The Ghost in the House Motherhood, Raising Children, and Struggling with Depression by Tracy Thompson ISBN-10: 0060843799 ISBN-13: 9780060843793 $24.95 Hardcover HarperCollins Publishers An award-winning reporter for the Washington Post, Tracy Thompson was 34 when she was hospitalized and put on suicide watch during a major depressive episode. This event, the culmination of more than 20 years of silent suffering, became the point of departure for an in-depth, groundbreaking book on depression and her struggle with the disease. The Beast shattered stereotypes and inspired countless readers to confront their own battles with mental illness. Having written that book, and having found the security of a happy marriage, Thompson assumed that she had learned to manage her illness. But when she took on one of the most emotionally demanding jobs of all--motherhood--depression returned with fresh vengeance.

The Ghost in the House, the result of Thompson's extensive studies, is the first book to address maternal depression as a lifelong illness that can have profound ramifications for mother and child. A striking blend of memoir and journalism, here is an invaluable resource for the millions of women who are white-knuckling their way through what should be the most satisfying years of their lives. Thompson offers her readers a concise summary of the cutting-edge research in this field, deftly written prose, and, above all, hope.