Brooke Shields Shares Postpartum Depression and Recovery Story
Postpartum depression affects millions of women each year, yet many keep their symptoms of extreme sadness, anger or even suicidal thoughts a secret from friends and family. Celebrity stories, like that of actress and model Brooke Shields, are helping generate more awareness for the serious condition.
Shields publicized her story of postpartum depression in a book "Down Came the Rain" and appeared on several celebrity interview shows to talk about the condition. After trying for several months to become pregnant, she finally conceived after repeated fertility treatments. However, when the birth of her daughter arrived, she experienced sadness and depression instead of joy.
She writes in the book about feelings of deep sadness and of having failed somehow – despite a miscarriage and then a successful pregnancy that she said should have brought immense happiness. The feelings began during numerous infertility treatments, and were present again when the baby arrived. They reached a point where the actress recalls not even wanting to be alive, and considered ending it by jumping out of her apartment window.
Around one out of 10 women will experience postpartum depression, which includes symptoms of deep sadness, hopelessness and a desire to keep the feelings secret. A feeling of being "empty" is another symptom of the condition, and separates it from what some refer to as the "baby blues." Postpartum depression can become more severe in the months following the birth and last a year or more if not treated.
As Shields’ network of family members and friends tried to help, they would suggest things like time away or some extra sleep. None of it seemed to help, and she recalls periods of intense crying. Desires to harm herself and strong feelings of doubt and insecurity also set in. She also had visions of seeing her infant sliding down a wall, although in the visions it wasn’t her who threw the baby.
A complicated pregnancy or tough delivery can heighten a woman’s chances of postpartum depression, both of which Shields experienced. A loss or significant life change occurring near the time of the birth can also increase a woman’s chances, and the birth of her daughter was very near the time she lost her father to cancer. Still, Shields didn’t see the condition in her future and was surprised to learn that she was suffering from postpartum depression.
Today, Shields has fully recovered, and continues to spread a message that helps reduce the stigma associated with the condition. Most women fully recover with professional help. Common treatments include medication, rest and therapy. She also accepts the reality that her celebrity image as "having it all together" doesn’t have to be the face she puts forward. Instead, with honesty and wisdom, she can share her story of postpartum depression and recovery in hopes of helping other women.
