Brooke Shields

Brooke Christa Camille Shields (born May 31, 1965 in New York City, New York, USA) is an American actress. She achieved early fame as a child actress, and by her teens was one of the most photographed and recognized models in the world. She attended Princeton University from 1983 to 1987, graduating with a degree in French literature.

Postpartum depression

In the spring of 2005, Brooke Shields spoke to magazines and appeared on Oprah to publicize her battle with postpartum depression, an experience that included depression, thoughts of suicide, disturbing thoughts, an inability to respond to her baby's needs, and delayed bonding. The illness may have been triggered by a traumatic labour and delivery, the death of Shields' father three weeks earlier, stress from in vitro fertilisation, a miscarriage, and a family history of depression, not to mention the hormones and life changes brought on by child birth. Her book, Down Came the Rain, discusses her experience. The title draws from the baby song Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Related Topics:
Postpartum depression - In vitro fertilisation - Itsy Bitsy Spider

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In May 2005 former co-star Tom Cruise, a Scientologist whose religion maintains that vitamins in combination with Scientology auditing can cure depression and many other illnesses, criticized Shields for using as well as speaking in favor of the drug Paxil. Cruise also said, "Here is a woman, and I care about Brooke Shields because I think she is an incredibly talented woman, you look at (and think), where has her career gone?" At the time, Shields was starring in a London revival of the musical "Chicago" (and receiving rave reviews for her performance as Roxie Hart). Shields responded that Cruise's statements about anti-depressants were "irresponsible" and "dangerous." She said he should "stick to fighting aliens" (ostensibly a reference to Cruise's starring role in War of the Worlds, but also to Scientology doctrine and teachings), and let mothers decide the best way to treat postpartum depression. Shields responded to a further attack by Tom Cruise in an essay published in The New York Times on July 1, 2005.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/opinion/01shields.html?hp

Related Topics:
May 2005 - Tom Cruise - Scientologist - Auditing - Paxil - Chicago - War of the Worlds - Scientology doctrine and teachings - The New York Times

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Several celebrities spoke out in support of Brooke. At least two went through postpartum depression themselves. Marie Osmond suffered a very severe bout in 1999. Carnie Wilson went through postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter in April 2005. Carnie was able to get through her bout with psychotherapy and did not need to use pharmaceuticals.

Related Topics:
Marie Osmond - Carnie Wilson

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