A Memoir
Shades of
Emotion
The Unraveling of Self in Becoming a Mother
Coming May 2026
Pre-Order Now →
A Memoir
The Unraveling of Self in Becoming a Mother
Coming May 2026
Pre-Order Now →
About the Book
In the spring of 2023, May's world came to a sudden and terrifying halt. Just two months after welcoming her second child, the life she had carefully built began to unravel in ways she never could have anticipated. What followed was a harrowing descent into the most disorienting and isolating landscape of her life — moving through every level of psychiatric care while fighting to find her way back to herself, her children, and the family who needed her.
Written with raw honesty and a uniquely informed eye, this memoir follows a healthcare provider who became the patient — and includes a foreword written by the one person who never left her side. She traces the origins of her struggle from a childhood shaped by cultural identity, perfectionism, and a quiet but persistent fear of unworthiness, through months lost in the abyss, and toward a recovery that cracked her wide open.
This is not only a personal account of postpartum mood disorders. It is a story of identity, resilience, and the profound transformation that can emerge from our greatest suffering. For anyone who has ever felt consumed by darkness and wondered if they would find their way back — May's story is a testament to the enduring power of love, the courage it takes to keep going, and the discovery that life is not black and white, but rich with shades of emotion.
"I was entering an alternate reality with every breath and blink I took — and I truly believed this. With each passing moment, I felt myself being pulled deeper into being 'too far gone.'"
— May Young, Shades of EmotionPre-Order the Book
Shades of Emotion is available in hardcover, paperback, and digital editions. Every purchase supports an independent author and helps bring awareness to the reality of postpartum mental health.
If this book moves you, please consider sharing it with someone who needs it.
"All of a sudden, I discovered a distraction method that allowed me to get my hands on a pair of scissors, fill a jar with water, and create a bouquet based on my mood. I would feel the greenery and petals. I would work with texture, dimension, and color. I don't think I ever allowed myself to sit with those senses before. It was a creative process that had been missing in my life."
— May Young, Shades of EmotionSupport & Resources
Postpartum mood disorders affect 1 in 5 mothers. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know that help exists — and that reaching out is an act of courage, not weakness.
The leading organization dedicated to helping families suffering from postpartum depression, anxiety, and related illness.
postpartum.net →Expert, evidence-based perinatal mental health treatment for mothers, babies, partners, and families — from pregnancy through postpartum.
themotherhoodcenter.com →Connect
Whether you've read the book, are navigating your own postpartum journey, or simply want to share a thought — this space is for you.
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