What's the main focus of 'Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression'?

The book is centered around recognizing and overcoming postpartum depression, with a focus on personal stories, step-by-step methods, and expert advice.

Is the book suitable for new moms and their loved ones?

Absolutely! The book is written with new moms and their loved ones in mind, offering valuable insights and support during a challenging time.

What sets this book apart from other resources on postpartum depression?

Krasilnikova's personal story, engaging writing, and comprehensive coverage of postpartum depression make this book a standout in the field.

Can I read the book online or download it for free?

Yes, you can read the book online through Yandex Books or Stranka, or find free downloads through various websites.

Where can I buy the paperback version of the book?

You can find the paperback version at 'Chitaigori', order it through Ozone, WB, or 'Subscription publications', or purchase it on Avito for 300 rubles.

Is the book available in other formats?

Yes, the book is available in soft cover, with a total of 228 pages.

What's the author's background and expertise?

Ksenia Krasilnikova is a well-respected expert in the field of postpartum depression, with a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges involved.

Is the book suitable for readers who are struggling with postpartum depression?

Yes, the book is written with readers who are struggling with postpartum depression in mind, offering hope, support, and practical advice for overcoming these challenges.

Cracking the Code on Postpartum Depression: A Must-Read Book

Hello everyone!

I wanted to dedicate this review to a book that deals with a super tough topic - postpartum depression. I found out about the book online, and I immediately ordered it - no regrets whatsoever!

I hope my review will be helpful for pregnant women, new moms, and their loved ones.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"Title: "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

Author: Ksenia Krasilnikova

Year of release: 2019

Publisher: INDIVIDUUM PRINT

Book cover type: soft cover

Number of pages: 228

Where to buy?

The paperback version can be found in "Chitaigori", ordered through Ozone, WB, and "Subscription publications". I bought the paperback for 300 rubles on Avito.

In Yandex Books and Stranka, you can read the book online, find websites for free book downloads.

There's also an audiobook where the narrator is the author herself. You can listen to the audio format on Litres, for example.

Despite the availability of the paperback version, I read the book in electronic format.

Book appearance

The cover is super bright, almost overwhelming. My eyes get tired quickly. The acidic pink and turquoise colors make it hard to process the information on the cover.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"I don't know who came up with these colors. To me, they're completely unsuccessful. By the way, the book cover design from the 2022 edition of the publisher (a later release) is already in subdued and pleasing colors.

Why I bought it?

I'm not typically a fan of buying books like this, as I don't enjoy indulging in self-reflection - it only makes me feel more miserable. But this time was different!

The title caught my attention. I think every new mom in the first year of their child's life can say that they're Not just tired. At that time, I needed to figure out if I was depressed, how to control myself, and what it means to experience a rollercoaster of emotions in the first time after giving birth, when "it all hits you".

I wanted a real account from a woman who's struggling, without any sugarcoating or idealized motherhood. I needed answers to questions like: Finding the strength to get through each day. How not to fall into depression, and can it be prevented? If you start to notice signs, what to do and how to explain it to loved ones?

I bought the paperback version, but I was reading the e-book. As soon as my little one saw the bright blue object in my hands, he'd zoom in to take it away, and I couldn't even read a page!

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"I was reading the e-book at night when my little one was asleep. That's what I was doing.

The author of the book, Ksenia Krasilnikova, doesn't have a background in psychology or medicine. She's a philologist, translator, and PR specialist. But most importantly, she's a woman who went through postpartum depression and wants to help other women overcome this terrible state.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"I initially thought, that this book would be about emotions, a new mom's confession who found herself in postpartum depression and overcame it step by step. I was expecting to read something that would help me understand myself and feel relieved: there wasn't a single thing that resonated with me. But the book turned out to be more than just a story of overcoming.

Ksenia took the theoretical part seriously, exploring the scientific basis, and consulted with practicing psychologists and doctors as experts.

This book was written with the help of experts: psychiatrist and psychotherapist Anastasia Fedorova (who also became the scientific editor), reproductive psychologist Marina Yuminova, psychologist Vera Yakupova, Doula Daria Utikina, child psychologist Alena Legostaeva, journalist Elena Borovaya, and psychiatrist Artem Gilev

In addition, she relied on over 80 authoritative Russian and foreign sources in her book. Thanks to this, I learned a lot about medication therapy, paid and free options for help with postpartum depression, effective psychotherapeutic approaches, and much more.

The book is well-structured, and you can get familiar with the Table of Contents at the beginning.

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression" How to recognize postpartum depression?

This is the most crucial question that's been on my mind.

How do I distinguish it from just fatigue and baby blues? How not to harm the baby? The author clearly and concisely describes the signs of postpartum depression.

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"Moreover, she provides a self-assessment questionnaire of 10 points, known as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (which I'd never heard of before, but it's apparently very popular), that clearly gives you an answer - are you in a critical state right now, and how close are you to it?

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"In total, I scored 12 points - baby blues. Another point, and it would've been a potential threat of depression. The scale, thanks to this book, became a real find for me.

No one is immune to postpartum depression, not even a woman from a well-off family. The author is from a loving family, where the child was planned and long-awaited. But at some point, she started having intrusive thoughts about suicide.

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

K.Krasilynikova "Not just tired. Recognizing and overcoming postpartum depression"It's scary that you can lose control over your state and harm the baby.

The most important thing is to clearly understand that as soon as you notice something's off, you immediately tell your loved ones about it.

The hardest part of postpartum depression, in my opinion, is admitting to yourself that you're struggling and getting your loved ones to listen. It's like being completely alone in this state.

I think it's really great that the author addressed this issue by speaking directly to the relatives of the woman going through it, explaining what's happening and how they can help.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. Recognizing and overcoming postpartum depression"

During the early stages of motherhood, when I was hit with what's called "baby blues," I found it really tough to cope. I could cry a lot, get lost in my actions, feel powerless, and like a bad mom. Physically, I felt like I was suffocating.

I'd often hear from close family and friends, "What did you want?" "Everyone went through this!" "It was tougher back then." "You'll forget about it in a year." "Some people even had triplets!" But what I really wanted was some genuine support.

Honestly, I have no idea how someone in postpartum depression (which is way worse than baby blues) would find the strength to convince their loved ones that they're struggling. And on top of that, they'd still have to take care of the baby and household chores.

It's like if my skin broke out in a rash or my arm fell off – it'd be obvious. But depression is invisible, and many uneducated people tend to deny it.

Ksenia Krasilnikova made this situation easier by providing specific conversation models for these tough talks.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. Recognizing and overcoming postpartum depression"

I really appreciated how the book showed the heroine's story not only from her perspective but also from her husband's, mom's, and sister's. It's crucial because postpartum depression is not just a personal issue, but a family problem.

I had to be alone with the baby for almost three months while my wife was in the hospital. Sometimes relatives would visit, but overall, I spent 100% of my time with him. The baby wasn't bringing me joy – he had colic, slept poorly. But I tried to be as gentle as possible with my wife and didn't share the tough moments with the baby. If I had to describe my feelings, it was mostly responsibility. I didn't feel scared, although I expected to. Love, attachment, and concern appeared after responsibility, and when I was left alone with the baby, these feelings intensified. (Daniil, 30 years old, husband)

I have to admit, I was taken aback by the author's honesty. It's not every day you come across a book that tackles a sensitive topic like postpartum depression head-on.

The author shares her own story, but she also brings in the experiences of other women who've gone through the same thing, along with comments from a psychologist. One particular monologue really stuck with me – it was about a young mom who lost it and choked her helpless baby with a pillow. I had trouble sleeping for a few nights after that, and I had some pretty disturbing dreams. I'm going to save that passage for when I need to remind myself of the importance of seeking help.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

I was initially shocked – I thought it was too graphic for young mothers like me. But then I realized that every woman needs to understand where her feelings can lead. Depression often sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you're in a really bad place. And while you're denying the obvious and afraid to ask for help, your baby is in grave danger. So, author, thank you for being so honest.

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be Honesty. The author doesn't try to sensationalize the topic or promise a magic solution. Instead, she tells it like it is – about the difficulties of recovery, including the daily struggles she faced while in a psychiatric hospital for several months.

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

The author doesn't promise a magic pill for recovery – instead, she warns that the road to healing will be tough. And throughout that journey, you can't afford to lose touch with your baby, who needs you just as much as you need them. It's a difficult path, but it's the only way to go.

In the end, the author talks about what postpartum recovery should look like in a healthy society. I agree with her 100% – after giving birth, a mother needs just as much support as her baby. It's essential!

K.Krasilnikova "Not just tired. How to recognize and overcome postpartum depression"

In this book, I highlighted the following positives:

I was really impressed with how clearly structured the book is, tackling the most important questions about postpartum depression in a concise way.

The fact that it's available in various formats for reading is a huge plus.

The book shows different types of postpartum depression with expert commentary, which is super helpful.

There are dedicated chapters for loved ones of someone who's going through it, which I think is really thoughtful.

What I love is that there's no hype – the author's genuine desire to help shines through.

The empathy is endless, which is exactly what loved ones need.

One thing I'd mention as a minus is the cover design and soft cover are a bit of a letdown for me. I'm a hardcover fan, but it's a tiny complaint.

Of course, I'd definitely recommend this book to women planning a pregnancy, pregnant women, new moms, and their loved ones – they really need your support and help!

That's all for now! Take care of yourselves and each other 🤗🤗🤗

Thanks for reading, and see you soon!