This Isn't What I Expected, 2nd Edition

Overcoming Postpartum Depression

By: Karen R. Kleiman MSW LCSW, Valerie Davis Raskin MD

Narrated by: Norah Tocci

If you or someone you love is among the one in seven women stricken by PPD, you know how hard it is to get real help. In this definitive guide, postpartum experts Karen Kleiman and Valerie Davis Raskin offer compassionate support and solid advice on dealing with every aspect of PPD. Their proven self-help program, which can be used alone or with a support group or therapist, will help you monitor each phase of illness, recognize when you need professional help, cope with daily life, and recover with new strength and confidence.

Learn how to identify the symptoms of PPD and distinguish it from "baby blues"; deal with panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive urges, and stress overload; break the cycle of shame and negative thoughts; mobilize support from your husband or partner, family, and friends; seek and evaluate treatment options; and cope with the disappointment and loss of self-esteem.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Karen Kleiman and Valerie Davis Raskin (P)2018 Tantor

Great info but found voice annoying

Great info but voice was annoying, especially after just listening to Brooke Shield’s book on PPD which sounded much more personable. Voice was somewhat better when I listened on 1.5 speed.

Should be required for all new parents.

I wish I had read/listened to this book after the birth of my first child and then again after my 4th when I experienced PPD for the first time. Listening to this on the other side of PPD taught me even more than I learned while having PPD. I now have more tools to better support those in my circles.

Very comprehensive

This is full of a ton of information almost more than I could want, but it make sure that all angles are covered. The only con is I wish that instead of husband, they used the word partner, because not everyone is married, nor married to a man who has PPD.

Excellent resource

I’m a doula in training and this book is part of my required reading. This should be a part of every new parents reading! I had ppd twice and had no idea how bad it actually was till I read this book! I would’ve benefited so much from having this knowledge then!

Changed my life

This book literally changed my life, I tried finding help in so many other channels and was never successful. Have no friends or relatives who had gone through this and doctors kept telling me I was only tired. Reading this I felt understood and learned strategies to deal with my condition and even depression in general. LOVE it and recommend it to any mommy.

Good starting point to get PPD help

This is a good resource to recognise symptoms and help validate some of the tough feelings around PPD. I read the book 1 year after my son was born. Wish someone had told me about this 6 weeks postpartum. Could’ve saved me a tonne of anxiety and heartache

Great info for postpartum moms and dads

I'm a doula and this book was part of my training. I think all expecting mothers and fathers should read this book to prepare for the possibility of postpartum depression

General advice for a specific disorder.

Most of this advice seemed perfectly applicable for anyone with a mental health issue, not really specific to the postpartum period. If someone is in a real PPD or PPA episode they're unlikely to sit and read or listen to an entire book or be able to apply it. This was more useful for me as a doula to be able to screen my clients better than it would be for someone struggling with this issue.

Trigger warning for those who have experienced ppd

I ended up returning this audio. I'm really glad it has helped some women but for me I feel like it just triggered bad emotions and bad memories rather than helped me personally. I should have thought of it causing that but it definitely took me by surprise. I had PPD after my sixth baby was born over two years ago (having never experienced it even remotely at all before) and it was AWFUL and completely took us by surprise!...thankfully I recovered and started feeling more like myself every day after about six to eight weeks...and I'm SO grateful because it was HORRIBLE. I have no idea why it hit me!!! I was listening to this hoping for some insight and "why's" of why women go through this horrible trial....but for me this book was not a good idea. I do appreciate that they are trying to help and bring awareness though... and I really hope it helps some who are struggling!

Worst book ever

The whole book is about “what is PPD” things that I already know ! I can’t believe I wasted my money on this I wish I could get a refund