Summary:

Overcoming Postnatal Depression uses the trusted Five Areas model of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), helping people experiencing postnatal depression to change how they feel. The Five Areas model helps the reader make key changes using a clear, pragmatic and accessible style, by examining five important aspects of our lives:

- Life situation, relationships, resources and problems
- Altered thinking
- Altered feelings or moods
- Altered physical symptoms or sensations
- Altered behaviour or activity levels

By bringing together specialists in postnatal depression, and with the use of self-help resources, this course addresses all the common challenges faced by women during times of low mood after having a baby. It provides access to the proven CBT approach, helping the reader make positive changes in their life in a planned and achievable way. An additional workbook aimed at friends and relatives describes how they can offer support.

The workbooks also provide an invaluable resource for counsellors, general practitioners, health visitors, nursing staff, midwives, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, self-help groups and other voluntary sector organisations.

A linked and completely free online support course is located at www.livinglifetothefull.com. Additional written, DVD and audio resources are available at www.fiveareas.com.

• The only book to use a CBT approach to postnatal depression
• Based on the specific needs of women with postnatal depression
• Part of the popular and successful 'Overcoming...' series
• Approachable workbooks with memorable cartoon illustrations
• Complementary downloadable materials at www.livinglifetothefull.com

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part 1 Understanding why you feel as you do
Starting out ... and how to keep going if you feel stuck
Understanding why you feel as you do
Part 2 Making changes
Practical problem solving
Being assertive
Building relationships with your baby, family and friends
Information for families and friends - how can you offer the best support?
Doing things that boost how you feel
Using exercise to boost how you feel
Helpful things you do
Unhelpful things you do
Anxiety and avoidance
Noticing and changing extreme and unhelpful thinking
Overcoming sleep problems
Alcohol, drugs and your baby
Understanding and using anti-depressant medication
Planning for the future

About the Author(s):

Dr Chris Williams MBChB BSc MMedSc MD FRCPsych BABCP accredited CBT practitioner, Registered CBT therapist with UKCP
Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Section of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK

Dr Roch Cantwell MBChB BAO FRCPsych
Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow, UK

Karen Robertson RMN, BSc PGDip in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Associate Director of Nursing in Mental Health and Learning Disability, NHS Lanarkshire, and formerly Nurse Consultant, Perinatal Mental Health, Perinatal Mental Health Service, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK