‘Both riveting and informative, this is an unflinching look at what it is like from inside postpartum psychosis. Writing with insight and compassion, Beeston weaves in research on perinatal mental health and society's attitudes to motherhood alongside her own (impossible) determination to be the perfect mother.’ ––Anne Buist, Professor of Women’s Mental Health, University of Melbourne, and co-author with Graeme Simsion of The Glass House
‘Ariane Beeston's honesty, poetry and wisdom will save lives. This book is a vital contribution to a reality of some motherhoods that is so often overlooked in favour of stigma, shame and misunderstanding. With insights like Beeston's, we stand some chance of shifting the conversation around psychosis and recovery.’ ––Anna Spargo-Ryan, author of A Kind of Magic
‘Blistering, beautiful, true: Ariane Beeston exposes the myth of new motherhood as a loved-up dream, revealing how the transition to motherhood is sometimes a perilous one, and love for our babies hard-won. Written with a careful brilliance, it makes a case against secrecy and shame, and advocates for honesty, empathy and love.’ ––Susan Johnson, author of From Where I Fell and Aphrodite's Breath
‘A memoir like no other … Beeston manages the rare trick of making complex ideas about mental health and its absence comprehensible to lay readers, as well as making this dark time sing with mordant humour on the page.’ —Geordie Williamson, The Australian
‘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 so honestly, and holds your hand through her struggles and coming out the other side.’ —Daisy Turnbull
'This book is for anyone who has had a baby and felt not quite right, or for family and friends desperate to help but not knowing how. It is also for the health professionals who care for them ... This is brave and vulnerable and raw and a much needed story of hope.' —Kylie Orr, author of Someone Else's Child
'The writing is so evocative, her voice both true and unique. I’ve laughed and cried, and been shocked by how poorly perinatal health is understood in this country ... I feel this book deep in my bones, especially the dark humour.' —Carly-Jay Metcalfe, author of Breath
'This book is smart, important and unflinching. It stands on the cliff and dives off with one brave breath. Ariane Beeston gives voice to what many women experience at varying levels and in doing so will make others feel less alone.' —Megan Rogers, author of The Heart Is a Star
'...a book that could be lifesaving when it falls into the right hands.' —Emily Westmoreland, Books+Publishing
‘[O]ne of the most moving books I've read in the past year.’ —Tim Douglas, The Weekend Australian
‘For a memoir with such a heavy subject, Beeston approaches it with kindness and candidness, as well as necessary humour without sugarcoating the truth of postpartum psychosis.’ —Madison Burland, Honi Soit
‘This is a fine piece of writing, a brutally honest work that speaks to the experience of early motherhood in a way that will chime with readers who have found recognition or solace in books like Nicola Redhouse’s Unlike the Heart or Jessica Friedman’s Things That Helped.’ —Alison Huber, Readings
‘Ariane Beeston smashes the romantic myth of motherhood in her memoir Because I’m Not Myself, You See. In 20 short, gripping, sad and moving chapters, Beeston explains her frightening experience of postpartum psychosis and depressive illness as a new young mother.’ —Catharine Coleborne, The Conversation
‘Ariane Beeston’s Because I’m Not Myself, You See is an honest chronicle of her journey of motherhood and postnatal psychosis recovery as a psychologist and child protection worker. Reflections, poetry and expert research.’ —Nicole Economos, Sydney Morning Herald
‘Ariane Beeston’s excoriating memoir explores postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis with a clear-eyed and unflinching gaze. [...] Beeston’s measured prose renders her story chilling, necessary and unforgettable.’ —Heidi Maier, The Big Issue
'courageous [ ... ] this closely focused account of Beeston’s experience includes her sense of having failed as a mother, with the purpose of raising awareness.'—Felicity Plunkett, The Saturday Paper
‘This biography shows mothers who may be suffering, or their loved ones, that recovery from severe perinatal mental illness is possible – and that life on the other side can be full of purpose and joy.’ —Rama Gaind, PSNews
‘This new memoir of one woman’s journey through hell and back is an amazing read for anyone, regardless of whether they have experienced the birth of a child or not.’ — Editor, Child Mags
‘Because I’m Not Myself, You See by Ariane Beeston is a heartbreaking, unputdownable story of Ariane’s experience with perinatal psychosis.’ —Sophie Beer, Author and Illustrator
‘Beeston is a frank and charming writer and has produced a revelatory book – it’s not a stretch to imagine it may even save lives.’ —The Guardian
‘Rage, bleak humour and love continually contend for the upper hand in this unflinching, often raw portrait of a mother in flames who cautiously rebuilds a new, stronger self.’ —Steven Caroll, The Saturday Age
‘Funny, candid and fascinating … An advice-filled must-read for anyone struggling with early mumhood (and their supporters)’ — Rachel Sharp, Sunday Herald Sun
‘A lionhearted, defiant act of poetic expression’ —Mascara Literary Review
‘Because I’m Not Myself, You See breaks ground by offering a rare portrait of postpartum psychosis along with an insider’s view of child removal practices.’ –Jenny Hedley, Griffith Review
‘This book is necessary, and it’s wonderful.’ —‘Best Nonfiction of 2024’ Readings
