What Have I Done?
Motherhood, Mental Illness & Me
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:6th May '21
Should be back in stock very soon
Laura Dockrill's What Have I Done? recounts her journey through postpartum psychosis, offering hope and solidarity to struggling new parents.
In What Have I Done?, Laura Dockrill shares her deeply personal journey through the challenges of motherhood, particularly focusing on her battle with postpartum psychosis. After the birth of her son, Laura found herself overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations of being a new mother. As sleep deprivation and anxiety took their toll, she experienced a severe mental health crisis that led to her spending two weeks in a psychiatric ward, separated from her family. Through this harrowing experience, Laura discovered the power of storytelling as a means of healing, allowing her to reconnect with herself and her loved ones.
The narrative is both raw and honest, providing a much-needed perspective on the realities of postnatal mental health. What Have I Done? aims to break the silence surrounding these issues, encouraging new parents to speak out about their struggles and dispelling the myth of the 'perfect mother.' Laura's story is not just about her own recovery; it is a heartfelt message to all who may feel isolated in their experiences, reminding them that they are not alone in their feelings and challenges.
Through her candid reflections, Laura Dockrill hopes to inspire others to seek help and foster a community of support for those facing similar difficulties. What Have I Done? is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of addressing mental health openly and honestly, particularly in the context of motherhood.
Thank you for this book, for shining a light on the darkness of psychosis, an illness that absolutely does happen to people like us. I found this book a balm for my soul, and am grateful to Laura for bravely penning such a beautiful account of an illness that is rarely talked about -- Bryony Gordon
Mind-blowing -- Lemn Sissay
A book for those of us who didn’t have the fairytale. It’s important to know that even though things don’t always go to plan it doesn’t mean you aren’t a superhero or a power mum in your own right. Thank you Laura for making us all feel worthy. A must-read for all of those muddling through. -- Paloma Faith
I saw the end of the world in her eyes. I knew she was in there somewhere but she was being held prisoner by her mind and we were all helpless to it. Sometimes things happen to us which means we can save other people, my own experience with mental health helped save her and now here she is about to save a whole generation of women! -- Adele
A humblingly honest and human war-report from the front lines of mothering, psychosis and recovery: there is no other book like it, and it is so desperately needed. -- Caitlin Moran
ISBN: 9781529112542
Dimensions: 200mm x 130mm x 23mm
Weight: 249g
352 pages