Blue Genes

I was impressed with the wide range of insight. As the parent of a teenager who struggles with depression, it helped to make sense of some of what I was seeing as well as an appropriate course of action. I appreciate the blend of medically based rationale and biblical perspective.

I wish every Christian would read this book. I have encountered so many well-meaning, misinformed Christians who dismiss mood disorders, particularly depression, as soley a spiritual problem for people who simply don't have enough faith to overcome it. It is equally disheartening to hear Christians ignorantly tout that schizophrenics--or others who suffer from psychotic breaks--are demon-possessed. Real people living with certain neurochemical imbalances have been spiritually abused and traumatized by over-zealous, super-spirtual Christians attempting to "cast out their demons in the name of Jesus." I would specifically encourage ministers and lay counselors who are in the business of understanding the human condition and offering help to broken hearts to become students of the delicate interplay of spirituality, neurochemistry, and environment. Paul Meier compassionately and expertly discusses the biochemical workings of the brain that contribute to such experiences and offers practical hope for people living with neurochemical imbalances. He interweaves Scripture throughout the book and explains how spiritual problems such as bitterness and unforgiveness, can, in fact, drain the brain of neurochemicals, such as serotonin. Other times, genetics can predispose people to chemical imbalances. I laughed when Dr. Meier mentioned that of all the "demon-possessed" patients he's treated, 99% of them have responded favorably to medication. He reasons, that unless demons are allergic to medications, the behavioral disturbances must be organic in nature. Another favorite story of mine in the book is that of a woman who presented in his clinic with depression and anxiety. After days of therapy, her therapists were stumped. They had been unsuccessful in uncovering the root of her symptoms. So Paul Meier prayed that God would show them, and that night, in a dream, Jesus came to Paul and told him that this lady had had an abortion seven years earlier. He casually mentioned it to her the next day, and she dismissed the abortion as no big deal. In her mind, there was no way that could possbily impacting her now. Well, he asked her to go ahead and journal about the experience, and bingo, she was able to make the connection, grieve over that sin, and experience some healing and relief from her symptoms. So I found the book to be both spiritually and practically balanced, compassionate, destigmatizing, and hope-filled. I love how he compares neurochemical imbalances to being no different than hypertension or diabetes. People don't usually blink at having to take meds for those phsysiological disorders; why is Prozac any different? He also included a chapter on nutritional and vitamin supplements that can often improve symptoms w/o the use of medication. And for those who may be averse to the idea of taking medication and who may want to try natural remedies first, I recommend the book, The Brain Chemistry Diet, written by psychiatrist Mich

To the reviewer who gave it 1 star, apparently you've never experienced the misery of depression, ADHD, panic attacks, chemical imbalances or anything of this nature. From someone who's fought a life long battle with many of the struggles mentioned in the book, it was refreshing to hear from a doctor who actually has a chemical imbalance - ADHD - and how our brains are engineered, the huge factor the genetics plays in that engineering and what medical science has discovered and continues to uncover. The community, including the Christian community, needs to give credence to such chemical imbalances the same way a diabetic needs insulin, a person who must take thyroid medicine, etc. Is it a diabetic person's fault s/he was born with or developed diabetes? No! The brain is an organ of the body - in fact probably the most critical one that other organs depend on to function. So if the brain is trying to operate, yet unsuccessfully, with a reduced or increased amount of neurotransmitters, there are medicines to help the brain. This books proves that many suffer in silence but there is hope with medicine (whether long-term or short-term) and cognitive therapy/counseling. The authors do not recommend writing a prescription every time someone complains of a symptom, but certainly is not opposed to treating patients with meds when it obvious necessary to become healthy again, along with proper nutrition, exercise, plan to reduce stressors, controlling certain environmental factors, etc. I'm sharing this books with my friends who suffer in silence as well. I'm beginning to realize we are more part of the norm than the minority. Part of healing is sharing your struggles and realizing that it's okay to take medicine if it's necessary. Who imparted wisdom to doctors about the brain, its complex functions, its impairments and the pharmaceuticals that can help such deficiencies? God did. Thank you, thank you to all of the authors for their wonderful insight and explaining it in layman's terms. There is help and hope for anyone suffering from these imbalances. Please read this book.

This book is an excellent resource for persons who are "consumers" of psychiatric services and for their families,especially if they feel that they are not getting enough information from their doctors about the genetic illnesses, and the medications and how they work. The complaint has been stated in a previous review that the authors do not address enough the spiritual implications of mental illnesses... however, I feel that the doctor authors have wisely stayed within their own field of expertise and have not attempted to address the areas in which they do not have the education or experience. They do recommend Christian counselors but do not claim spiritual counseling to be their personal area of involvement in treatment. It would be unprofessional of them as physicians to do otherwise. This book is an excellent educational resource which I will be placing in our church library and loaning to people who need the information!

Not only was this book helpful and broad in its scope, it was written in easily understood terms and even with a sense of humor. I question the motivation or mindset of a previous reviewer who seems unable to grasp that approach. This book offers excellent advice and perspective and should help many people struggling with the issues it addresses. The authors' style is enthusiastic and encouraging.