Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression

by Marie Osmond

Book Overview

More than one out of 10 new mothers experience post-partum depression (PPD), yet few women seek help. After Marie Osmond, beloved singer and TV talk show host, gave birth to her seventh child (four of her children are adopted), she became increasingly depressed. One night, she handed over her bank card to her babysitter, got in her car, and drove north-with no intention of returning until she had emerged from her crisis.

After she went public...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446527769
• ISBN13: 9780446527767
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Warner Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

PPD is real

I thank Marie Osmond for having the courage to write this book. I have been dealing with the shame, the pain, and other emotional obstacles due to PPD for the last 2 years. The tears rolled down my face as I read this book. The book validated all the emotions that I was feeling. Now that I know what it is I am dealing with I can get the help that I need to get out of this and move on with my life. Thanks Marie.

Excellent--Could not put down

This is an excellent book for anyone who has been through or is going through PPD. Some people want to put down Marie Osmond and other stars for writing self-help books, and it is really sad that it takes someone like this to make people realize that this is a problem. I have been suffering from PPD for 2 years now, and I thought I was crazy until I read this book. It is very informative, and lets you realize you are not alone. There is a section where her Doctor speaks about treatment for PPD, she gives you a list of ways to treat it. Test you can ask your Dr. to perform, medications that can be used. Anti-depressants are not the only types of medications that can be used to treat this horrible disease. She informs the reader you can be treated through vitamins, herbs or homeopathic treatments and you are even given the names and places where you can order by phone or online if you choose to have herbal or homeopathic treatment. As a matter of fact, I ordered my first shipment today, and I hope I have a turnout like she did. Shorter rating- Thumbs up Marie. Excellent Book could not put it down, as a matter of fact I stayed up all night and read the entire book.

Subtitle is "Walk a mile in my shoes"

While this is a book basically about PPD the fact is it is a book about mental illness and how we as a society either turn away or face the lion and the fact that mental illness in whatever form is treatable.My birth mother was institutionalized because of schizophrenia, my husband after being hit by a drunk driver developed PTSD (post traumatic shock disorder) and because of the roller coaster journey I had a brush with DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder.PPD like these other mental health issues can be dealt with. And unless you have been there, you cannot possibly understand why Ms Osmond doesn't tickle the voyeurs need to know the torrid details about the sexual abuse she notes she encountered. I am thankful she had the maturity to note it and move on to the bigger picture which was PPD, and the help she got.Thank you Marie for helping everyone, patient as well as family and friends better understand that mental health is something we all need to come out of the dark ages and into the modern world of wholeness and help. You may never fully know what a great gift you have given so many, many people.

Wow! What an awesome and helpful book!!!!

I am truly impressed. Marie Osmond was very candid in this book. She revealed many very personal details about her struggle. While writing the book may have been cathartic for her, I think she revealed these details to help other women (more than anything). She is very successful in that effort! We are lucky she took the time in her busy schedule to write this book to help others!!! I am currently facing these issues myself. I found her book enormously helpful, interesting, funny, sad, moving, etc. I could relate to much of what she went through. I am so glad I bought this book. I have already recommended it to a friend of a friend who is also dealing with PPD. Having been diagnosed with manic depression following the birth of my 1st child 6 months ago, I really appreciated this book. Even though Marie was not diagnosed with manic depression, there was mention of it towards the end of the book (in Dr. Moore's section). If you are thinking about buying this book, do it. You won't regret it. I laughed and wept. I loved the coverage of alternative/integrative medicine and the appendix resources! Outstanding! There is even a section called "The Father's Experience of Living with Postpartum Depression" in Dr. Moore's part of the book. Believe me, my husband will read this book next. Couldn't put it down!!! It's awesome.

I felt as though I were reading about me.

I thought I was alone. That no one could ever feel the pain, sadness and loneliness I have felt. But, as I read each written word of Marie's story. I somehow found it comforting to know that I was not alone and that there is hope. I have always admired Marie and have been a fan since my teenage years. I am a private person also. But, now I have decided to seek help. Her book gave me the inspriation and the courage and the hope that I needed. Thank you, Marie