Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #131552 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 242 pages

Synopsis
Hanzak, an elementary school teacher, and her teacher husband looked forward to bringing home their new baby boy to be a family. At first Hanzak assumed the rigors of the birth and its complications, and the needs of her baby, including a brief but serious undiagnosed illness, were the reasons for her emotional distress and uncontrollable behaviors

Customer Reviews

Excellent book
This book was an excellent read. The author explains the journey she has taken from a confident person through severe post natal depression and back. I found this book hard to put down and the author makes you feel you know all that has happened to her and her family through her very detailed accounts. At times the book made me laugh and at other times there were tears in my eyes. A very informative book that is not full of jargon words but clearly explains the realities of living through this illness.

This book saved my life
I bought this book having seen Elaine on television describing her illness. I have suffered from Post Natal Illness with all 3 of my children and am still being treated now.
I thought I was going completely round the twist and thought nobody would understand just how alone I felt. However, once I started reading the book I realised Elaine had suffered Postnatal Psychosis and managed to come through it. If she could come out the other end smiling then I believe I can too.
This book made me feel that I'm not alone in my suffering and that other women are suffering the same as me. I am truly grateful to Elaine for giving such an honest account of what happened to her. It has given me hope for the future which I didn't have before.
In my opinion, every GP, health visitor, mental health worker and midwife should read this book.
I know I've harped on a bit but this book is definitely the reason I haven't given up hope and if I can feel that way then hopefully others can too.

Eyes without sparkle: a journey through postnatal illness
I started the book and found that I could not put it down until I had finished. Elaine Hanzak takes you with her on her downward spiral into severe post natal illness and finally back out of the darkness.
It is so refreshing to read a true account of the terrible effects that this illness can have, in particular the fear that one may harm their own baby. Elaine speaks with an honesty which will be helpfull to fellow sufferers and their families but also to the medical profession in their treatment and care of women who have this illness.
There is also a usefull glossary at the end of the book giving information on support groups and helplines.