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Depression-free for Life: A Physician's All-Natural, 5-Step Plan
A customized, drug-free program that attacks the biochemical roots of depression -- with a 90% success rate Not all depressions are alike. And despite the attention given to Prozac and other drugs, there quite literally is no magic pill. Instead, writes Dr. Gabriel Cousens, someone who suffers from depression needs a customized, individual program, one that attacks the personal, biochemical roots of the problem. In Depression-Free for Life, Dr. Cousens shows how to heal depression safely by synergistically rebalancing what he calls "the natural drugs of the brain," using a five-step program of mood-boosting substances, vitamin and mineral supplements, and a mood-enhancing diet and lifestyle. Grounded in cutting-edge science, yet accessible and safe, this book shows how to regain your optimism and energy through balancing your own biochemistry. Depression-Free for Life
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2000
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128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 15, 2011
So here’s the deal. I have, for the last several years, have been suffering from clinical depression (also known as Major Depressive Disorder), and it blows. That being said, I am finally able to admit to this without shame, without the feeling that I’m a phony who just needs to suck it up and without feeling that I have to excuse anything about my existence. Why? Because denial isn’t going to get me anywhere. And if it does get me anywhere, it isn’t going to get me better.
Depression Free for Life is a book given to me by my counselor that’s a first step in a direction to manage mood from a more holistic viewpoint, recognizing that it’s a very nuanced illness that happens for numerous different reasons–and often many at once. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., designed this program based on treatments he’d done on people suffering from multiple symptoms that full under the depressed umbrella (which I imagine to be a rather threadbare, half-open umbrella with holes punched in it). He examines the different chemicals in the brain that stimulate pleasure and other positive emotions, and what supplements, amino acids, foods and activities can work to stimulate the under-worked neuro-transmitters. In reading through it, I was able to identify my symptoms, connect these symptoms to causes, and decide which practical and inexpensive actions I could take in order to rectify the situation. It’s all terribly empowering. I’ve never felt so happy reading about depression (and thank goodness for that–it prevents quite and ugly cycle). As of now I haven’t been trying long enough to see if this works, but there are enouch case studies in the text that I’m confident that I will at least show some improvement maybe even within two weeks.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 30 percent of adults suffer from major depression over the course of their lifetime. For one thing, that indicates that many people in our circles are going through a similar struggle as I am. I’m excited to learn that there’s work I can do to improve my quality of life, which according to Dr. Cousens is the “natural birthright that is the ultimate prize”. I hope that other people will brush away shame or denial and do the same thing.
Depression Free for Life is a book given to me by my counselor that’s a first step in a direction to manage mood from a more holistic viewpoint, recognizing that it’s a very nuanced illness that happens for numerous different reasons–and often many at once. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., designed this program based on treatments he’d done on people suffering from multiple symptoms that full under the depressed umbrella (which I imagine to be a rather threadbare, half-open umbrella with holes punched in it). He examines the different chemicals in the brain that stimulate pleasure and other positive emotions, and what supplements, amino acids, foods and activities can work to stimulate the under-worked neuro-transmitters. In reading through it, I was able to identify my symptoms, connect these symptoms to causes, and decide which practical and inexpensive actions I could take in order to rectify the situation. It’s all terribly empowering. I’ve never felt so happy reading about depression (and thank goodness for that–it prevents quite and ugly cycle). As of now I haven’t been trying long enough to see if this works, but there are enouch case studies in the text that I’m confident that I will at least show some improvement maybe even within two weeks.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 30 percent of adults suffer from major depression over the course of their lifetime. For one thing, that indicates that many people in our circles are going through a similar struggle as I am. I’m excited to learn that there’s work I can do to improve my quality of life, which according to Dr. Cousens is the “natural birthright that is the ultimate prize”. I hope that other people will brush away shame or denial and do the same thing.
November 23, 2008
A FANTASTIC resource on different types of depression and nutrition/natural rememdies to combat it. An absolute asset on any natural practioner's bookshelf. Why did it wait so long to come into my hands?
March 4, 2021
This program that Dr. Gabriel Cousens presents in this book apparently works very well. I became interested as I have known some people with clinical depression and my heart just goes out to them. I have also felt down at times. From reading this book, and some of the good doctor's other books, I see that my body~mind can get stuck in a low energy level because of a few factors, including an unbalanced biochemistry of my body. As a psychiatrist who went on to study nutrition and other lifestyle factors that can help us re-balance, Gabriel Cousens has a particular respectability. As someone who has helped 90% of of his clients recover from depression at his wellness center, he may be someone worth studying.
As I have applied these practices recommended in this book, I have found a more vital health. I am lucky enough to have encountered them in other books and seminars earlier in life.
I am also unlucky enough to have had a few mishaps, made a few mistakes, and forgot to live this way. This book, I found again, as I struggled with symptoms of depression. Yep, sure enough, I had lapsed on some of these practices.
As I applied this timely advice, it gave me a huge advantage. It's basic stuff here but oh so helpful.
If you would like to know why the following 5 Step Plan really works and how to do it practically, I would recommend this book.
It starts in Part Two, after Part One discusses "The Challenge of Depression." In that section, we see addressed the "Natural Drugs of the Brain," the "Limits of Anti-depressant Drugs," "Why More Women Than Men Are Depressed" and "Your Personal Biochemistry: The Customized Way to Defeat Depression."
Now, the part that I would like to highlight, review, remember, and recommend:
Five Steps to Becoming Depression-Free for Life
Step One: Take Mood-Boosting Amino Acids
Getting enough of that brain-boosting protein might not happen while eating mostly carbs and snacking on... well, more carbs. Even with well-balanced meals, some of these amino acids may be helpful. This section gets into the details. I have found that simply taking protein powders have helped. Maybe supplementing in specific amino acids could help more.
Step Two: Optimize Your Supplements
I found it interesting that those amino acid supplements were specifically separated and put first. Another person I know helps people just with amino acid supplementation. That may be the first and fastest working solution for many people. However, if that's not enough, there are other supplements discussed here that may address one's deficiencies. Just taking something that works for other people, though, can be an expensive exercise in futility. Getting some good tests done with a clinical nutritionist, registered dietitian or doctor who has had more than one extra-curricular nutrition class may be helpful.
Step Three: Make the Fatty Acids Essential
Okay, so I see: Omega-3s are good for me... and you too.
Of course, there's more to it than that. Some specific types of these are even more helpful.
"Primary essential fatty acid: Alpha linolemic acid (ALA)
Derivatives: ... EPA, DHA." Hey! I read about these a lot in other places, that these were good brain foods! There are supplements for these at every health food store I've been to. And, Costco has some good stuff with these in it too.
"Omega-6s... Primary essential fatty acid: Linoleic acid... Derivatives... (GLA),... (DGLA),... (AA)."
Step Four: Diet for Mental Health
Can you believe it?
When I eat in a sane manner, I may be a more sane man.
Step Five: Eight Lifestyle Choices You Can Make to Help Beat Depression
1. exercise or stay physically active
OK, I'll admit it. I needed someone to put that there to motivate me.
2. stay connected to close friends and family
This has become incredibly more important to me as I have seen so much research, and as I have reflected, recommitted and relaxed some obsessions with work and recreation that had driven me in my earlier life.
3. have a creative outlet
Wow, so those artistic types were not wasting their time after all!
4. cultivate a sense of humor
Now you see why I tried to practice this in this very review.
Improv comedy classes are great mood and relationship boosters!
(Notice he wrote "cultivate a sense of humor" and not 'learn how to be funny'.)
5. breathe right
Does someone really need to tell me how to do this "right"? Well, there are no breathing police here, just some tips that really do help achieve greater health.
6. sleep well
Oh, well... if I get off the computer early enough to sleep, maybe these might help some more too.
7. relax in a mindful manner
Yeah, this daily vacation plan I can enjoy.
8. touch and be touched in a nurturing way
My wife probably appreciates that this workaholic guy has read this book. I appreciate it too.
As I have applied these practices recommended in this book, I have found a more vital health. I am lucky enough to have encountered them in other books and seminars earlier in life.
I am also unlucky enough to have had a few mishaps, made a few mistakes, and forgot to live this way. This book, I found again, as I struggled with symptoms of depression. Yep, sure enough, I had lapsed on some of these practices.
As I applied this timely advice, it gave me a huge advantage. It's basic stuff here but oh so helpful.
If you would like to know why the following 5 Step Plan really works and how to do it practically, I would recommend this book.
It starts in Part Two, after Part One discusses "The Challenge of Depression." In that section, we see addressed the "Natural Drugs of the Brain," the "Limits of Anti-depressant Drugs," "Why More Women Than Men Are Depressed" and "Your Personal Biochemistry: The Customized Way to Defeat Depression."
Now, the part that I would like to highlight, review, remember, and recommend:
Five Steps to Becoming Depression-Free for Life
Step One: Take Mood-Boosting Amino Acids
Getting enough of that brain-boosting protein might not happen while eating mostly carbs and snacking on... well, more carbs. Even with well-balanced meals, some of these amino acids may be helpful. This section gets into the details. I have found that simply taking protein powders have helped. Maybe supplementing in specific amino acids could help more.
Step Two: Optimize Your Supplements
I found it interesting that those amino acid supplements were specifically separated and put first. Another person I know helps people just with amino acid supplementation. That may be the first and fastest working solution for many people. However, if that's not enough, there are other supplements discussed here that may address one's deficiencies. Just taking something that works for other people, though, can be an expensive exercise in futility. Getting some good tests done with a clinical nutritionist, registered dietitian or doctor who has had more than one extra-curricular nutrition class may be helpful.
Step Three: Make the Fatty Acids Essential
Okay, so I see: Omega-3s are good for me... and you too.
Of course, there's more to it than that. Some specific types of these are even more helpful.
"Primary essential fatty acid: Alpha linolemic acid (ALA)
Derivatives: ... EPA, DHA." Hey! I read about these a lot in other places, that these were good brain foods! There are supplements for these at every health food store I've been to. And, Costco has some good stuff with these in it too.
"Omega-6s... Primary essential fatty acid: Linoleic acid... Derivatives... (GLA),... (DGLA),... (AA)."
Step Four: Diet for Mental Health
Can you believe it?
When I eat in a sane manner, I may be a more sane man.
Step Five: Eight Lifestyle Choices You Can Make to Help Beat Depression
1. exercise or stay physically active
OK, I'll admit it. I needed someone to put that there to motivate me.
2. stay connected to close friends and family
This has become incredibly more important to me as I have seen so much research, and as I have reflected, recommitted and relaxed some obsessions with work and recreation that had driven me in my earlier life.
3. have a creative outlet
Wow, so those artistic types were not wasting their time after all!
4. cultivate a sense of humor
Now you see why I tried to practice this in this very review.
Improv comedy classes are great mood and relationship boosters!
(Notice he wrote "cultivate a sense of humor" and not 'learn how to be funny'.)
5. breathe right
Does someone really need to tell me how to do this "right"? Well, there are no breathing police here, just some tips that really do help achieve greater health.
6. sleep well
Oh, well... if I get off the computer early enough to sleep, maybe these might help some more too.
7. relax in a mindful manner
Yeah, this daily vacation plan I can enjoy.
8. touch and be touched in a nurturing way
My wife probably appreciates that this workaholic guy has read this book. I appreciate it too.
March 23, 2013
Does eating yam burgers and taking Siberian ginseng supplements cure depression: probably not. But the "placebo effect" is a powerful and proven phenomenon. People want/need to feel that they're taking control of their maladies, and this book provides a way to do so.
Read
July 31, 2016Clearly did not work for me. Interesting ideas though.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews