even more serious condition, characterized by a "loss of contact with reality."(Harper, Marlene)[3] Women suffering from Postpartum Psychosis may include delusions or hallucinations. This condition can obviously be extremely harmful to both the mother and the child if it is not treated.
The many misunderstandings about PPD cause many women suffering from PPD to try and keep what is happening to them a secret. Many women with PPD know that the way they are thinking and feeling is not normal, but do not tell anyone what they are experiencing, out of fear that others will believe they are bad mothers and that someone may take their child away from them. As a result, many women with PPD try to suffer in silence, only making the situation more difficult for themselves.
Recently, three Canadian women came together and decided to address the topic of PPD, using their own personal experiences in an effort to make others more aware of PPD. Carla O'Reilly, Elita Paterson, and Tania Bird are three women who suffered through PPD. Their experiences made them realize how closeted PPD still is and how important raising awareness of it is for other women, and even men. After Carla and Tania met through a Postpartum Depression Support group, and then later met with Elita, the three women realized that they wanted to take their experiences and use them to help other families. After all, PPD had managed to spin all three of their lives out of control for a while. Anything they could to do help ease the pain of other women going through the same thing, they felt they should do. With that, The Smiling Mask Team was born. In their book, each of the three women tells of her individual struggle with Postpartum Depression. Carla and Tania both suffered from the more serious forms, Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis, while Elita suffered from Postpartum Depression.
The Smiling Mask really opens up the reader's eyes to PPD. While each woman talks about what could have triggered their PPD, underlying reality is it is a condition that can strike any mother. Reading about Carla, Elita, and Tania's struggles shows how difficult it was for them, but also how they managed to heal and enrich their lives!
The Fabulous Woman was lucky enough to interview Carla, Elita, and Tania about their book and their experiences with Postpartum Mood Disorders depression. Their honest, open answers help give even further insight into what they each experienced as well as show how far they have come.
TFW's Interview with The Smiling Mask TeamTFW: What was the most difficult thing about dealing with Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
Carla: The difficulty in my experience was that my husband and I were blindsided with the psychosis; we had no knowledge on how to deal with the symptoms. The obsessive thoughts were scary, and without a second thought I was put on medication that only numbed the surface without dealing with the trauma that I had experienced while I was pregnant. I believe if someone would have sat me down immediately and surrounded me with positive therapy my road wouldn't have digressed into a four year battle. If someone had forced me to reflect back on the loss of my friend's baby and how I had coped with that, as well as learning forgiveness of myself, and the understanding of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, things might have been different. I needed to learn that a thought was just a thought and I had the power to control my response to them. It was also important to be surrounded by family, not just expecting that I would be fine. No one really understood the seriousness. Women need to be supported, not left alone in a downward spiral. They don't have the coping skills when stress and sleep deprivation take over. I cannot stress enough about education and that we must destroy the dirty little secret of PPD.
Elita: My self-esteem became so battered and bruised that hope felt more like a mystery than anything else.
Tania: The most difficult thing with dealing with PPD was the feeling of failure - as a new mother and a wife. This was not how I envisioned motherhood. I felt so totally incompetent. At work, I was successful. In life, I was successful. And at mothering, I was a failure.
TFW: Can you briefly describe what PPD was like for you?
Carla: For me, I appeared happy, perfect, my baby never cried. But especially when I was alone I was bombarded by terrifying thoughts. My house was my hell. I lived in constant fear that I would harm my son. I lived in secret, and that was the worst symptom because I couldn't ask my friends for help. I was a freak and I lost all self-power. I was drowning in despair because I was exhausted and starving from the meds and my weight skyrocketed. I didn't know how to make the thoughts stop and they crept up on me like a constant bad dream.
Elita: I felt like a "Momster." I tried desperately to hold on to what felt like pride and security. I was constantly exhausted because I was relentlessly living in stress, pain and anger - I felt I was not understood; I felt alone. Yet...I was surrounded by family and friends. Now, that's depressing! The fits of rage I went through were horrifying. I was so close to really hurting my daughter, Ella. It wasn't until I let go of constantly thinking from a place of fear and scarcity that I did myself the largest favor ever and accepted I was struggling and needed help. I realized that this act was not a sign of weakness but rather the first step toward being responsible for my health!
Tania: I suffered with Postpartum Psychosis and then that was followed by Postpartum Depression. The depression was really a low point in my life. I had no energy, no interest, no zest for life. I could not get out of bed. Taking meat out of the freezer was too much effort for me and I just wanted to escape.
TFW: In what ways do you hope the book will help both prospective mothers and other mothers who have been diagnosed with PPD?
Carla: Using our book and our truths, I hope mothers will read and see that if they ask for help soon, recognize the symptoms and do not let them consume their life they will heal quicker. Husbands will recognize what is happening, as well as grandparents, and the mothers will get the support they need and know that this is just a normal symptom of parenthood. Just as we educate ourselves to look after the child, we must begin to educate on how to look after the mother and surround her with support and love - Mothers who suffer past, present and future need to forgive themselves and take hold of their power and strengths.
Elita: My hope is that our book provides hope! We do not have to label ourselves with PPD. In fact, we can be better than what we were before! We tell in three different ways what it took to no longer feel alone and isolated. It was our hope that each of our unique stories would resonate with many more people than just if we were to tell one. The book is meant to empower by giving women the freedom to ask for help and to also show their husbands how they can stand right by their side and support them in many different ways. It's vital we share with our husbands and/or partners and supports what our help "looks like." We need to be assertive - not just wishing people could read our minds. Our husbands, in return, need to share this same information because they do indeed go through their own depression on this journey. They need support just as much as the mother who is suffering.
This message is especially for prospective mothers...EDUCATE YOURSELF; EMPOWER YOURSELF because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! The act of educating is honoring yourself, your husband and your child.
Tania: My hope is that this book will enlighten and validate mothers, new and old. Many of the feelings we discuss in the book may have suppressed. When these old feelings come back, I would like the mothers to deal with them by forgiving themselves-not comparing themselves to others-and loving themselves unconditionally. This is an illness. You are not a monster or weird. You are just experiencing motherhood in a different light.
TFW: I think it is really wonderful that the three of you were strong enough to relive your stories in The Smiling Mask to help other mothers who might be struggling with depression. Do you ever wonder about what your children will think of your book when they get older and read about the struggles you faced?
Carla: I view my choice to share my truth as a powerful tool to teach my son that my struggle was not in vain. I overcame tremendous barriers, and I forgave myself in order to become a positive role model for him. Our dreams can become reality, and our goal to heal will impact women and children all over the world. I have instilled in him the belief that by healing others we heal ourselves and there is no shame in that. My son will know that I chose to find my spirit and be the best I could be and when I faced my fears, they no longer controlled me! I am ending the cycle of negative patterns in my family and no longer being a victim!
Elita: I never worried about what Ella would think, because this book came from a good place; an honest place; a place where we shared our most intimate life details so that other parents could relate and find the same strength to heal themselves, too. I feel Ella will be very proud that her mom and dad stood up and spoke up. I think it's pretty fabulous that we expose Ella to such integrity.
Tania: I hope that Katherine reads the book one day, so that she can have a sense of sympathy of what I went through and appreciate that given all things, it was not so bad. I want her to understand that the love I felt for her grew as I overcame my illness. I also want her to know that I had resentment, frustration and anger and that I forgave myself.
TFW: Now that your children are a little older, have you considered
having anymore children? Why or why not?Carla: This choice was not without thought, but my son needs a healthy mother. I have experienced motherhood from start to finish, good and bad, and he fulfills my needs. The reoccurrence of PPD is much too high to chance and I am going to embrace my role as an auntie which will be quite healing on a different level. I am free of the illness and am going to support my sisters as they enter motherhood! I know what help looks like and I am excited to offer support to them as they enter the exciting journey!
Elita: The first two and half years as a parent were a struggle. Now that life has lightened up even more for my family and we are enjoying ourselves like we've always wanted, we feel we owe it to ourselves to truly revel in these moments and to live many more of them. The best gift I can give to my daughter is to continue healing myself. Her disposition improves each time I heal something within myself. Ella is my "beautiful barometer!"
Tania: I love this question. Yes, I would gladly have another child but my blood pressure is still not quite right (still high). I am grateful for the wonderful healthy little girl that I do have because when I reflect on the NICU experience, I realize things could have turned out much differently than they did. I would be okay with only one child but I recognize that I will have to go through the cycle of anger at the unfairness of the situation, grief and acceptance.
TFW: As difficult as struggling with Postpartum illness was, was there anything good that came out of the struggles you faced?
Carla: Yes, I don't believe in mistakes. This was a journey, and I have connected with three amazing women who are on a mission to heal. I know I have a strong character, empathy, and I know how to experience joy and to conquer any adversity that may come. My new strength is tenfold because I have forgiven myself and healed and I am seeing this in others. As I connect, the power in healing is great. I am learning many lessons and this is my journey!
Elita: TOTALLY! Our project, for one!! Working with two amazing women who have the same goal in mind to inspire healing, hope and harmony for families needlessly suffering has been a stellar experience to date! Look at this interview opportunity!!
The support we have received from our families and friends and NEW friends has been AMAZING!
The healing that I have experienced with my own Mom has been extremely rewarding. She is my #1 fan!
Living through my hellish experience, I came to learn more about who I was and am. I plugged-in and learned about what triggered my anxieties and depression and learned coping mechanisms! I realized that I had normalized my depression for over 20 years! And, now that I have a much clearer understanding of who I am, I know where I can go! Ella has, in a way, been my driving force to be my better self. I am, after all, one of her most important role-models next to her dad!
I live in a constant state of gratitude!
Tania: Oh yes! I found out what a person can endure and come through. I am a better human being for it. I am a survivor! I learned about my strength of character, to let others assist me along a healing journey, the lengths that a person will go to, to help another person. I learned to appreciate friends and how to be grateful.
I have also come to recognize that if what you are doing provides you passion and energy coupled with helping others, then you are probably on the right path. I have learned that we have two hands - one for helping ourselves and one for assisting others. I have learned to trust my husband completely, with anything. I have learned how to be a great friend and a better listener.
TFW: How long was it before your PPD went away, or is it still something you struggle with?
Carla: I had the illness for four years. My struggles are seconds and minutes, not days and years. I know now how to cope with stress, and am finally experiencing the joys of being a mother and having a great time with my son. He is my light and I am amazed at his brightness despite my secret illness.
Elita: As a work-in-progress, I don't fall down nearly as hard as I did before. I stand right back up and keep moving forward! I am on a healing journey and realize that as long as I can keep letting go and trusting in myself; believing in my strengths and accepting those support systems that surround me on all levels, I live a life of amazement, wonder and thankfulness!
Tania: My corner turned when Katherine was ten months old. I was also weaning off my anti-psychotic medication onto a lower dose, so I had more energy. I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have up days and down days, but when a down day does occur, I now have strategies and tactics that I know will work to lift my mood. I also remember "this too shall pass."
TFW: What advice would you give to a mother or a couple that is about to have their first child?
Carla: You can never plan for any emergency perfectly, but educate yourself and surround your wife with support. Build her up, love her, remember that you have created a life reflecting your love and that is beautiful. Remember that you must be a team. Listen, and observe. If she asks for help, offer it willingly without judgment. Make sure you take adequate time after the birth to help her get comfortable and lean on your families and friends to make the transition smoothly. If PPD does occur, fight it, get plans in place, seek counseling and investigate. The road will be less of a strain and you will end up with a stronger relationship!
Elita: Do your best to not think, "Aw geez, that won't happen to me." Read about C-sections, learn about complications that can happen, educate yourself on pre- and post-natal mood disorders! These disorders DO NOT DISCRIMATE! They are global issues. And, the best part...THEY ARE TREATABLE! Empower yourselves by being real with your fears and facing them anyway...together. Learn about those supports that are in place for difficult times and please educate your family and friends while you're at it, too. Everyone truly is a part of the healing solution, "The village that raises the child!"
Tania: My advice would be to educate yourself as much as you can. Knowledge is power! Talk to other women that you are comfortable with - find out the good, the bad and the ugly. Know that your life will never be the same once this child comes into the world. Things that seem important now are not, and things you have paid no attention to will become important. Parenting is the hardest and most fantastic job we will ever have.
TFW: How would you describe the support you got from one another and the other women you met who were dealing with PPD?
Carla: The support was phenomenal because we all understood the darkness, and together the light was blinding in our ability to heal each other. There was understanding without saying a word, expressing ourselves free of judgment, healing together and working as team to build each other up when we needed the support. Our connection as mothers and survivors brought us together to heal others with validation and empathy.
Elita: My healing was exponential after I joined forces with Tania, Carla and Peggy in February 2008! Each month that passes by and we give back to people by connecting with them through sharing and caring and listening with our hearts - I am astounded by the hope we give one another! I've never been as giving and as creative, and it's such a dream come true to be making a positive difference.
Tania: The support systems that I was fortunate enough to have were my lifeline. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my Postpartum Support girlfriends, Mary Kay girlfriends, Mary Kay customers and SaskTel friends. I found that when you let go of the competition between yourself and others and just accept, you will be better for it. I also think that you need to be honest with your friends - let them know what is going on so that they can reach out and help you.
TFW: Is there anything else you'd like to say, or any other words of wisdom you'd like to give to others interested in your stories?
Carla: You can overcome any obstacle, especially PPD, if you love yourself, believe in you strengths and forgive yourself!
Elita: You may not feel this experience is your fault, but it is your responsibility. Actually, any experience in your life is your responsibility in that you can choose how you want to react. For example, you can accept you need help and guidance, or not. You can make a conscious effort to learn from joy instead of from pain. You can remain playing the victim or awaken to your life's purpose. What does your life purpose look or feel like? When you are living from a place of being honest with yourself through self-forgiveness and acceptance; when you begin to let go recognize inspiration when it presents itself and act on it! This all takes practice, but it's so well worth building that sense of connection with yourself and others. The choices are endless...so are you!
Tania: I would just like to say to anyone who is reading this article: There is no such thing as a coincidence or accident. You were MEANT to be reading this article. Maybe you are the one suffering, maybe it is your sister, your mother who did, or your girlfriend - it does not matter because the truth will always set you free!
And now, as if our interview with Carla, Elita, and Tania was not enough, I was also lucky enough to be able to talk to Darren and Ward, Tania and Elita's husbands. Their insight was very valuable, because it shows another side of dealing with PPD that many people do not think about. PPD does not just affect the woman who is suffering from it, but it also affects all those close to them, especially their husbands. After all, having a baby is new for their husbands too, and when a man's wife is suffering from PPD he now finds himself caring for a new baby along with a wife who may not be up to the challenge of caring for that new baby. Darren and Ward's responses to my questions helped bring a fuller picture to the way PPD affects everyone involved.
TFW: From your perspective, what was it like dealing with your wife's PPD? How did her behavior look from the outside?
Darren: My experience was that it was the most difficult period I have experienced in my entire life to this point. When I think about our whole postpartum experience, I break that into two periods of time.
The first period was when my wife was very manic (high) and in mental crisis soon after the premature birth of our child. This was a frightening period of time. My newborn daughter was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and my wife was acting in erratic and bizarre ways. She stayed awake for about two days, and I finally managed to trick her into committing herself into the Psychiatric Ward. Once my wife was in the Psychiatric Ward of the hospital and stabilized, she began taking anti-psychotic medication and her behavior became "normal". Once my wife was released from the hospital, our daughter was released from the hospital within a few weeks as well. This is really the beginning of the second period of our postpartum experience.
This second period was less dramatic, but I would say looking back on it now, it was the hardest part. My wife was taking medication that basically knocked her out at night. I was left to do all of the night feedings, and then get up and go to work the next day. My wife was extremely unmotivated to do much of anything during the day. She generally did not do any housework, or cook, or even just go out. This left me to do most of the cooking, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping etc, as well as the night feedings and a full time job, and part time business as well. Some days my wife would call me at work and tell me she "just couldn't handle it" and to get home because she was going to hurt our child. I found this period was the hardest for me personally. She just would not do anything. I could see she was suffering, but she refused to get out of the house and go do anything for herself or with our daughter. I don't just mean housework, I mean anything, from going to the park or a movie to visiting friends etc.
My personal frustration levels where very high during this time. There were times when I was so angry I felt violent, there were times when I cried, there were times when just wanted to quit. But I didn't.
Things slowly began to get better once my wife began attending regular postpartum support group meetings, and going on more outings with friends. Also, my daughter began to sleep through the night (most of the time). It was a very long process. If you were to ask me, I would say it was almost 2 years before I got my wife back.
As for how it looked from the outside, during the first period of our postpartum experience, when my wife was manic I actually received several phone calls from her friends and business associates expressing their concern for her well-being. It was obvious she was in mental difficulty and anyone who had any face-to-face contact with her could tell.
During the second period of our postpartum experience I am not sure most people knew the extent of what was going on. This actually is the cruelest part of any postpartum experience in my opinion. Everyone affected by it is so wrapped up in shame, guilt, anger, fear, and such that they will rarely ask for help.
Ward: To be honest, I had no idea what was going on. Ella was our first child and I was the youngest of four, so I had no real idea of what to expect. Part of me was convinced that this was normal. Then I struggled with the question, "If this is normal then why do people do this more than once?" I had no idea of what it looked like from the outside, and frankly it never really crossed my mind to even think about what it may have looked from the outside. I knew it was a rough patch and that we would get through it, it would just take some time, and we were learning. The learning curve for Elita and I was steep.
I would say that Elita was in denial of having depression for the longest time, and that was the first hurdle and most important was the acceptance. Once you accept it is happening to you, that opens up the path to growth to become a more complete person.
TFW: How did your wife's depression affect your relationship?
Darren: The affect on our relationship was total. As most people will tell you, having a child will change your relationship. Having a child and a postpartum experience with that child can (and frequently does) devastate your relationship. We essentially had no sex life of any kind for probably a year at least. I was at a loss as to what happened to the wonderful woman I had married. She and I stopped doing most of the things we used to do together (going to the gym, movies, on dates, etc). My wife gained a lot of weight due to the medication she was on. I also managed to gain a lot of weight without any medication for some reason too...
Ward: It did really affect our relationship. It took not only Elita over, but me as well. We both changed as people. We didn't laugh or enjoy each other's company as much. We were both very short with each other, and frankly we were both scared and nervous about our new responsibility as parents. We do not take the job of parenting lightly, and that added to the pressure we placed on ourselves already. I can say that since this journey has begun we have learned even more about ourselves and our limits. Elita has taken responsibility for her own health and in turn that has really helped me. As a result of the healing that is going on, our relationship is being repaired and in some facets is even stronger than before.
TFW: What were the biggest challenges you had to face while your wife was sick?
Darren: Other than the things mentioned above, my biggest challenge was the depression that I myself fell into about a year or so into our post partum experience. I was finding that I had feelings of being powerless and paralyzed. This really affected my work life, my business, my health, my love. I went to professional counseling for myself and I believe I have pulled through that stage of my life.
Ward: First off, I don't believe the word "sick" is fair. I don't perceive Elita's Postpartum Depression as a sickness but rather an experience, and she wasn't alone in her struggle. I was going through the same thing.
I was quick to judge Elita and overly critical. I was becoming more resentful as her behavior continued and nothing was getting better. Elita was taken over by fear and anxiety. She did not leave the house much, or do much around the house for that matter; the household seemed to be in a state of chaos. It was tough to be understanding when some simple tasks or requests were not getting done.
TFW: What advice would you give other husbands who are about to become fathers for the first time?
Darren: Just be very involved and helpful. Pay attention to your wife and how she is acting and feeling. Be a good father and husband. If you don't know what that is, take ownership and find out (read books, internet research etc.)
Ward: The advice I would give husbands who are about to become fathers for the first time is a tough question. I don't feel that I am in any sort of position on giving advice about being a parent. I guess the main piece of advice is to try to be prepared for the change in lifestyle. The problem is, how do you prepare for it? I would have to agree with what Darren said: Be very involved and supportive of what your wife is going through.
TFW: What would you tell another husband whose wife is suffering from PPD?
Darren: Hold on to your family. No matter what! They need you more than you can know; there will be times when you are tempted to let anger control you, to let selfishness control you, to let fear and self doubt control you. You must fight through that and be a pillar of support for your family. There will be a period of time when everything in your relationship will depend on you, so be ready for it.
Ward: I would tell husbands whose wives are suffering from PPD to get help from other people. Ask your family, friends, and whoever your wife has respect for if they would talk with her, too. Explain to them what is happening and ask if they would be willing to help. I found that Elita would listen better to people other than me. Also try to be as empathetic as possible and show your partner that Postpartum Depression comes in a number of forms and it really isn't anything to be ashamed of. I would like to think this depression is just a transition period in life, and once you have come to terms with what is happening and accept it, you are on your way to winning the battle.
TFW: Is there anything else you would like to say about your wife's depression and the challenges you both faced?
Ward: I would like to say we both had to deal with changes in levels of responsibility and life adjustments. Change is sometimes a struggle but you usually come out wiser and better in the end. I would encourage people to talk about the struggles that they have. You would be surprised by the amount of people that are struggling with the same challenges. Once you start talking you will find out you are not alone, and then it is easier to have a sense of humor about your current situation. Nobody is perfect, nor should you try to be.
For more information about Postpartum Depression or to learn more about Tania, Carla, and Elita's stories, visit www.thesmilingmask.com or pick up a copy of The Smiling Mask: Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood by Carla O'Reilly, Elita Paterson, Tania Bird, and Peggy Collins.
You can also visit www.cntgrp.ca/unmaskingppd to learn about their conference "Unmasking Postpartum Depression: Real Pain - Real People - Real Hope" taking Place September 29 - October 1 2009 in Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA.
[1] Bird, Tania, Collins, Peggy, O'Reilly, Carla, and Paterson, Elita. The Smiling Mask. Saskatchewan: Purpose to Prosperity Publishing, 2008.
[2] Harper, Marlene. Preface, The Smiling Mask.
[3] "Conquering Postpartum Depression: A proven plan for recovery," Ronald Rosenburg, M.D. Deborah Greening, Ph.D. James Windell, M.A., 2003.
[2] Harper, Marlene. Preface, The Smiling Mask.
[3] "Conquering Postpartum Depression: A proven plan for recovery," Ronald Rosenburg, M.D. Deborah Greening, Ph.D. James Windell, M.A., 2003.