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Blue Genes: Breaking Free from the Chemical Imbalances That Affect Your Moods, Your Mind, Your Life, and Your Love Ones
You can break free!
Depression. Loneliness. A.D.H.D. Paranoia. Bipolar Disorder. Insomnia. Substance Abuse. Panic Attacks.
If your world has been turned upside down by these common emotional and behavioral problems, discover a book filled with practical advice, accessible information, real-life stories, acceptance, and hope.
Unfortunately, many who suffer brain chemistry disorders believe they would be healed if they just had enough faith--that it's wrong to use drugs to treat their problems.
In this book, respected mental health specialists bring sanity to the topic. They give readers permission and the necessary knowledge about genetics, environment, diet, fitness, and spirituality to pursue proper medical care for themselves and their family members, when they suffer from maladies caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.
You can break through in most situations, and live a more fulfilling, effective life.
Depression. Loneliness. A.D.H.D. Paranoia. Bipolar Disorder. Insomnia. Substance Abuse. Panic Attacks.
If your world has been turned upside down by these common emotional and behavioral problems, discover a book filled with practical advice, accessible information, real-life stories, acceptance, and hope.
Unfortunately, many who suffer brain chemistry disorders believe they would be healed if they just had enough faith--that it's wrong to use drugs to treat their problems.
In this book, respected mental health specialists bring sanity to the topic. They give readers permission and the necessary knowledge about genetics, environment, diet, fitness, and spirituality to pursue proper medical care for themselves and their family members, when they suffer from maladies caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.
You can break through in most situations, and live a more fulfilling, effective life.
210 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2005
27 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Paul D. Meier
97 books14 followersExtract of DR. Paul Meier's biography on the website of the Meier Clinics:
Paul Meier is an MD/Psychiatrist/Ordained Minister who is the founder of the national chain of non-profit Christian psychiatry clinics, the Meier Clinics. He has authored or co-authored over 80 books, mostly Christian self-help books like Love is a Choice and Happiness is a Choice, and also a series of Bible Prophecy novels, including The Third Millennium.
Paul Meier is an MD/Psychiatrist/Ordained Minister who is the founder of the national chain of non-profit Christian psychiatry clinics, the Meier Clinics. He has authored or co-authored over 80 books, mostly Christian self-help books like Love is a Choice and Happiness is a Choice, and also a series of Bible Prophecy novels, including The Third Millennium.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2022
As a believer struggling with mental illness, I was grateful for a book which simply summarizes some of the causes/genetics of mental illness and the benefits of medication + faith.
May 16, 2010
Contains suggestions of medication regimes used for various depressive disorders at the Minirth Mieir Clinic. Although it only devotes a small section to each disorder, the information, I'd suggest is very useful.
February 13, 2013
There was some interesting information, but 1/5 of the book seemed to be "my clinic is so great" and 1/5 was Christian proselytizing. Given that I was able to gloss over 40% of the book, it was a fairly quick read.
February 18, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BLUE GENES (CHRISTIAN LIVING/ PRACTICAL LIFE/ PSYCHOLOGICAL)
[DEPRESSION. ANXIETY. LONELINESS. ADHD. PARANOIA. BIPOLAR DISORDER. INSOMIA. SUBSTANCE ABUSE. PANIC ATTACKS.]
I don’t read books about Psychology that discuss Mental Health issues. But this book is an exception. It elicited my interest the same way when I viewed Psychological videos of content creators educating netizens about self-care and mental wellness like coach Lyqa, Rhian, and Doc Ali who had an educational background in Psychology.
My pseudo-intellectual attempt to understand human behavior started in 2013 when I watched the live-action Japanese Manga titled Liar Game. This TV Series exposed the participants who are dealing with their awful experiences, and trauma affecting their cognitive and psychomotor domain, leading them to choose between good and bad while playing the Liar Game they participated in.
Having said what I talked about, now. Let me discuss Blue Genes.
The title was creatively catchy. It hooked the book nerd in me in the most addicting sense. Yes, it was addicting for me who voraciously devoured scientific terms. I can’t help but annotate and highlight every sentence I found quotable.
Honestly, it was my first time reading a mental health book with biblical context. I avoided this kind of reading since it was written by one of the believers of Christ named Paul Meier. I have this cliché statement that most people in Churches who confer psychological difficulty were imposing certain individuals who suffered from depression had a lack of faith, beliefs, and prayers which are the most banal misconception and most erroneous belief about people with psychosocial disability.
Even though I like the word content of Blue Genes; I almost stopped reading this book due to my prejudices against Christianity. Don’t get me wrong, huh? I am speaking based on what I’d experienced from relatives and people of churches who judge their co-believers that were suffering mentally.
However, a certain line from page 11 led me to do otherwise. “People who criticize others the most for taking medicines for the brain are people who have the most brain chemical deficiencies themselves.”
It all made sense.
“The same kind of people today say similar foolish things to people who suffer depression.”
Aside from these quotations that hit me, unusually; I deeply empathized with the testimony of several people who had therapy and took medication at Meier’s clinic.
Saying it was relatable to my personal experience was an understatement. Yes, I underwent Psychiatric treatment and am still taking prescriptions for the chemical imbalance inside my brain due to bipolar affective disorder, manic episodes; psychotic symptoms.
Almost all of my questions about self-oppression were answered by the holistic approach of the book. I recommend Blue Genes to everyone who’s dealing with a psychosocial disability like me.
The myth about Mental Health was clearly debunked by Paul Meier. I encourage people without psychosocial disabilities to read this book. Although it was not applicable in the case of someone who had no “blue genes” deficiency; it was still helpful for you if you’re dealing with people who had one.
The explanation behind the book titled Blue Genes was very creative and scientifically witty at the same time. In addition, you can acquire higher chances of understanding many who suffer from brain chemistry disorders. Also, you can easily deal with them like how you treat people who suffer physical health problems.
Once you read this book, you will eventually understand the reason behind you being happy most of the time and others being lonely all their life due to depression.
In conclusion, loneliness is not a choice for why you feel that way; especially if it consumes you. It’s not only about the environment you are currently in. Not only on your reactions toward something that made you feel lonely.
Hereditary has a big factor in you feeling miserably depressed and it was your blue genes. I’m neither Psychologist nor have a background in Psychology, but upon reading the book; I will try to give people the benefit of the doubt regarding their behavior.
I will pursue the learning of understanding myself better, first. In return, I am sure that I will be capable of understanding others regardless if they’re okay or psychologically messed up like me.
4.4/5
BLUE GENES (CHRISTIAN LIVING/ PRACTICAL LIFE/ PSYCHOLOGICAL)
[DEPRESSION. ANXIETY. LONELINESS. ADHD. PARANOIA. BIPOLAR DISORDER. INSOMIA. SUBSTANCE ABUSE. PANIC ATTACKS.]
I don’t read books about Psychology that discuss Mental Health issues. But this book is an exception. It elicited my interest the same way when I viewed Psychological videos of content creators educating netizens about self-care and mental wellness like coach Lyqa, Rhian, and Doc Ali who had an educational background in Psychology.
My pseudo-intellectual attempt to understand human behavior started in 2013 when I watched the live-action Japanese Manga titled Liar Game. This TV Series exposed the participants who are dealing with their awful experiences, and trauma affecting their cognitive and psychomotor domain, leading them to choose between good and bad while playing the Liar Game they participated in.
Having said what I talked about, now. Let me discuss Blue Genes.
The title was creatively catchy. It hooked the book nerd in me in the most addicting sense. Yes, it was addicting for me who voraciously devoured scientific terms. I can’t help but annotate and highlight every sentence I found quotable.
Honestly, it was my first time reading a mental health book with biblical context. I avoided this kind of reading since it was written by one of the believers of Christ named Paul Meier. I have this cliché statement that most people in Churches who confer psychological difficulty were imposing certain individuals who suffered from depression had a lack of faith, beliefs, and prayers which are the most banal misconception and most erroneous belief about people with psychosocial disability.
Even though I like the word content of Blue Genes; I almost stopped reading this book due to my prejudices against Christianity. Don’t get me wrong, huh? I am speaking based on what I’d experienced from relatives and people of churches who judge their co-believers that were suffering mentally.
However, a certain line from page 11 led me to do otherwise. “People who criticize others the most for taking medicines for the brain are people who have the most brain chemical deficiencies themselves.”
It all made sense.
“The same kind of people today say similar foolish things to people who suffer depression.”
Aside from these quotations that hit me, unusually; I deeply empathized with the testimony of several people who had therapy and took medication at Meier’s clinic.
Saying it was relatable to my personal experience was an understatement. Yes, I underwent Psychiatric treatment and am still taking prescriptions for the chemical imbalance inside my brain due to bipolar affective disorder, manic episodes; psychotic symptoms.
Almost all of my questions about self-oppression were answered by the holistic approach of the book. I recommend Blue Genes to everyone who’s dealing with a psychosocial disability like me.
The myth about Mental Health was clearly debunked by Paul Meier. I encourage people without psychosocial disabilities to read this book. Although it was not applicable in the case of someone who had no “blue genes” deficiency; it was still helpful for you if you’re dealing with people who had one.
The explanation behind the book titled Blue Genes was very creative and scientifically witty at the same time. In addition, you can acquire higher chances of understanding many who suffer from brain chemistry disorders. Also, you can easily deal with them like how you treat people who suffer physical health problems.
Once you read this book, you will eventually understand the reason behind you being happy most of the time and others being lonely all their life due to depression.
In conclusion, loneliness is not a choice for why you feel that way; especially if it consumes you. It’s not only about the environment you are currently in. Not only on your reactions toward something that made you feel lonely.
Hereditary has a big factor in you feeling miserably depressed and it was your blue genes. I’m neither Psychologist nor have a background in Psychology, but upon reading the book; I will try to give people the benefit of the doubt regarding their behavior.
I will pursue the learning of understanding myself better, first. In return, I am sure that I will be capable of understanding others regardless if they’re okay or psychologically messed up like me.
4.4/5
May 7, 2017
A very helpful book that gives insight into 'blue genes' in a very easy to read and understandable way. I'm sure this book would be an asset on any person's bookshelf.
January 15, 2024
Incredibly informational. Will read again.
July 17, 2024
I would recommend to everyone to read and learn.
December 2, 2008
My old college buddy Todd Clements wrote this one. He's a big-time psychiatrist now. I actually got a lot out of this book. Todd put the cookies on the bottom shelf for us uninformed laymen. His main message is that psychological problems such as depression and bipolar disorder are physiological in nature and can be treated with medicine. That's a great, life-giving message that effectively removes the unfair stigma attached to such disorders. Great book.
June 6, 2013
A good, short, easy read about mental illness and methods of treating it. I especially liked the inclusion of an entire chapter on low seratonin and how it affects your emotions. This is the first book I've read that specifically address low seratonin as a life long and genetically linked condition. Loved having a Christian outlook as well, if you suffer with mental illness or know someone who does, you need God!
November 10, 2008
Interesting subtitle; sounds like a how-to book. No one seemed to "break free" of the family curse of depression. It seemed to me that the secrecy surrounding the suicides and the abandonment the boys suffered when their mother killed herself could have been a reason for the "bad moods" of her two sons.
January 4, 2009
Interesting.
April 27, 2012
Love the book! Love the Author! I am so grateful to my friend Tammy who suggested it to me. It changed my life.
July 19, 2012
This book helped to change my perspective on depression and mental health.
March 23, 2014
Skipped through some relevant parts for myself... very insightful. Though, a warning to others, it has personal stories in there which might be triggering to some.
March 10, 2016
One of the most insightful books I have read! It was an easy read that explained a lot of different facets of mental illness. Definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews