Beyond Prozac
by Michael J. Norden, MD

Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0060391510

Ask anyone who's in treatment for depression what the cause of his or her illness is, and you'll probably get the response "serotonin." Beyond that, many of us depressives have little understanding of just what this mysterious little molecule really is or how it controls mood. If you're looking for the answer to the serotonin riddle, then Beyond Prozac by psychiatrist Michael Norden is the book for you.

Norden divides his book into three sections. In Part I, he elucidates the serotonin/mood link in terms that the layperson can easily grasp. In Part II, he discusses a variety of natural serotonin boosters and how they can help our "stone age" brain cope with the stresses of modern life. In Part III, he wraps everything up with a discussion of the newest medical serotonin boosters such as the SSRIs and other newer medications as well as what's on the drawing board for future depression treatments. As an added bonus, three Appendices are included. These are a discussion of the relationship of serotonin to aggression, a discussion of older medications for depression, and a list of contacts for further information. Finally, for the scholarly, there is a lengthy list of references at the back.

Beyond Prozac is a book I first read back in 1995 when I was initially diagnosed. What I personally enjoyed about this book is the fact that it explained why I was depressed in easily understood terms and helped me to understand that depression is not something to be ashamed of. This is a book I would highly recommend for those new to treatment. I would also recommend this as a gift to give to loved ones who are struggling to understand the biological basis of your illness.

Another aspect of the book I found particularly useful was the section about natural serotonin boosters. I would recommend this to those who are looking to try a non-medical approach to treating their depression. For many, these combined with Cognitive Therapy may be all that is needed to cope with a stressful world. If stronger measures are needed, however, this book gives an expert view of the newest drugs with the utmost attention paid to, you guessed it, Prozac.

All in all, this is a book well worth the read if you're at all interested in understanding your depression and taking an active role in controlling it. I highly recommend it.

Nancy Schimelpfening, your Guide for Depression