Brooke Shields Fights Back - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-01-2005, 10:13 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/op...gewanted=print

War of Words

By BROOKE SHIELDS
I WAS hoping it wouldn't come to this, but after Tom Cruise's interview with Matt Lauer on the NBC show "Today" last week, I feel compelled to speak not just for myself but also for the hundreds of thousands of women who have suffered from postpartum depression. While Mr. Cruise says that Mr. Lauer and I do not "understand the history of psychiatry," I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Mr. Cruise has never suffered from postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is caused by the hormonal shifts that occur after childbirth. During pregnancy, a woman's level of estrogen and progesterone greatly increases; then, in the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops to normal, nonpregnant levels. This change in hormone levels can lead to reactions that range from restlessness and irritability to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

I never thought I would have postpartum depression. After two years of trying to conceive and several attempts at in vitro fertilization, I thought I would be overjoyed when my daughter, Rowan Francis, was born in the spring of 2003. But instead I felt completely overwhelmed. This baby was a stranger to me. I didn't know what to do with her. I didn't feel at all joyful. I attributed feelings of doom to simple fatigue and figured that they would eventually go away. But they didn't; in fact, they got worse.

I couldn't bear the sound of Rowan crying, and I dreaded the moments my husband would bring her to me. I wanted her to disappear. I wanted to disappear. At my lowest points, I thought of swallowing a bottle of pills or jumping out the window of my apartment.

I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me that I was suffering from postpartum depression and gave me a prescription for the antidepressant Paxil. I wasn't thrilled to be taking drugs. In fact, I prematurely stopped taking them and had a relapse that almost led me to drive my car into a wall with Rowan in the backseat. But the drugs, along with weekly therapy sessions, are what saved me - and my family.

Since writing about my experiences with the disease, I have been approached by many women who have told me their stories and thanked me for opening up about a topic that is often not discussed because of fear, shame or lack of support and information. Experts estimate that one in 10 women suffer, usually in silence, with this treatable disease. We are living in an era of so-called family values, yet because almost all of the postnatal focus is on the baby, mothers are overlooked and left behind to endure what can be very dark times.

And comments like those made by Tom Cruise are a disservice to mothers everywhere. To suggest that I was wrong to take drugs to deal with my depression, and that instead I should have taken vitamins and exercised shows an utter lack of understanding about postpartum depression and childbirth in general.

If any good can come of Mr. Cruise's ridiculous rant, let's hope that it gives much-needed attention to a serious disease. Perhaps now is the time to call on doctors, particularly obstetricians and pediatricians, to screen for postpartum depression. After all, during the first three months after childbirth, you see a pediatrician at least three times. While pediatricians are trained to take care of children, it would make sense for them to talk with new mothers, ask questions and inform them of the symptoms and treatment should they show signs of postpartum depression.

In a strange way, it was comforting to me when my obstetrician told me that my feelings of extreme despair and my suicidal thoughts were directly tied to a biochemical shift in my body. Once we admit that postpartum is a serious medical condition, then the treatment becomes more available and socially acceptable. With a doctor's care, I have since tapered off the medication, but without it, I wouldn't have become the loving parent I am today.

So, there you have it. It's not the history of psychiatry, but it is my history, personal and real.

Brooke Shields, the author of "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression," isstarring in the musical "Chicago" in London.

Mysty Eyes · 07-01-2005, 10:24 AM

Go Brooke!!!

Jrnygrl · 07-01-2005, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the post. I am so glad that Brooke has said what she said. Brooke did not have to tell the world about her struggle, and how she wanted to harm herself and her child, but she has done it so that no one else has to go through or feel what she feels.

As far as Mr. Cruise is concerned, like Matt Lauer said, what works for Cruise may not work for the next person. Until Tom has a baby and knows what it feels like he should shut his mouth.

Central Perk · 07-01-2005, 10:45 AM

Great Article.

PrettyinPink55 · 07-01-2005, 11:53 AM

YOU GO BROOKE!!!!!!!

MsOrange · 07-01-2005, 12:23 PM

i have a new respect for her that I do not have for many people.

Go Brooke!

Janice · 07-01-2005, 12:27 PM

As much of a dog that Cruise is, I have a feeling that his remarks about Brooke will cause people to buy her new book. He's bringing attention to her.

Superstar · 07-01-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

As much of a dog that Cruise is, I have a feeling that his remarks about Brooke will cause people to buy her new book. He's bringing attention to her.

I agree

Go Brook!

dawsongirl · 07-01-2005, 03:34 PM

Wooo! Take that Tommy boy. owned!

Now I know she sat down and wrote this, but I also see that she's much more intelligent than Tom has been in any of interviews, where he trips over his words and repeats the same things over and over again.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-01-2005, 03:34 PM

Zebra 3 · 07-01-2005, 03:59 PM

I wonder how much time will it take until Brooke just flat out calls the little spaceman a nutcase.

Janice · 07-01-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Wooo! Take that Tommy boy. owned!

Now I know she sat down and wrote this, but I also see that she's much more intelligent than Tom has been in any of interviews, where he trips over his words and repeats the same things over and over again.

No kidding. Brooke graduated from Princeton with honors while a lot of articles state that Cruise is a high school dropout.

Lee · 07-01-2005, 07:10 PM

Brooke Shields is a woman of great integrity and courage.

Sara Micelli · 07-01-2005, 07:45 PM

Good for her.

JDS84 · 07-01-2005, 08:41 PM

You go Brooke!!

07-01-2005, 10:13 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Brooke Shields Fights Back http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/op...gewanted=print War of Words By BROOKE SHIELDS I WAS hoping it wouldn't come to this, but after Tom Cruise's interview with Matt Lauer on the NBC show "Today" last week, I feel compelled to speak not just for myself but also for the hundreds of thousands of women who have suffered from postpartum depression. While Mr. Cruise says that Mr. Lauer and I do not "understand the history of psychiatry," I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Mr. Cruise has never suffered from postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is caused by the hormonal shifts that occur after childbirth. During pregnancy, a woman's level of estrogen and progesterone greatly increases; then, in the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops to normal, nonpregnant levels. This change in hormone levels can lead to reactions that range from restlessness and irritability to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. I never thought I would have postpartum depression. After two years of trying to conceive and several attempts at in vitro fertilization, I thought I would be overjoyed when my daughter, Rowan Francis, was born in the spring of 2003. But instead I felt completely overwhelmed. This baby was a stranger to me. I didn't know what to do with her. I didn't feel at all joyful. I attributed feelings of doom to simple fatigue and figured that they would eventually go away. But they didn't; in fact, they got worse. I couldn't bear the sound of Rowan crying, and I dreaded the moments my husband would bring her to me. I wanted her to disappear. I wanted to disappear. At my lowest points, I thought of swallowing a bottle of pills or jumping out the window of my apartment. I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me that I was suffering from postpartum depression and gave me a prescription for the antidepressant Paxil. I wasn't thrilled to be taking drugs. In fact, I prematurely stopped taking them and had a relapse that almost led me to drive my car into a wall with Rowan in the backseat. But the drugs, along with weekly therapy sessions, are what saved me - and my family. Since writing about my experiences with the disease, I have been approached by many women who have told me their stories and thanked me for opening up about a topic that is often not discussed because of fear, shame or lack of support and information. Experts estimate that one in 10 women suffer, usually in silence, with this treatable disease. We are living in an era of so-called family values, yet because almost all of the postnatal focus is on the baby, mothers are overlooked and left behind to endure what can be very dark times. And comments like those made by Tom Cruise are a disservice to mothers everywhere. To suggest that I was wrong to take drugs to deal with my depression, and that instead I should have taken vitamins and exercised shows an utter lack of understanding about postpartum depression and childbirth in general. If any good can come of Mr. Cruise's ridiculous rant, let's hope that it gives much-needed attention to a serious disease. Perhaps now is the time to call on doctors, particularly obstetricians and pediatricians, to screen for postpartum depression. After all, during the first three months after childbirth, you see a pediatrician at least three times. While pediatricians are trained to take care of children, it would make sense for them to talk with new mothers, ask questions and inform them of the symptoms and treatment should they show signs of postpartum depression. In a strange way, it was comforting to me when my obstetrician told me that my feelings of extreme despair and my suicidal thoughts were directly tied to a biochemical shift in my body. Once we admit that postpartum is a serious medical condition, then the treatment becomes more available and socially acceptable. With a doctor's care, I have since tapered off the medication, but without it, I wouldn't have become the loving parent I am today. So, there you have it. It's not the history of psychiatry, but it is my history, personal and real. Brooke Shields, the author of "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression," isstarring in the musical "Chicago" in London.

07-01-2005, 11:53 AM	#5
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	YOU GO BROOKE!!!!!!!
	__________________ ♥♥♥

07-01-2005, 03:34 PM	#10
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

07-01-2005, 03:59 PM	#11
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,812	I wonder how much time will it take until Brooke just flat out calls the little spaceman a nutcase.
	__________________ Sitcoms Online STARSKY & HUTCH Message Board

07-01-2005, 07:45 PM	#14
Sara Micelli Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,122	Good for her.
	__________________ Formerly popcornperson2002. Some people come into our lives and quickly go.Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never,ever the same-source unknown. "Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as many live because they are afraid to die, as die because they are afraid to live" -Charles Caleb Colton

07-01-2005, 10:24 AM	#2
Mysty Eyes Dreaming... Senior Member Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 1,144	Go Brooke!!!

07-01-2005, 10:31 AM	#3
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Thanks for the post. I am so glad that Brooke has said what she said. Brooke did not have to tell the world about her struggle, and how she wanted to harm herself and her child, but she has done it so that no one else has to go through or feel what she feels. As far as Mr. Cruise is concerned, like Matt Lauer said, what works for Cruise may not work for the next person. Until Tom has a baby and knows what it feels like he should shut his mouth.

07-01-2005, 10:45 AM	#4
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Great Article.

07-01-2005, 12:23 PM	#6
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	i have a new respect for her that I do not have for many people. Go Brooke!

07-01-2005, 12:27 PM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	As much of a dog that Cruise is, I have a feeling that his remarks about Brooke will cause people to buy her new book. He's bringing attention to her.

07-01-2005, 03:34 PM	#9
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Wooo! Take that Tommy boy. owned! Now I know she sat down and wrote this, but I also see that she's much more intelligent than Tom has been in any of interviews, where he trips over his words and repeats the same things over and over again.

07-01-2005, 07:10 PM	#13
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	Brooke Shields is a woman of great integrity and courage.

07-01-2005, 08:41 PM	#15
JDS84 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 11, 2001 Location: My Old Kentucky Home Posts: 3,377	You go Brooke!!
	__________________ Jessica