Because I'm Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness and Coming Back from the Brink by Ariane Beeston

4.5 AVERAGE

maddysbookcase's review against another edition

4.5
informative reflective medium-paced

ree333's review against another edition

5.0
challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Ariane articulated her experience with postnatal psychosis beautifully. I related to so many aspects of this memoir, and although it was somewhat triggering I found it helped me understand my own experience with PND and PTSD that little bit more. The content was well researched and I felt like Ariane really considered so many different perspectives for perinatal mental health - not just her own. Please make sure you are in a good place mentally before reading or listening as it is quite emotionally heavy. 
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liscee's profile picture

liscee's review

5.0
challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective

naomisel's review

4.5
challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

callies's review

4.5
dark hopeful medium-paced
thatcarrotgirl's profile picture

thatcarrotgirl's review

4.5
challenging dark funny informative medium-paced
pavedwithbookss's profile picture

pavedwithbookss's review

4.5
emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced
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theverticalbookshelf's review against another edition

5.0
dark hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
This has to be one of the most powerful, raw books I have had the honour of reading. This memoir is Arianne. Arianne as a partner, a sister, a daughter, a mother, a ballerina, an employee, a mental health patient and a stat. 

Postnatal depression is 1 in 7 new mothers. Postnatal psychosis is 1-2 in every 1000 mothers. 600 per year. And not enough is done. Not enough is done to support these women. 

Arianne’s story is hard to read, it’s raw, it breaks my heart, I’m crying, sobbing. Thinking about how this could have been me. Could be anyone and we don’t know. The deep suppression of feeling that new mothers feel. It’s real. It’s the lonely days and nights, the hard time feeding and feeling like you are failing by giving them a bottle (I say fuck the haters & do what works for you; also easier said than done). People offer help but nothing is right. You get angry. You don’t want a coffee, you want a load of washing done. But you don’t really know if that’s true. I have felt all of these feelings. And Arianne felt the deep deep cycle of this psychosis. It’s traumatic. It’s an illness. 

This is a powerful memoir that I recommend to anyone who has been around a new mother. If one little thing from this personal journey can help someone else, it’s a step in the right direction. I see you Arianne and I thank you for reliving this trauma for us. I see your struggle. I’m opening my eyes to see more of you who struggle. There is help. Start with COPE. 

Thank you Arianne - this will forever sit with me.  
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ms_dzt's review against another edition

5.0
This is a beautifully written, raw, and important memoir for anyone who has had a baby. Even if you have not struggled with mental health, the context in which all women in Australia mother, is fundamental to understanding so many of the issues we have in our society. Ariane writes beautifully and honestly, and holds your hand through her struggles and coming out the other side. Thank you