Brooke Shields’ chronicles her journey through postpartum depression in the autobiographical snapshot, “Down Came The Rain.” In a calm and honest voice she speaks about the trials and emotional tightrope that she found herself balancing during a two/three year period.

Despite infertility issues, Shields longed for a deeply connected and loving relationship with her husband and their birth-child. Brooke clearly communicates her suffering, offering the reader an intimate view into her life and relationships as she struggles to achieve her dream of having a baby and a happy family life.

Shields claims to have been the personality type to always get what she wanted until this. But isn’t that just life to sometimes throw you a curve when you dream really big dreams. Often, we have to battle huge obstacles that bring with them divine wisdom, making us ready in understanding and gratitude for the gifts we so selfishly ask for and take for granted.

The New York Times bestseller, “Down Came The Rain, My Journey Through Postpartum Depression,” has just been released in paperback and is a great book for Brooke Shields fans who would like to know a little more. It would appeal to anyone who has suffered wanting a baby and discovering that wasn’t necessarily within their control. To those belonging to the sisterhood of postpartum and especially to those mothers whose lives have lost excitement and have became shrouded in dullness since the birth of a child.

After the birth of our first child I felt overwhelmed. I broke into tears and was laughed at as a nurse stated, “You’ve got a case of the baby blues.” I was embarrassed and it really didn’t feel at all funny. I left the hospital feeling that gloom was natural. As my life moved forward as a new mom, I began living a life buried beneath my own repressive thoughts and misery. I was nervous, sleep deprived, and out of sorts. I was nursing a very healthy eater (once an hour, day and night) and packing quite a few extra pounds. All these things combined to make it hard for me to understand my mood was more than just a little gloomy.

Postpartum depression is a common, frequently unrecognized, and devastating condition following childbirth. Complicated and laced by the deep shame and guilt that so many women feel. Moms don’t or can’t talk about what they are going through with a family member or a doctor. Many women don’t even realize that there is anything to talk about.

Depressed moms have a more negative attitude toward their children. This fact alone is devastating to a mother’s esteem and it can also have life long consequences for the mother/child relationship. Postpartum depression also puts an emotional burden on the family unit. It is impossible to understand the depth of what a mother is suffering unless you have lived it and sometimes a husband can’t understand why his capable looking wife won’t just “get a grip.”

Depression draws a mother in and is very self absorbing, which can leave her feeling incapable of helping others or herself, in spite of the fact that she is often the most sensitive to the negative side of what is transpiring, and the potential consequences.

The keys to successful treatment are identifying postpartum depression and seeking help. Women suffering PPD need strong family support and until research proves a better way, in many cases medicine is required. Also, the sufferer should learn to deal with depression through counseling, diet, exercise, and getting educated.

There is a clear association between postpartum depression and a family history of depression. In my case this was my father and an earlier bout myself at the end of my teens. A large amount of stress, and life changes can contribute as well. There is also an increased risk of postpartum depression when using fertility drugs.

Postpartum depression or mood disorders are divided into three categories:

The mildest being the Baby Blues. This condition appears in up to 85% of deliveries. Practitioners view it as a "normal." condition. The symptoms could be a depressed mood, irritability, anxiety, confusion, and crying spells. These symptoms typically resolve within 72 hours.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the devastating Puerperal Psychosis. Causing a mother to suffer from hallucinations and delusions that often focus on the infant or the mother dying. Most women who suffer from puerperal psychosis also suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or organic brain syndromes.

Symptoms lying between the two extremes are called Postpartum Depression. Some possible signs of PPD include:

Emptiness, a loss of interest, trouble feeling pleasure or enjoying activities.
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or dealing with common household tasks.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, especially failure at motherhood.
Excessive anxiety over the child.
Displeasure at the sound of the child’s cry.
Not wanting to move or carry on normal functioning.
Heavy fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep.
Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide.