The Stress Cure: A Simple, 7-Step Plan to Help Women Balance Mood, Improve Memory, and Restore Energy

I have been suffering for about a year with hives and after being to several doctors, having my hormones, thyroid, etc checked, we narrowed it down to stress. I'm seeing a therapist and this book has been a huge help. I got the lowest dose of DHEA and it has been the only thing to help. I like how the book describes hormones, how they work, etc and in terms someone who isn't a doctor can understand. And it's a self-help kind of book that isn't as dry as other ones I've read. This book and it's information has been the best help to me. I can't say if it would help everyone, but I love it.

This book was very useful in helping me understand the relationship of hormone imbalance and the stress experience. It covers the relationship of thyroid irregularity and why supplementation might not provide the expected results - which was crucial information for me since I have am hypothyroid but the thyroid supplementation was not working. The book also helped me see additional stressors that are impacting my health such as food allergies which helped me understand my situation better. The main premise of the book is that DHEA levels drop in high stress situations and the body gets stuck in a vicious cycle where the DHEA "coping" hormone remains depleted, which continues the stress cycle - it often feels like we are coming unglued or having a personality change because of this lack of coping hormone. The reviewer who has stated that DHEA cannot be taken if you are under 40 must have been skimming too fast - Cherewatenko states that DHEA should not be taken by children or in people who have health issues where hormone level changes (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) could cause further disease. DHEA supplemntation is easy, it is available over the counter and this book explains how and why it works plus the other things you need to look at to bring your life into balance.

I have been battling stress for several years, and after reading this book I am finally winning! I have suggested my friends and family read it and get well too. DHEA has truly brought back my sex drive, patience and coping abilities...and learning that I need help and cannot take on the world myself has helped me focus on things in life that really bring me joy and fullfillment. Read this book!