I now understand the cause of my moods. This book explains how the human brain's ability to "feel" is solely determined by our actions. Our mood is created through neurochemically transmitted food, exersice and thought. Take the time to read this book, you will understand how valuable it is when you finish. This is at least, a must read and at most, a necessary, weekly reference guide.

This book is highly "opinionated" in its information for people who are painfully suffering from the disease of depression. This first made me wonder what the author's goal of this book is. Then as I read along, I sensed a hungry urge of "profit" from the author. Of course there's nothing wrong to want to profit because we all need to make a living, but when I hit the end of the book, BAM!... a questionaire is offered to be filled out and mailed for analyzing if you want more information on how to treat your illness depending on if you are a Satiation type or Arousal type suffering from depression. All of this for a swell price... you are required to pay by check or credit card. As a person suffering from severe depression this book was an insult. I've read many precious books regarding this field and I'm always thankful to their authors but reading this one felt like a slap in the face. It's unfortunate.

Helpful tips for modifying the brain chemicals that induce depression. Useful for those of use with slight ot moderate chemical imbalances.

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.)