Review Detail
Written by Maff July 26, 2007
A comprehensive look at natural antidepressants
For those looking for alternatives to the standard drug and psychotherapy approach to treating depression, this book is a great place to start.
It starts by describing the biochemical dysfunctions that can result in depression including hormonal imbalances, toxicity, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The book then moves on to the various natural solutions to the treatment of depressive illness.
The natural antidepressant therapies are split into distinct categories which makes browsing the book for a particular type of therapy very easy. The categories start with diet and nutritional supplements before moving on to herbal remedies, homeopathy, electromagnetic therapy, exercise, bodywork and sleep solutions, and finally onto a psychotherapy section which includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), meditation, and relaxation techniques.
All of the major antidepressant supplements and herbal remedies are covered including 5-HTP, SAMe, and St. John's Wort. The inclusion of non-invasive therapies such as bright light therapy and electromagnetic devices is fantastic and an area that a lot of books on natural antidepressants sometimes overlook.
The book is very well laid out and the author does a great job of helping the reader to sort through all the options to determine which natural solution(S) might be the most suitable for them personally. Many treatments are accompanied by bullet lists which help readers assess their applicability to their mental health issues.
On a personal note, I suffered from depression and anxiety as part of more extensive environmental illness for many years and tried every type of antidepressant medication going with not a hint of any improvement at all. After trying various natural alternatives including amino acids, herbs, and bright light therapy, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are highly effective and work very quickly indeed.
This book is very comprehensive, covering all the available natural options for treating depression so I would recommend it to all who are looking for effective natural solutions to low mood and depression.
