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A Mom Like That

A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

"A brave and lyrical exploration of motherhood and mental health ... as terrifying as it is riveting." — Susannah Cahalan, NYT bestselling author of Brain on Fire
Early motherhood is supposed to be joyous, but for Aaisha Alvi, those early days were ruined by terrifying, delusional thoughts about her baby and family. Far beyond the trials of breastfeeding and getting her baby to sleep, Aaisha's experience was the antithesis of everything she had ever been told about motherhood.
When her second pregnancy ended in miscarriage, Aaisha's psychosis returned. This time, however, she was blindsided by the unimaginable: voices urging her to stab her daughter and to harm innocent people. Aaisha felt evil, worthy of taking her own life. But each time she sought medical help, she was turned away.
With unflinching honesty, Aaisha takes readers beyond the vitriol and blame flung at women — particularly women of colour — suffering from postpartum psychosis. Her story is a clarion call to increase awareness of a condition that need never result in tragedy and to build support for those affected by it.

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    • Library Journal

      August 1, 2024

      In this poignant book, Alvi, an advocate for maternal mental health care, chronicles her two experiences with postpartum psychosis. This raw memoir contains frank discussions about the ideation of dying by suicide and harming others. Alvi shows that people with postpartum psychosis are often misdiagnosed--especially people of color--and given the wrong medications and treatment plans. Alvi she experienced this herself, even after many doctor visits. She asserts that her healing was hindered and delayed by societal norms; as an Indian and Muslim woman living in the United States, she faced many health care obstacles due to bias. Alvi also describes how she helped a friend through postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis often leads to tragic outcomes, but Alvi argues that it doesn't have to. Finally, she issues a call to action to medical professionals to improve postpartum mental health care. VERDICT This moving and heartbreaking memoir is a compelling tale about a woman who experienced postpartum psychosis twice. As a result, she calls for increased awareness about the condition and advocates for treating it like the medical emergency that it is.

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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  • English

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