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No, but folks around me, particularly my husband, noticed a distinct change in my behavior. I thank God daily that he was the kind of warm and loving man, and so strong, too, to let me talk to him about what I was feeling, how I was reacting, the odd turmoil going on inside me. He bought me a cellphone so I could call him "anytime" I needed to talk, did more than the lion's share of housework and keeping up with the kids, and did everything in his power to help me through it. He burned up sick days and vacation days when my energy was simply depleted. He told me afterwards that if he believed I was ever a threat to the kids, he would have taken them away. It was those many special moments with my kids, loving on them, reading to them, snuggling with them, that got me through.

And the phone calls came in from family and friends almost daily. I realize now they were "checking up" on me, because I was so down in spirits. Friends in the neighborhood also lent a hand, without ever coming out and saying they were lending a hand. When the spell finally broke, people again noticed a distinct change and slowly eased back, letting me take charge of my life once more.

In my opinion, there must have been signs somewhere along the line. Unless you are confronted with some kind of severely traumatic event, the vast majority of people don't move into madness in one giant step.