The Anti-Depressant Survival Program: How to Beat the Side Effects and Enhance the Benefits of Your Medication

Recently, I was browsing through the Internet checking out literature on depression and couldn't believe that I came across Dr. Robert Hedaya for he was at one time my psychopharmacologist, pscyhotherapist...he was my salvation. And, I have only one regret: not staying with him longer in therapy. Nonetheless, I am therefore responding because I was upset by some of the comments by readers. I assure you that this man does not lack compassion -- his commitment to one is not easily or readily noticeable until you find that one day he has somehow strengthened you, he has provided you with the tools necessary to pick yourself up and to carry on ... he works with the mind and body ... I have heard countless stories of his compassion and I am one of the survivors who owes tribute to his knowledge and his commitment to the process. I remember feeling better when I would walk out of his office... I still remember his words to this day... Dr.Hedaya, if you are reading this, I thank you.... S.M.W. (p.s. - I made it to California!)

This book deserves a 5 because despite whatever imperfections, it has made a significant improvement in my life. It has been 8 months since I bought it and I have waited this long so as to be reasonably sure I can attribute the change to the changes inspired by the book. I am a male 45 and have taken different anti-depressants off and on for 2 1/2 years prior to this book. They did not work for me but neither did not taking them. I have stayed with the book's recommendation for diet and excercise (90%) and it has made enough of a difference that I am no longer seeking other help. I hope this review will convince someone who might not, to try it. Thank you Dr Hedaya

Well, I dropped in here tonight to find out how to list Dr. Hedaya's book at the mental health website where I am webmaster. So, I will leave a review! I had been thinking the last few days which book I wanted to recommend as Number One in getting better from depression as well as other mental health dysfunctions. Actually I have what is called bipolar2 which runs in my family. I bought Dr. Hedaya's book about a month after it first came out in early 2000. Since I live in the Washington, DC area, where he practices and teaches, I had met him briefly and had heard good things about him in our mental health community. His book gathered together for me information I had been trying to gather from dozens of other sources. I took it in to my primary care doctor (who was recommended to me by my psychiatrist) and told him these are the principles I would like to follow to stay more stable and build up my general health as well. This book has done more for me than all the others on mental health that I have read over several years. I have loaned it out to friends and professionals. It will soon be the Number One recommendation on my mh self-help site. In essence it is about creating a comprehensive health promoting lifestyle, and anyone with or without mental illness cannot be harmed and can find much benefit from it. He also deals very effectively with the importance of having specific tests for other medical factors that can contribute to mental illness, such as low thyroid in my case. These factors have been, and sad to say continue to be, neglected by some psychiatrists and other physicians. This book is a winner. It is also very user-friendly in content. I am very grateful to Dr. Hedaya for making this information available to us to follow in our own homes and for us to discuss with our own medical and mental health professionals.

After 3 years on anti depressants I had come to accept and live with the side effects of my medication. At times wondering if life without medication would be better, enduring the depression seemed my only option. My surprise in finding this book and the valuable lifestyle changes have made a substantial impact on my life in the past 3 weeks! I'm living life with more energy and enthusiasm and will follow Dr. Hedaya's program and incorporate his guidance into my daily life. Easy and interesting reading, but mostly,very effective! A must read!

I can't say enough about how helpful this program has been for me. I'm on Zoloft, and since I've been using Dr. Hedaya's program I feel great, I've got tons of energy, I've got NO side effects, and my psychopharmacologist is talking about lowering my dosage! I have several friends who are also on antidepressants, and are dealing with some of the more common side effects, and I've given this book to each of them. If you're willing to make some changes in the way you live your life (watch things like sugar, alcohol, caffeine intake), it is possible to live depression-free and side effect-free. I urge you to try it.