Brooke Shields: The Terror Of Postpartum Depression

Brooke Shields: The Terror of Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression is a commonly overlooked disability that affects mothers worldwide. It slowly deteriorates a mother’s mental state and can eventually lead to violent consequences. Brooke Shields is a famous actor who was hit with crippling depression as a result of having a child. After seeking out help, she prevailed and could have a happy family and life. One in ten women are affected by postpartum depression after giving birth (Miller 14). Certain symptoms that can be exhibited affect the mothers physically. For example, mothers with postpartum depression can be either anorexic or bulimic (22). Also, they can have insomnia or they may oversleep (Langwith 17). Many of the symptoms,
however, are mental. They feel inadequate as parents and are detached from their newborns (Miller 16). They may exhibit symptoms of other disabilities such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (17). They can be afraid of both being alone and going out, which causes them to become detached from friends and family (Langwith 17).
The disability is caused by a myriad of natural conditions, but it is much more likely to develop in a woman who has had previous mental or addiction problems (Miller 26) as well as one who has social issues such as poverty or relationship issues (27).
Speaking in terms of natural causes, postpartum depression is caused by imbalances of neurotransmitters and hormones that come as a result of childbirth (25). Three other causes can be deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin B9 (51) and omega-3 fatty acids (53), a family history of depression, and stress (Langwith 18).
Many different treatments are available to help mothers with postpartum depression. One commonly available treatment is taking antidepressants (Miller 39) such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, and Cymbalta (40). For mothers who do not want to take medications, there are many other options. A couple of examples are acupuncture (45), group therapy (48), massage (55), aromatherapy, and hypnosis (57). Taking herbal supplements, such as ginseng and lavender, is also a distinct possibility (Langwith
18).
Brooke Shields’s problems began after her daughter was born, but there were plenty of issues that occurred before and during her pregnancy. She had a cervix that made it nearly impossible for her to get pregnant (Rain 7), which also caused her to require a c-section (36). More importantly, she was told of an imminent miscarriage right before going on stage (3). A few more examples are that she had gotten a divorce, her best friend committed suicide, her father died, she was inexperienced, and her husband had returned to work (140). As a result of pregnancy, she felt devastated (65), incompetent (67), and had no appreciation for her child (65). Socially, she had an extremely short temper (77), cried profusely (69), and did not trust others (68).
Many people and some medications assisted Brooke through the crippling depression that came after the birth of her daughter. Her friends convinced her to hire a baby nurse to help with the infant and bring new ideas about parenting (Rain 101). Two acquaintances, Kate Lear and Jonathan LaPook, helped by educating Brooke about postpartum depression (115). She also had a therapist who would counsel her about her problems (150). Two medications were prescribed to her throughout the course of her depression: Paxil (90) and Wellbutrin (179).
Brooke has been working since she was eleven months old (Rain 5) since someone had put the idea in her mother’s head that her child could be a model. Her mother had her be in an ivory soap ad and continued getting her jobs to act in (Little Girl 46). Eventually, Brooke became a well known child model (48) with her mother as her manager (55). Everything escalated from there, with her eventually meeting the downfall of depression.
Out of all of her family and friends, Brooke only trusted two people enough to talk to them about her depression: her husband Chris (Rain 96) and the baby nurse Gemma (107).
Chris consulted Brooke about her problems and got her to make promises that no one else could (96). Similarly, Gemma was the person that Brooke would go to to talk and find support (107). Months before, a friend gave Brooke books on postpartum depression and, after reading them, she realized that she was not alone in her feelings and that there really was a way out (141). Brooke brought some attention to postpartum depression by how she was completely honest in conversations. Her story shocked everyone who heard it (145). Brooke’s greatest impact on others, however, is her book Down Came the Rain, where she details her journey through postpartum depression (215).
A battle was waged between Brooke and postpartum depression, but she found a way out through talking and medication. The same can be true for other afflicted mothers, no matter who they are or what their background is. There is always a way out, even when there does not seem to be an end. Despite the fact that the disability can be so severe, one thing is true: it is a commonly overlooked disability that affects mothers
worldwide.