Brooke Shields ain't no "sissy"

While I like public attention for PPD - and, I don't like Mr. Cruise's approach and delivery and goodness knows he shouldn't have been such an ass about it - I have to agree with him. He was only advocating that the pharmacutical companies don't 'own' the cure for PPD. While Ms. Shields was literally telling mom's to run to the doctor and that breastfeeding was 'trendy' all the while taking money from the formula companies. I think she's dead wrong about both of these issues. I think ignoring the fact that breastfeeding helps reduce the effects of PPD or helps avoid it altogheter is just plain stupid. And while prescriptions are absolutely necessiary for some - they can be downright dangerous for others and again to ignore that is just plain stupid.

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I have to agree with Embalene. The way Tom addressed this issue has opened him up to so much criticism, but he honestly DOES have a point. YES...many women have been helped by prescriptions for PPD, but there are other options out there that are also worth exploring.

I have known people in the past who were able to help their PPD by using vitamins/supplements and becoming more physically active. B-complex vitamins CAN help many women. Isn't something LESS invasive with LESS potential side-effects worth a try before resorting to more serious drugs?

Many times, if a mother stops breastfeeding in order to take PPD drugs, she will become MORE depressed because she didn't want to wean. AND what many mothers (and even some doctors) don't know is that there are PPD drugs out there that are compatible with breastfeeding. Talk to a LLL Leader or an IBCLC before consenting to take any drugs while breastfeeding and make sure that you are getting something that is OK to take while nursing. (For many doctors, they will just tell you to wean instead of doing the research! And they usually look in the PDR, which is NOT the best resource for information reguarding drugs and breastfeeding. The best source for this info is actually Medications and Mother's Milk by Thomas Hale.)

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How either of you can defend Mr. Cruise's attitude on this is beyond me. Yes, there is no one correct answer for anyone, but for him to say what he did is rediculous. It sets us back 20 years!! PPD is very real, especially for those of us who have dealt with Depression most of our lives!! He thinks all PPD can be cured with vitamins and Scientology...Give me a break!!

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Not *ALL* women who suffer from PPD can be helped by vitamins and exercise alone, but *MANY* can.

Unfortunately, I haven't heard *ANY* positive discussion of this alternative treatment since Tom's rant. Everyone got so up in arms about the way that he presented it that the entire notion has been discounted by so many women.

I can't imagine anyone would deny that if they *COULD* be helped by vitamins and exercise, that would be better than pumping their body full of prescription drugs. Isn't exploring *ALL* the options the best way to make an informed decision? But because people don't like Tom and don't like the way he presented his stance, many women have completely written off a very viable option of treatment.

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