Abstract
In a culture of increasing access to psychological therapies, Williams, Cantwell and Robertson's workbook on Overcoming Postnatal Depression A Five Areas Approach is a welcome addition to the self-help literature which aims to provide a frontline intervention for the general population, thus easing pressure and access to more targeted interventions for those requiring more intensivist treatment. Williams, Cantwell and Robertson do refer to the fact that improvement in mood is more likely if the workbook is worked through with a ‘co-therapist’; however, the workbook places the reader as the expert and helps nurture the role they themselves have, in bringing about change. Some concern may be levied regarding how likely it is that a person with postnatal depression will be motivated or have sufficient concentration to work through a 380-page manual. However, the workbook is nicely broken down into succinct sections and each section follows a similar framework with lots of repetition of key points, good worked examples, tasks, contact details for further help if required and further online resources. The workbook also ends with a helpful relapse prevention section to future proof any intervention gains.
Williams, Cantwell and Robertson do invite user feedback. Overall, the workbook is a valuable tool for anyone concerned about either themselves or their family/friend having postnatal depression and provides excellent resources to help work through their symptoms. From a professional perspective, there are only a few minor comments. In the section on ‘Understanding why you feel as you do’ there is reference to altered physical symptoms the person may be experiencing, but it may have been helpful to acknowledge that some of these symptoms may be normal reactions following childbirth (wakening up earlier than usual, stopped having sex, constipation, etc.). The terms ‘depressed’ or ‘stressed’ or ‘feel down’ are also used interchangeably, although the title of the workbook is ‘Overcoming Postnatal Depression’. Although the techniques in the workbook are helpful for anyone feeling either depressed, stressed or generally feeling down, it may not be helpful for the reader to think they have clinical depression if they are in fact subclinical. Another caveat would be the general advice that avoidance of activities can make you feel worse whereas avoidance, like denial, may in fact be a helpful short-term coping strategy. An area for further development in any future editions would be the section on ‘Relating To Your Baby’ within the ‘Building Relationships with Your Baby, Family & Friends’. This section seems underdeveloped in comparison with the breadth and depth of other sections and negates to tailor information and advice to the developmental stage of the baby. It would seem an omission not to develop this section further, since the developing mother-infant relationship is key.