Evaluation and Treatment of Postpartum Emotional Disorders
PRACTITIONER'S RESOURCE SERIES

By
ANN L. DUNNEWOLD

    Postpartum depression affects nearly 20% of new mothers.  Nevertheless, healthcare professionals have, until very recently, tended to minimize or ignore the uniqueness of this often anxious and stressful time in a woman's life.  This book teaches professionals how to recognize the many faces of postpartum emotional disorders and debunks the myths which hinder women from receiving the most appropriate interventions.    
     Procedures for clinical assessment, psychotherapeutic interventions, and medical-psychiatric treatments are described.  A case example of an integrated treatment approach is provided.
   The author discusses the normal biological and psychosocial changes associated with childbirth, as well as the biological basis of postpartum disorders and the psychosocial risk factors that make some women more vulnerable to postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.  Strategies are presented for early intervention and prevention.
    A thorough review of the literature is included as well as numerous references and resources.

REVIEWS

"I am delighted to finally see a book that goes beyond just identifying postpartum disorders, and focuses on research findings, as well as the treatment of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.  This valuable resource guide provides practical, down-to-earth ideas and interventions for mental health professionals working with women suffering from postpartum emotional disorders.  Ann Dunnewold does an excellent job in providing useful information for both the novice and those of us who specialize in postpartum emotional disorders.  It is a pleasure to see a professional book which highlights Depression After Delivery (DAD) and Postpartum Support International as national organizations which provide valuable information, support and resources for women with postpartum emotional disorders and their families.  I highly recommend it."
     *Susan Benjamin Feingold, PsyD, President, Depression After Delivery, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Highland Park, IL

"This book is a compact and useful guide for health care professionals who encounter mothers and/or couples in distress after the birth of a child.  Although specifically written for mental health providers, I believe it offers guidance and understanding for a broad spectrum of health care professionals, such as nurses and physicians, who may now see more clearly when to make a referral for counseling."
     *Anna Beth Benningfield, PhD, Dallas, TX, Past President, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)