Blue Genes [Paperback]

Paul Meier (Author), Todd Clements (Author), Jean-Luc Bertrand (Author), Sr., David Mandt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

Many common psychological problems, such as depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD, can be linked to chemical imbalances in the brain. Dr. Paul Meier, whose clinic treats thousands of people per week, has written Blue Genes to help find answers for those who struggle. Through fascinating case studies, Dr. Meier shows the dramatic difference counseling and medicine can make. This empowering book addresses how genetics, environment, diet, fitness, and spirituality all affect our minds and our quality of life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Meier [www.paulmeiermd.com] is an M.D., psychiatrist, and ordained minister, and the founder of the Meier Clinics, a national chain of nonprofit Christian psychiatry clinics (1-888-7-CLINIC).

He has also traveled to countries all over the world to train both professional and lay counselors, as well as missionaries and pastors, in the field of Christian counseling. He taught full-time for twelve years at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he discipled Tony Evans, John Trent, John Townsend, Henry Cloud, and many other students. Dr. Meier was the team physician for a mountain-climbing expedition in 1985 with American astronaut Jim Irwin, attempting to find Noah's Ark on Mt. Ararat.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414312164
• ISBN-13: 978-1414312163
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Psychology & Christianity
  • #76 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Depression

More About the Author

Paul Meier, M.D., is a nationally recognized psychiatrist and founder of the Meier Clinics. He is also the best-selling author or coauthor of more than 70 books, including "Love Is a Choice," "Happiness Is a Choice," "Mood Swings," and "Love Hunger." He holds an M.D. degree from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine and completed his psychiatric residency at Duke University. He also holds advanced degrees in human physiology and biblical studies. Dr. Meier was one of the original founding members of the Focus on the Family Physicians Resource Council (PRC).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hope for the Hopeless, November 20, 2005

By 

Ruby Lois (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Genes (Focus on the Family Books) (Hardcover)

In Blue Genes, Dr. Meier and his co-authors discuss the way our genetic heritage affects our moods and mental health. The book is full of case histories which offer hope for those who suffer from depression, ADHD, bipolar, and other mental illnesses.

One of the most encouraging points Dr. Meier make is that 80% of those treated in his clinics require only good Christian counseling in order to recover. In these cases the depression has been caused by environmental factors, life experiences, and/or sin.

However, for those that do need medication either temporarily or long term, the book includes summaries of the various drugs currently available along with why they work, their advantages, and the potential problems associated with them.

The authors consistently work to overcome any false guilt associated with taking psychiatric medications, reminding the readers that these are physiological illnesses similar to diabetes or hypothyroidism, illnesses which can and should be treated. The explanations of the genetic causes of depression helps patients and their families realize that many of the behaviors which cause so much pain aren't a matter of weak character or willful sin.

I think this book can be a real benefit to those who grapple with depression, offering hope and providing excellent guidance in participating in their own recovery.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Information!, November 30, 2005

By 

Loves Books (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Genes (Focus on the Family Books) (Hardcover)

I found myself thrust into the world of mental health in dealing with my daughter's depression and anxiety. Although we went to a psychiatrist, he didn't really explain how all the various hormones and brain chemistry worked, nor did he explain how the meds helped - he just prescribed them. Since my daughter was 18, he didn't have to talk to me in detail, so this book has really helped me to understand the basics.

It also has helped me respond to caring but ignorant friends and family members who questioned her being given medication. She is now on the road to recovery and is handling life much better. As a person with a chronic health issue, she was dealing with depression on top of it and finding it hard to handle routine things on the emotional level.

I'm grateful for this book and how much understanding it has given me about the whole mental health picture. With counseling, the expectation is that my daughter will be given the tools to cope with life and no longer need any medication at all. People need to learn more about mental health issues, and this book is a great place to start!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insight from the medical and spiritual perspectives, August 17, 2006

By 

KatCajun (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Genes (Focus on the Family Books) (Hardcover)

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.