Postpartum Depression
The case against Andrea Yates, accused of drowning her five
young children, is disturbing and horrible. Despite what you may
think of Andrea Yates or the tragic circumstances surrounding
the death of her children, her postpartum depression (PPD)
defense will either serve to enlighten more people to the
devastating affects of PPD or throw the study of this very real
mental illness into the dark ages. While many doctors and
psychologists have made great strides in understanding PPD and
helping its victims, these same doctors and mental health
professionals worry that bad publicity and ridicule could
destroy PPD