A Deeper Shade of Blue: A Woman's Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Her Childbearing Years

by Ruta M. Nonacs

Depression affects women almost twice as often as men, with about one in four women suffering from it in her lifetime. While depression may strike at any time, studies show that women are particularly vulnerable during their childbearing years. Despite the increasing awareness of this deeply concerning issue, many studies and health professionals still continue to focus almost solely on postpartum depression, ignoring the fact that depression is just as likely to affect women while they're trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Now, in this comprehensive, empathetic, and candid book, Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a senior member of the Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and mother of two children herself, confronts the seldom talked-about issues of pregnancy-related depression, Becoming pregnant while being treated for depression Infertility-related depression and the effects of fertility treatments Understanding the effects of maternal depression on spouses and family Postpartum depression and anxiety Nonacs also addresses the many complicated issues in a woman's life during the span of her childbearing years -- education, career, marriage, childbearing, and child rearing -- and discusses the ways in which depression often takes hold during potentially stressful times. Nonacs identifies many of the symptoms of depression associated with pregnancy and discusses treatments and cures, as well as ways to minimize effects of depression on family and friends. Straightforward and honest, as well as emotionally sensitive and deeply moving, A Deeper Shade of Blue gives every woman who has suffered from pregnancy-related depression the information she needs to get the best care for herself, during pregnancy and beyond. Depression affects women almost twice as often as men, with about one in four women suffering from it in her lifetime. While depression may strike at any time, studies show that women are particularly vulnerable during their childbearing years. Despite the increasing awareness of this deeply concerning issue, many studies and health professionals still continue to focus almost solely on postpartum depression, ignoring the fact that depression is just as likely to affect women while they're trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Now, in this comprehensive, empathetic, and candid book, Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a senior member of the Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and mother of two children herself, confronts the seldom talked-about issues of pregnancy-related depression, Becoming pregnant while being treated for depression Infertility-related depression and the effects of fertility treatments Understanding the effects of maternal depression on spouses and family Postpartum depression and anxiety Nonacs also addresses the many complicated issues in a woman's life during the span of her childbearing years -- education, career, marriage, childbearing, and child rearing -- and discusses the ways in which depression often takes hold during potentially stressful times. Nonacs identifies many of the symptoms of depression associated with pregnancy and discusses treatments and cures, as well as ways to minimize effects of depression on family and friends. Straightforward and honest, as well as emotionally sensitive and deeply moving, A Deeper Shade of Blue gives every woman who has suffered from pregnancy-related depression the information she needs to get the best care for herself, during pregnancy and beyond.

Genres: Womens

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Brittany Nasgovitz]

Good, informational. The reason I gave it a 3 is because a lot of the info is extremely repetitive, and I’ve already studied this topic voraciously. Plus it is from 2006 so obviously there is no info on the more current medications for depressive illness. Overall the message is that depression is highly treatable and that there are contradictory studies for almost all antidepressants for pregnancy and postpartum women. The lowest or no-risk choices for the fetus include talk therapy, and ECT. But sometimes the danger of the depressive illness outweighs the danger of medication. So medication must be considered in severe cases. Includes questionnaires to help you decide what treatment you should seek based on your history.

[Megan Jacobsmeyer]

The best and most reliable resource I found on the subject. So many books on this topic are too medical or too personal. This one was well balanced. Any woman who feels a shift with their hormones should have this book as a resource.