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“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.
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.
Aaisha Alvi’s deeply moving, courageous account of post-partum psychosis should be required reading for anyone with a pregnant person in their life. Alvi deftly captures the gravity of this harrowing condition while still rendering the misunderstood, and often misdiagnosed, ailment with tenderness, compassion, and most importantly, hope.
A Mom Like That is a brave and lyrical exploration of motherhood and mental health. In this remarkable book, the unspeakable is spoken and it is as terrifying as it is riveting. This is an important book that pulls you inside the experience of postpartum psychosis and has the potential to open minds about this devastating condition.
A Mom Like That is not only a brave personal narrative, but a bold social commentary. Aaisha Alvi valiantly — and eloquently — offers her harrowing experience of postpartum psychosis in service of those without a voice to do so. Her struggle to receive appropriate care, despite pleading for it, is a profound example of the racial and cultural biases underlying contemporary disparities in maternal mortality. Her story provides a jarring example of how such high-functioning individuals can become so ill, and how isolating the experience can be.
A story of resilience that simultaneously educates the reader … an inspirational addition to the libraries of professionals who work with childbearing women, lay communities, and growing families.
Aaisha Alvi is a postpartum psychosis awareness advocate. She volunteers with various maternal mental health organizations, including Postpartum Support International.
Foreword
Part 1
- 1: What’s Insane?
- 2: A Little Mad
- 3: I’m Possessed
Part 2
- 4: Breathe
- 5: The Scientific Quest
- 6: Playing the Fool
- 7: The Other Woman
- 8: The Intervention
- 9: The F-Word
Part 3
- 10: Attention Grab
- 11: Loopy thoughts
- 12: Cinnabon to the Rescue
- 13: Angel of Death
- 14: Kick the Bastard
- 15: Take Two Advils
- 16: Jump
- 17: Hide the Knives
- 18: Sixth Sense
- 19: The Diva You Are
- 20: My Friend Marilyn
- 21: Is This Your Wife?
- 22: Was I Like This?
Epilogue
Afterword
Acknowledgements
Notes