Nothing matters more to a mother than her children's well-being. But unrecognized, untreated depression in mothers puts millions of children at risk for lifelong emotional, cognitive, and physical problems. Compared to a child of non-depressed parents, a child of someone who is depressed is six times more likely to develop depression and much more likely to develop ADD, hyperactivity, drug and alcohol abuse, or behavioral problems. In plain language, Sheffield identifies signs of depression and alerts parents to signals that their illness is having negative effects on their children.

Exploring the entire spectrum of issues -- including postpartum depression, the special social issues facing adolescents, what adult children of depressed mothers can do to combat their special legacy, and fathers' needs and responsibilities -- Sorrow's Web also includes an essential chapter that guides readers through the maze of medication and psychotherapy.