Customer Reviews

Blue Genes

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 Michael Lesser.

There is so much controversy amongst Believers about medication for chemical imbalances.The author writes from personal experience giving insight to those suffering in this way. Replaces judgement with understanding, compassion, help and hope. Well worth reading.
From a pastoral care giver.

I came across this book about 5 years ago and found it to be very readable, logically organized, and so well done that I bought half a dozen copies. Recently I wanted to pass it on to a friend and realized I had given away every last one...I like this book so well that I again ordered a half dozen! Although Blue Genes addresses genetic depression, it is completely appropriate for anyone experiencing depression. I appreciate that it reflects a Christian viewpoint but not to such an extent as to be rejected by nonbelievers. This book would also be useful for friends and family. The cover illustration is perfect!

I heard an interview by Dr. Paul Meier (author) on the radio and was so impressed I ordered this book. The descriptions of various disorders and the neurotransmitters, hormones, etc. that are involved (off balance)enabled me to see exactly what I was experiencing and then helped my psychiatrist properly diagnose me quickly. It's difficult to articulate what you are feeling sometimes. There are many disorders in the book that don't apply, but still worth reading the entire book. I can't tell you how many people I've purchased this book for since, who have been immensely helped. Truly I feel this book saved my life by leading me to a correct diagnoses and ultimately the right medications (that still takes time since everyone is different). I had been misdiagnosed for many years before this. This shows that you aren't crazy even though the stigma still exists. It's chemistry, like insulin is for a diabetic. He helps show there is nothing to be ashamed about.

I started this book fairly ignorant about mental health issues in general. As a Christian I was very skeptical about mental health medication for reasons others have stated. However, the authors were very convincing in advocating for the use of mental health medication and the role of genetics in these problems. For example, why is a medication for depression not okay but insulin for a diabetes patient is fine? On the flip side, at some level when you're treating a physical condition you may only be treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause--the same could be true with mental health. In balance, the authors also say that about 80% can get better with counseling alone. The authors touch on other contributors to mental health problems such as spiritual condition, nutrition, etc. However, much of the book is about how medication can address these conditions. That probably makes sense though, because mental health medication is controversial and is a topic that most people don't understand very well. I found the book to be very informative, with helpful case studies, concise, and a great overview of mental health issues.

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!