There is no such thing as mental illness or really any disease.  Just do exactly as I say.
354567
I read this book from cover to cover and it is a sham!  At the end of the book, he gives his website where you can buy his "special vitamins" for like $200.  Are you kidding me?  There is no such thing as anxiety, depression, or autism, only disregulated symptoms that need his supplements.  This book simply capitalizes on the billion dollar supplement industry, which is unregulated by the FDA.  If you really believe his nonsense, you have never suffered from a debilitating physical or mental disorder.  Oh that's the problem, I have been eating too many potatoes.  I simply need more Kava Kava, Taurine (which is in Redbull), and GABA.  Dr. Hyman you have cured every disease, amazing!
2163319
Finally a book that settles the matter of what a Christian should think about depression. I've always had trouble arriving at a firm conviction as there is so much conflicting information making the rounds. Charles Hodges is both a doctor and a Christian and has carefully researched the subject in this volume published by Shepherd Press.

Don't panic. Whatever he has to say, he says compassionately. Still, he demands that the subject be looked at both from the point of verifiable medical fact and the Bible. What could be more fair?

He discusses what we have probably all noticed-an amazing number of people now have a diagnosis of having depression. He explains how a so-called "chemical imbalance" in the brain is a theory that has never been proven at any level. He further explains that diseases that have legitimate diagnosis capabilities have a clear pathology (structural and functional cellular changes) that you can see. In depression, or a chemical imbalance, there is no such pathology.

There are, however, several ailments that have mood changes as a symptom and he suggests you check these out if you think you are depressed. (He lists them in an appendix). If this is not the case, then likely you are sad. He beautifully shows how our Creator made sadness as an emotion in us to deal with life and drive us to God. Though we may not respond properly, it can help us. Unfortunately, "depression" as a medical diagnosis can be a label that short circuits the process our Creator designed. We quit seeking-we stop at our label instead of the arms of our God.

He tackles the issue of so many not only having this diagnosis, but being prescribed anti-depressants as well. Beyond having their own side effects and dangers, these medicines have little success according to studies. Placebos (sugar pills) and no medicine at all have better results in patients!

He takes Bible characters like Hannah and shows how they would have gotten a "depression" diagnosis. Their real problem was normal sadness and in being driven to God they got real relief. He really puts the Bible to good uses in later chapters!

The last few chapters tackles Bipolar Disorder. It used to be called Manic Depression. He proves it is a rare but real disorder. There are now a wave of people getting a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. This is because they came up with Bipolar Disorder II that has a weak criteria that really can't be verified and now we are giving away a false label and hurting people in the process.

He writes in a way that we can all understand. If you want to know what I think on the subject of depression now, just read this book. As individuals who will have sadness, worse moods and feel depressed, this book is a real help. Were it fall to us to help someone we think acts depressed this book is an indispensable guide. I give it the highest recommendation.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
2605216
One of the most important documentaries ever made.  This information puts the solution to mental disorders of all kinds within reach of us all, and all without medication of any kind.  All mental disorders such as PTSD, ADD, ADHD, co-dependency, brain retardation, stroke damage, compulsive behavior, and more, can be managed and nearly eliminated through the brains ability to create new neurons that support normal, healthy thinking.
3612612
This about sums up the book for me.  I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing Mr. Early speak at Grand Rounds at Western State Hospital in VA.  Mr. Early spoke to a large room filled with hundreds of psychologists, psychiatrists, direct care staff and academicians. His presentation was empowering, energizing and thoughtful.  His overall message was one that was informative.  Mr. Early told the story of his son's unfortunate decent into mental illness, specifically Bi-polar disorder, with an overall message of how completely destroyed the mental health system is.

As I work daily in a state hospital I see the misfortunes of this sick, ill-treated, ostracized population.  Mr. Early provides a picture that is consistent with my own belief.  America has shut down most of its state hospitals.  The public is ignorant and fearful of this poor population.  With nowhere to go, we are left to send these persons to jails and prisons...criminalized and without treatment.  Early informs readers of the criminalization of the mentally ill with a tone of reform.  His book serves to tell the story of his own struggle in trying to get his son treatment with a broader purpose of reform.

Mr. Early is our times Dorthea Dix, without a doubt.  He serves as a voice, a powerful one, for reform of America's mental health system.  These persons need not be "treated" in jail but in a hospital.  America has come full circle in a short amount of time.  We were once without hospitals in America and abused and mistreated this population, then we built asylums, then they were closed.  Mentally ill were "deinstitutionalized" thanks to drugs, and state and federal laws.  Forgotten and further abused is more correct.  Many know that deinstitutionalization failed before it started.  America's mental health system is broken.  We need hospitals again...yes in 2007, but let us learn this time from the mistakes of the last asylum boom so we do not repeat them again.

Mr. Early did a wonderful job researching for this book and it shows in the writing.  The book is very knowledgeable, thought provoking, understanding and caring.  I recommend it for all, patients, families, staff, clinical staff, academicians, and the compassionate.

These persons did not ask to be sick and mentally ill.  "It could happen to any of us."
1773395
Great information for supporting a healthy lifestyle.... also for healing an unhealthy lifestyle.  The writing may seem a little informal sometimes, but I think the information makes sense and I've taken most of the information to incorporate into my life.  My general health is good, no medications, no allergies, sleep well, better mood, normal weight, etc. I think this information is beneficial to everyone.
1901213
I loved this book simply because it puts me in the mindset of a mentally sick person. They want nothing but to be accepted just like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with you until society tells you that you are different. When in reality we are all a bit mad. Anyone that would like to read about a people living in a terrible place and how our actions affect other people would love this book.
2438629
While the numerous authors of this book do not publish any credentials, the book is endorsed by Aaron T. Beck. M.D.  Presumably, their expertise is based on technical study and experience.  This is reasonable, in my opinion, because cognitive behavior therapy seems to be really more of an art than a science.

The authors focus a lot on de-stigmatizing mental illness.  In fact, they have written this book especially for persons with mental illness - who suffer anything from stress disorders to schizophrenia - and for their caregivers.  After all, even schizophrenia is just another illness that can be treated with medication and cognitive behavior therapy.

The book is full of case histories and examples of how to deal with specific problems - such as hearing voices.  Medication management, both pills and injections are also well covered.  Even advise for using the book to assist professional and other caregivers, helping to keep them straight and steady.

Thoughts, behavior, and feelings are discussed in very practical ways, as is venerability and cognition. The nature of emotional events causing the blocking of cognition and other problems are thoroughly discussed (some even diagrammed).

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone suffering from mental health problems, lay persons who take care of someone afflicted with mental illness, and people who just want to know how to handle difficult people.
2968735
I thought the idea of empathizing with the person with the mental illness is the best approach.  The person with a mental illness has very little insight into their illness although it is very obvious to those around him.  Asking why the person doesn't think he needs to be in  the hospital or why the person was able to maintain as job this time(possibly because he was taking his meds at the time) leads the person himself to become aware of his own illness. Why would the person who has a mental illness agree to treatment if doesn't see any problem.  You or I would probably respond the same.
4391908
i like how the author says we need to continue to be in motion. I think in our modern society, many people forget the importance of exercise or going outside to enjoy nature for a bit. Many people abuse their bodies without realizing it and it gives rise to many health problems in later years.
It doesn't take a lot to start a healthy lifestyle. The author makes it really simple to start of with an hour a day and gradually choosing more healthy foods to put on our plate.
2821428
Our health boils down to our mental, physical and nutrient state of being.  In How to to Be Healthy and Have More Energy, author Kevin Kerr addresses the importance of each and how to improve on each of those in in our daily life.  I found the section on exercise very interesting - no need to be a gym rat to be physically healthy and I learned something new too, about grounding/earthing and inverting.

On reading this book I realize that it really is simple to be healthy and have more energy, we just need to know of and be aware of how to optimize our mental, physical and nutrient state of being.  Good info.  Nice approach. Valuable read.
1238592
This sure put my mind at ease that this 'god awful' disease can be controlled. I am 75 yrs old so I know of what I speak....READ READ READ people.
1946911
Insightful book about mental illness and how to handle the loved ones in your life who may have any illnesses with compassion, discernment and understanding.  So many people in our country with mental illness have no resources or people to care for them, they are completely misunderstood, and have no language to expression their needs, nor the capacity to express, even if they have the words.
3544234
Anyone with a family member who is seriously mentally ill should read this book. You might already be familiar with some of it because you live it, but Mr. Jaffe gives a clear and compelling argument for what is wrong with our system of "care" in America for someone with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia. My brother suffered through 30+ years of mediocre non-care, till his untimely death at age 48. My family tried, unsuccessfully, to get him better care. This book explains how the system is stacked against people like my brother and my family. Those who are most seriously ill need potentially months and months of in-patient care to get them onto the road to equanimity. Mr. Jaffe's book should be in our hands when we petition our lawmakers to end the IMD exclusion, stop wasting tax dollars on care for the "worried well" and treat people with brain disorders in hospitals and out-patient care centers, not prisons.
Thank you, DJ, for writing a great book.
4525413
Americans are naive about their health care system.  The system is not here to make people healthy. On the contrary, it is designed to treat sick people because that is where the money is.  Hospitals, for example, make huge sums doing open heart surgery, heart transplants and other surgical procedures. Yet heart disease is preventable and reversible.  No one should die of cardiovascular disease in America.  No one should ever reach the point where they need a stent or other surgical procedure.  But our doctors are neither trained nor motivated to work with a patient to stop and reverse the disease.  There is no money to be made doing this.  The few doctors who do are like attorneys who represent the indigent.  They are motivated by ethics; they want to do the right thing; they may not become rich.  So, if you want to be among the healthy and avoid degenerative disease, see this profound film.  I was so impressed I purchased 11 copies and am giving the film to friends and family.
1664647
I am neither an expert in criminal law or mental health, but I definitely believe everyone who is interested in the mental health crisis in our country should read this book. The authors clearly define the difference in definitions of mental illness in criminal law and the psychiatry, and consequently, mental illness is more often criminalized in our society today. The problem is that because the criminal law definition is limiting, people with mental illness are being incarcerated rather than being appropriately treated. The book explains how the lack of funding for proper psychiatric help is a problem. The book reports the numbers of persons with severe mental illness who are incarcerated are far great than those who are being given appropriate treatment. I liked the book because statements were substantiated with clear concise facts in a way that a lay person can understand. The book is very readable.
1329469
"I am sane, intelligent, and self-respecting." Another reviewer wrote these words. Yes! I relate, having been misdiagnosed too. Honestly, we have to diagnose ourselves. If I trace back, I find that my physcial health began to decline when I was 14, and my mental health declined from age 20 on. My story might be different from yours, but my personal responsibility to FOLLOW MY INSTINCTS is very much the same. I have chosen to treat my symptoms naturally with True Hope (google it). I had precious little family support in my decision... until it started working, that is!

I have suffered tremendously from antidepressant side effects that have come back 7 years after taking my last pill, and often triggered by things like taking vitamins, getting exercise, or losing weight. Here's a simple test anyone can do to find out what side effect is coming from psychiatric drugs: drink a protein shake like weight trainers do. The body eliminates the drugs on the protein in your digestive tract. I have had days that protein every two hours was all that kept me from shaking like a leaf from the drugs releasing into my system. If I hadn't known what was going on I would have thought I was losing my mind. If you're on psych drugs currently it COULD INTERFERE with their function, but after you go off them as described in this book or under the care of a doctor, protein is a life saver.

I wish every doctor who said "your symptoms are coming back," would have patients drink a protein shake there in the office, wait 15 minutes, and then re-evaluate. Symptoms??? Or SIDE EFFECTS!

It is worth pointing out that the side effect list  for a given drug is often similar to the symptom list -- google your drug name and "side effect" to read up. Side effects like depression, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, digestive problems...)

Today I'm healthier than I have been since I was in high school. Information is power!
3400979
As ayoung man, (1967)I worked as an Orderly in a hosp and did work on a Psych ward, many people in our America need this care and attention.  They are not "bugs" but some little thing can be skewed.