Reddit reviews The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today
We found 16 Reddit comments about The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
You're not alone. Menstrual problems are extremely common in vegetarians, and so are mental health issues. There's plenty of stories similar to yours over at the WAPF, Let Them Eat Meat, and Beyond Vegetarianism. Personally, I gained a whopping 55lbs, developed B12 deficiency (despite taking 1000mcg of methylcobalamin per day), and ended up with a bunch of other nasty things. I'm proud to say that I've lost all of that weight plus seven pounds. (Who would've known a slice of bambi's mom could be so satisfying?)
So, a lot of people have clearly experienced health problems as a result of a vegn diet. Why does the ADA still insist that a "well-planned vegetarian diet" (a clear oxymoron) is healthy and even beneficial? [Seventh-Day Adventists and vegns have so much influence on the ADA to the point that it's rage-inducing.](http://letthemeatmeat.com/tagged/American-Dietetic-Association)
The Vegetarian Myth, The Mood Cure, The Meat Fix, The Ethical Butcher, The Whole Soy Story, and Defending Beef are all worth giving a read. Were you tested for B12, iron, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, magnesium, and/or iodine deficiency during your vegn years? If you quit recently, it's very likely that you're still deficient in some of these vitamins and will need to supplement for awhile. DHA and EPA are also very important due to how poorly ALA (such as that found in flaxseeds) converts to these essential nutrients.
I was vegan for nearly six years. No cheats. I always had my doubts about it, but getting to learn what other vegns look like was my last call. Just keep in mind that some lifelong meat-eaters will insist that a vegetarian diet is healthier. And some people are really mean.
Some things you can try
From the book The Depression Cure
>6 steps
From the book The Mood Cure
You can get more specifics on all of these by reading those books.
Julia Ross talks about this very thing in her book, The Mood Cure.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0142003646/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419597190&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
I'm not done reading it yet, but it's motivated me to go nearly 100% primal/paleo. Every single time I cheat I feel it. I sleep like crap and feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster.
Sometimes I miss my former ignorance. But now, it's mostly just not worth it to cheat.
I've thumbed through this book below. Tryptophan is a necessary amino acid. GABA is made by the body. They sound promising for helping alcoholism, anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle tone, and more. This book talks about taking them for the short term, fixing imbalances while you eat a better diet.
http://www.amazon.com/Mood-Cure-4-Step-Program-Emotions-Today/dp/0142003646/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250631535&sr=1-12
TL;DR: food/brain/mood interaction and dopamine info may be relevant
I agree that the possibility of diet playing a role is a good thing to consider. I was suffering pretty dramatic shifts for many years that my husband and some doctors suggested was bipolar (similar to what you describe but without the anger/lashing out). Eating differently turned out to be the key to finally getting free of that (discussed in this thread).
Vitamin D and iodine are other good topic to explore, in addition to omega-3 which other's have already mentioned. The books "The UltraMind Solution" and "The Mood Cure" have interesting things to say on the topic diet/brain/mood interactions.
Another good topic to explore is dopamine. What you describe sounds very consistent with dopamine levels perhaps being too low during the "depressed" times, too high during the "happy" times, and more than usually affected by the sorts of events which cause it to slew downward.
I wrote a blog post about dopamine that might be helpful. I tried to summarize and link to some of what I found about how dopamine status affects and is affected by various factors.
Edit: grammar repair
This book called : “The Mood Cure”.
It’s a guide using nutrition to help aid depression/anxiety. I was not eating enough protein... moodcurebookamazon
Hey, thanks for all your useful info! There's a world of supplements out there. My biggest advice to anyone interested is to research. Check out /r/Supplements/ and /r/nootropics.
Something to keep in mind is that some supplements build a tolerance (like L-Tryptophan and L-Tyrosine), so I found that it worked really well in the beginning and then it started to lose its effect once regularly dosing. Furthermore, I stress research again because trying to manually balance your brain is difficult. If anyone is interested in trying to improve their mood with supplements, I've heard good things about a book called The Mood Cure, so you might want to check it out (I haven't read it).
Personally if my diet, sleep and exercise are in check, I feel fantastic. So I don't really see a need for them and just take a multivitamin. If I'm having a shitty day I might pop some L-Tyrosine. Thanks again man!
Just wanted to tell you you are not alone. Alot of us understand what you are going through. I've realized that I have alot of my own anxiety issues and trying to help an addicted loved one exacerbates it further of course. My loved one tries to medicate his anxiety/PTSD with alcohol. However, I also have maladaptive coping mechanisms too. Alls to say, I started to research how I can help alleviate my anxiety/stress through nutrition/exercise etc, and found a wealth of information regarding biochemical repair. Alot of the "dry drunk" syndrome can yes be, the fact the person has issues they need to address, ideally in therapy, but also, sometimes it's partially due to a lack of nutritional support/repair after they stop drinking. As we know, alcohol does so much damage to a person's mind/body, and continues to affect long after the substance is gone. The following are resources I found for myself and my loved one that goes more in-depth about biochemical repair as it pertains to anyone suffering with anxiety, stress, mood, and addictive behaviors.
I'm not trying to trivialize or say a vitamin will cure things, just wanted to bring up a nutritional/medical reason why some people present with these mood behavior issues, especially AFTER ceasing drinking. These books give solid advice/guidance that can benefit anyone.
Goal is to keep prioritizing our own health/well-being. You deserve all the health, happiness, and love that you seek OP. Sending you a hug!
Seven Weeks To Sobriety: The Proven Program To Fight Alcoholism Through Nutrition By Joan Larson, Ph.D., Director of Health Recovery Center
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0449002594/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nnRhDbBC9H82M
The Mood Cure by Julia Ross, M.A.
The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0142003646/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FpRhDb3QM6TBM
The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve your Mood, and End Cravings, by Trudy Scott,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572249250/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ssRhDb246CCEF
“Biohack Boozing: Your Complete Guide,” By Dr. Zandra Palma of Parsley Health Functional Medicine Practice
https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/biohack-your-boozing/
Fit-Recovery Website: Biochemical Repair/”Drinking Sucks” Book by Chris Scott
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvFjmm07ax1YrrFCiWkNAMg
https://fit-recovery.com/
Dr. Mendelson with Ria Health
Www.riahealth.com
Heal Thyself: A Doctor at the Peak of His Medical Career, Destroyed by Alcohol -- and the Personal Miracle That Brought Him Back, by Olivier Ameisen, M.D. French Cardiologist Who Discovered Baclofen For His Own Alcohol Dependence, Also known as “The End of My Addiction.”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374532206/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cxRhDbRJVETD9
Huh, didn't know there was a list. It is a real book, wish the name wasn't so dismissible: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mood-Cure-Program-Emotions-Today/dp/0142003646
Its based on amino acid supplementation. If cost is an issue, fyi amino acid costs can add up. That said, I found it very informative and very helpful.
I give this advice with this caution- I have depression, not anxiety, and I'm not completely "healed" and I would say my depression is moderate to severe. Although the book I'm going to recommend does say it has suggestions for anxiety, I myself cannot attest to the effectiveness of those suggestions.
Try looking into the book The Mood Cure. It has some information about changing your diet and using amino acid supplements instead of western drugs.
I took Zoloft for about 9 months. I did just Zoloft and counseling for six months, then a friend recommended this book. I started changing my diet (I eat a lot of turkey sandwiches and other mood power foods when I feel myself getting dark) and adding supplements slowly in. I had to go on antibiotics about 3 months later (so when I hit month 9 of Zoloft) and decided to go off the meds and rely on the counseling, diet, supplements and exercise as treatment. It's been six months now and I'm doing well.
But, like anything else, it took adjusting. The first few months I wasn't always aware when a dark spell was coming, so I did have a few depressive spells. Because my spells tend to be lethargic, maybe a lot more time in bed, but I'm not suicidal and am relatively functional, it was a risk I could afford. The last three months I've really found myself catching my triggers and treating myself with diet or exercise changes, or a supplement like GABA or 5-HTP when I feel like I need a bit more help.
I didn't have a problem with Zoloft- I wanted off of it because I gained 20 pounds while on it. And I'm trying to just "reset" my body. So, I think it's worth a read to at least see if it might work for you. As with anything, there are a lot of lofty claims in the book, take it with a grain of salt. But, for me, because I kept up with the counseling, both individual and group, worked some CBT, made daily exercise my prescription and work toward changing my diet- this book helped in compliment of all those other things. I would never suggest someone use the book as their only source, though.
Exercise and sunlight can work wonders! (And Vitamin D if you can't get outside.)
OP, you may want to check out 'The Mood Cure' by Julia Ross. Excellent advice regarding neurotransmitter imbalances and how these can be corrected through diet and simple amino acid supplements. Sometimes it really is just about chemistry.
Good luck!
Could try 5htp - I take a boatload of supplements that is one of them it helps with all the post PMO feels. My supplement therapy is taken from a book called The Mood Cure. It might help http://www.amazon.com/The-Mood-Cure-Program-Emotions-Today/dp/0142003646
I had TERRIBLE PMDD. You described exactly how I was 3 weeks out of every month. The pill helped the cramping, but ultimately I think it caused the PMDD by screwing up my hormonal cycle. I now work with a neurochemical nutritional therapist, who has been a LIFESAVER (literally, cuz I was suicidal). She's put me on a diet of 120g protein per day, progesterone cream 15 days before my period to help hormone levels, and about $70/month worth of herbal/vitamin/mineral supplements. I HAPPILY spend the money because it helps so noticeably. I still have more "ups and downs" about a week before my period (like, my dog being super cute might make me slightly teary in joy), but no more suicidal/depressive thoughts.
There's a book on it (LINK TO THE MOOD CURE on amazon), but I found that I couldn't figure it out on my own with the book. The therapist did a series of quick tests and took quick action that made me feel WAY better.
Good luck. I know what you're going through is brutal. You're gonna get through this.
Sooo I'll preface this by saying that I shamelessly crib my vitamin/supplement regimen from my mom, and do little-to-none of the reading she suggests. But, as someone prone to anxiety & depression who (due to a separate chronic health condition) can't do prescription psychotropics, she's pretty exhaustively well-informed. Based on what I've retained of her advice, here are some additional mood impacters you might wanna look into:
-Ashwaganda: Taken at night. I didn't feel it did much for me, but my mom swears by it.
-GABA: Here's a specific lozenge formulation that I really like for acute anxiety. It also has L-Tyrosine, which I've never taken separately, but she does.
-L-Theanine: Taken in the morning, as like D3 it boosts energy. I do find it makes a difference for me.
-L-Tryptophan: Huge upgrade over melatonin for both of us. Melatonin gives me sleep paralysis, weird dreams and a sort of druggy hangover afterwards. Tryptophan has none of those downsides (tho of course YMMV) and has a mildly positive effect on my mood/general sense of wellbeing the following day.
-SAMe
-5HTP
-St. John's Wort can work wonders but be very cautious with it. Basically research, introduce and monitor it with the care you would a new prescription medication.
There's a book you might find helpful called The Mood Cure that discusses all of this in depth. Have I read more than 10-20 pages of it? No. But IIRC those 10-20 pages were pretty user-friendly and my mother the expert consistently refers back to it, so I'm recommending it anyway. Good luck!
Edit: Wort not wart.
Oh man, that makes me super nervous about my next cycle! I'm on Cymbalta which helps a ton for fibro, but my docs refuse to prescribe any narcotics. So if its bad (which I'm afraid it will be) I'm going to have to hope the Tramadol will handle it.
I actually have a friend who has fibro and a lot of hormone issues (not Endo or PCOS like I have, but her cycles are awful too) and said reading this book explained a lot about how her hormones might be messing with or causing her Fibro. She can't take Cymbalta or Lyrica (or the Gabawhatever other one) because of bad side effects so she's trying to do more homeopathic treatments and its working well for her. Anyways, I haven't read it yet but might be something to look into. Also, there is a suspicion that a lot of fibro might be caused by progesterone, but I'd recommend doing some research and reading things like this before trying anything on your own!
I have the same problem. The most painful part is being in a terrible mood and struggling to be nice to people around you.
How much sugar do you eat during the day? While some people would suggest carrying around fruit and carby snacks, for me that didn't work. What did work was removing all sugar, juices, refined carbs, and wheat from my diet... almost no exceptions... while increasing my intake of vegetables and meat.
For me it was breaking my addiction to sugar and carbs. I'd have to consume more and more to stay in a good mood, and it just made my mood that much more unstable. I remember drooling about the thought of a coke at lunch, and waking up after eating tons of cookies before bed and wanting to kill everything.
If you want to give this a try I'd start off with a fast to make things easier. Worked for me with cigarettes and sugar.
edit: I'll also like to recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mood-Cure-4-Step-Program-Emotions-Today/dp/0142003646
I would suggest ignoring the sections on supplements if you don't think you need them