The dangers of motherhood fantasies

Did your expectations of having a newborn match reality? If not, that is totally ok. Clinical psychiatrist Shoshana Bennett, PhD busts the myths about bringing home a newborn baby.
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The dangers of motherhood fantasies

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There are many, many fantasies about new Motherhood. One is when the baby first comes home, to live with us; this is going to be the happiest time in our lives, rather than, this is boot camp. This is hard stuff. A lot of the happier stuff comes later. Another myth is, that breastfeeding is always easy, if you are doing it the right way. Another myth is, my needs don't matter anymore, it's all about the baby. Another myth is, I should be able to handle myself. I shouldn't need any help at all. It's all on my shoulders, and I shouldn't need any help at all. If there are any couple issues, they will disappear. That's another fantasy, as well. Another myth is, that if I'm a good mom, I can always figure out why my baby is crying and help it stop crying. These unrealistic expectations of Motherhood, can lead to depression. One of the first things a good therapist will do, is make sure those myths of Motherhood are thrown out, where they belong.

Did your expectations of having a newborn match reality? If not, that is totally ok. Clinical psychiatrist Shoshana Bennett, PhD busts the myths about bringing home a newborn baby.

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Expert Bio

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Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Clinical Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist

Shoshana Bennett, PhD (“Dr. Shosh”) from the popular DrShosh.com Radio Show is the author of Pregnant on Prozac, Postpartum Depression For Dummies, and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety.  She is also the creator of the new mobile app PPD Gone.  National TV shows including  20/20, Discovery Channel, The Doctors and The Ricki Lake Show feature Dr. Shosh as the pregnancy and postpartum mood expert and news stations such as CNN consult her. Several publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News have written articles on Dr. Shosh’s work.  She’s interviewed regularly on national radio and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Boston Globe, Fit Pregnancy, Glamour, Parenting, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, and the Chicago Tribune. 

Dr. Shosh is a pioneer in the field.  She is a survivor of two life-threatening postpartum depressions. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, and is a former president of Postpartum Support International. Dr. Shosh helped develop the official Postpartum Support International training curriculum for professionals which is now considered the gold standard in the field. She has helped over 19,000 women worldwide through individual consultations, support groups and wellness seminars.  As a noted guest lecturer and keynote speaker, she travels throughout the US and abroad, training medical and mental health professionals to assess and treat postpartum depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. She earned three teaching credentials, two masters degrees, a PhD and is licensed as a clinical psychologist.

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