Natural Prozac: Learning to Release Your Body's Own Anti-Depressants

by Joel C. Robertson

Book Overview

'THE DRUG-FREE ALTERNATIVE TO ENDING DEPRESSION

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"Depressed people cannot simply 'cheer up.' They suffer from a chemical imbalance in their central nervous system that is the source of their depression. Fortunately, balance can be restored, and that is the aim of this book...I will demonstrate how common behaviours can either maintain a brain-chemical imbalance and thus sustain depression or be used to balance our brain chemicals in...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062513540
• ISBN13: 9780062513540
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible!

I have had problems with depression for as long as I can remember, and have been on and off medication for about a decade now. I started doing some research on the long-term effects of these anti-depressants, as well as their continued effectiveness (or lack thereof). When I came across this book, I took a chance when buying it because I was a little bit leery of trying to cure this thing myself. It just seemed like it was out of my hands. Not only did this book point out the major factors and triggers of depression, but also explained it from different perspectives. I was never clear on the biochemical definition of depression, nor did I ever have any idea that my (bad) diet was contributing. The doctor is very understanding and is not completely against taking medication, though at the same time he offers a plan that does not require medication. He states that over time, being medicated for years and years is not always a good thing for the body. I am now at half the dosage of Zoloft that I was taking and still feel great. I have changed my eating habits and exercise quite a bit, and when I do go off the wagon and eat junk food (i.e. fast food, cookies, etc.) I feel the difference and feel myself going back into that slump. I have a hope that after being completely off of the medication that I can still maintain a positive attitude towards life without symptoms of depression. He does point out that you cannot get over depression if you do not try to change your behavior and lifestyle because everything you do, say, eat, and think affects the balance of your neurotransmitters. I have learned a lot from this book and it all makes perfect sense to me. I hope others can benefit from it, as well.

First real hope I've had in years

As someone who has battled severe depression since late childhood, has a strong family history of depression/suicide, has read a lot on this subject, has seen a couple therapists, has tried several anti-depressants (60mg of Prozac right now is keeping me afloat but not improving), etc., my thoughts on this book are:1) The theory behind this book dovetails with everything else I've read and experienced (not just about depression but about how behavior, diet, exercise, sleep, etc. impact metahormones and various aspects of health) and is argued persuasively. 2) The information is not just for people with mild depression; it applies even moreso to those of us who are severely depressed and therefore need to look deeper and work harder on the underlying issues that affect our brain chemistry and mood. 3) This book actually gave me hope, after almost 5 years of struggling against a major episode, including periods of not having the motivation to get out of bed or even to call someone to talk about it. It's the first book I have ever read that I could say that about, and I've read at least a dozen on depression. 4) The reason it gave me hope is two-fold: * I recognized myself utterly in his profile of the "satiation-depressed" personality down to the last detail, which gives me confidence he knows whereof he speaks, and * He supplies practical information on how to impact your brain chemistry over time--just as prolonged stress/trauma may have adjusted it to depressive chemistry--whether you're taking medication or not.This is not a fad program, a money-making scheme, or bogus science. There is a test at the end of the book that you can submit for analysis for a fee, but it would only be necessary if you have a very unusual, intractable problem. Reading the book will give you a clear idea what the issues are, where you fall on the continuum, and a clear, detailed plan for change.For example: You probably already know that exercise can improve your mood. But Dr. Robertson tells you what kind of exercise for how long for how often will boost which neurotransmitters--after he's helped you see which ones specifically need to be raised or lowered in your particular case.Some people may take offense to being categorized, but that doesn't change whether the categorization is accurate or not. If you really have depression and you really want to change that, you can't afford not to read this book. Also highly recommended for family & friends trying to understand why personality, etc. is so affected in depressed people.If this book speaks to you, you will also want to read BEYOND PROZAC, which covers more theory and more options, based soundly on experimental test data (e.g. exactly how to use light therapy effectively, detail on the impact & use of negative ions, etc.)

A ray of hope for those suffering from depression.

I have suffered from depression for 30 years. I have been through therapy and have been on and off antidepressants for all those years. Whenever I attempt to "go off" medication, I end up depressed again and feeling defeated. I had given up hope of ever getting off medication until I read Dr. Robertson's book.I always thought that there must be a connection between what I ate and my depression but none of my therapists and doctors ever suggested anything other than talking and taking medication. Also, I am a Psychiatriac Nurse and work in a mental hospital. I see firsthand what drugs can and cannot do and also the serious side effects of those drugs. Drugs and talk therapy can control symptoms in most people, but they do not cure. You stop the drugs, the symptoms return. Dr. Robertson is saying is that WE CAN BE CURED OF DEPRESSION through a program of diet, exercise, behavior modification, music, and the acitvities we choose! I have never heard a doctor say that before. After reading Dr. Robertson's book, I am filled with hope. In layman's terms, he describes how what we eat does contribute to our depression and also our own behaviors. He also goes into the different types of personalities, basically Type A and Type B, Arousal Type and Satiate Type. I am definatly type B.Please read this book if you are depressed or if someone you love is depressed. You will not regret it.I am making a serious effort to follow his guidelines. I have stopped smoking, I do some type of exercise every day, and I am changing my diet. I feel great. I am going to follow these guidelines for 2 months and then go see my doctor and talk with him about tapering me off my medication.I would love to talk with others who have read this book and found it as helpful as I have or who tried and were not successful.

Well Worth Considering

We're often inclined to look to medication to solve most health problems, including depression. While Robertson doesn't deny the value of the newer antidepressant drugs, he points out the side effects many experience on them, then suggests that natural mood boosters are worth considering to fight depression. For example, he notes that complex carbohydrates naturally raise brain serotonin levels and feelings of well being. The complex carbs are superior in maintaining brain levels of serotonin more so than simple sugars (a candy bar, for example), because the complex carbs have long chains of amino acids that take longer to break down in the body, and thus provide a steadier stream of "feel good" nourishment. He promotes exercise and sunshine as a way to feel better. I have tried many of his suggestions and feel he is on the right track. Even if you are already taking an antidepressant, you will likely find his suggestions helpful in beating depression. It's hard not to feel uplifted while on a walk on a sunny day, listening to a song that moves you, or eating food that truly nourishes you. Robertson reminds us not to ignore including these into our lives as mood boosters. He asserts that over time, these better patterns of eating and living will change your brain chemistry as surely as a drug.It's especially significant that he notes, in plain language, that sometimes sluggish depressed people may need dopamine (dopamine increases feelings of power), and overanxious depressed people may need more serotonin boosters. The book is basically about natural sources of each.This book is a far cut above many "self help" books.

"A definite read for depressed people and their families"

I have been looking for information on ways to defeat depression other then medications and this book has been by far the most informative I have been able to find and understand how our bodies deal with depression, chemically and psychologically. It has opened up new hope in how I can help my wife with her own depression and that there is another way in treating the effects and causes of depression. Can't wait to put this information into PROGRESS!