In a message dated 1/31/1999 2:07:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
 Johanna:  Also...there's no LLL group in her area (we are the nearest one).

 Just 2 weeks ago in Roseburg, Oregon a mom of 13 day old twins drive off a
 cliff leaving a suicide note.  Her family, clergy and neighbors knew she
 was having a tough time, but no one saw this coming.


Chris and Johanna,
Last year we had a mother of 3 month old twins in my area, come home from
work, enter the house, the baby sitter and her husband were both home, get the
gun, go into the bathroom and shoot herself!  The whole town was in shock.
She was NOT breastfeeding.  She had rented a pump from me for a few weeks but
all the contact we had was through the husband and her mother.  The same was
true when we called to check to see if the pump was working properly and offer
our services and support.
Post partum psychosis is very real and scary.  I don't think anybody can know
exactly what is going on inside another persons head.  People who know this
family all say no one saw it coming.  The mom was a very competent
professional, back to work, had support, had money, then . . . . . .  the most
horrible thing that anyone could imagine happens.
If anyone knows distinct warning signs, please tell us.
Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA