Breaking the Grip of Postpartum Depression: Walk Toward Wellness with Real Facts, Real Stories, and Real God

Bizarre and misunderstood, postpartum depression can strip the joy from what should be the happiest time in a woman's life. Women feel alone. They don't have a clue what's wrong. The harsh reality is that it feels like being in the fog of an unexplained emotional nightmare, of which a woman cannot shake herself free. Isolated in this strangeness, inwardly women feel unstable, maybe even crazy. The message of this book is a welcome life preserver of hope and help that can be hard to find, because women don't know where to turn. The clinical facts and statistics bring immediate relief. "No, I'm not the only one!" The truth within this book dispels myths, and is combined with God's guiding words for the heart and soul, to bring peace amidst the feelings of inner chaos. Examples from other women's stories reveal how it feels. And author Judy Dippel is a woman who experienced it firsthand, and she transparently shares parts of her story. The sound consulting advice of therapists who specialize in PPD is interwoven throughout this book. The really great news for women and those who love them! They are not the only one. They aren't a bad mom. It's not their fault and they will recover and they can and do get well. It won't last forever. But they need to be told the truth and this book helps them face it for what it is. Clinical postpartum depression and/or accompanying perinatal mood disorders cause intense suffering and distress among (USA Centers for Disease Control reports) 11-20% of new mothers. Feelings of shame and embarrassment cause women to isolate themselves, but by acknowledging the facts, hearing other women's stories, proper medical care, and the unconditional love and guidance found in God, women have the help, encouragement and hope to break the dark grip of postpartum depression. They can walk toward wellness in what is a most disturbing time. This book is an important message for anyone who is pregnant, or suffering in a maze of confusing thoughts and symptoms after the birth of their baby. It's for the husbands, mothers and friends who love and care for them; reading this helps friends and family relay to their loved one what other women have experienced. The beauty of the truth helps women shed their fears and phobias to better help themselves, have renewed hope, or maybe even break the grip before it takes hold! Readers will begin to understand that postpartum depression is totally different and more serious than the "baby blues" that 80 percent of women commonly experience. PPD overcomes new mothers without warning and unrecognized and untreated, it can last for months and years, as they suffer through it without greater awareness or professional care. It can be devastating. Not knowing what is wrong, they ask themselves, "Is it normal?" "Is this how I am supposed to feel?" This book is an important tool for preventative care, education and awareness, and sound strategies. If women are prepared, they can more readily face it for what it is, or if they are already struggling this book comes alongside them with practical tips of what they can do right now. Did you know? PPD can start during pregnancy, or immediately postpartum. Dark and disturbing, women begin experiencing bizarre mental, emotional and physical symptoms that disrupt their abilities to function in varying degrees. Most often, this clinical condition asserts symptoms totally unlike themselves, and pulls them away from the diligent mother they sincerely want to be. "Breaking the Grip of Postpartum Depression" also helps women walk toward wellness by suggesting other trusted outside resources when further help is needed.