Customer Reviews

Stop Depression Now: SAM-e, the Breakthrough Supplement That Works as Well as Prescription Drugs in Half the Time... with No Side Effects

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I took Dr. Brown's advice and used sam-e. I had had some success in treating my chronic depression with wellbutrin, but oppressive feelings of sadness, and self-destructive ideation, remained. One week of 200mg sam-e two times daily and the oppressive feelings began to lessen. In two weeks the bad feelings had remitted completely. Though effective, sam-e was mild in its action -- I did not feel that I had been clubbed by a mega-drug. Feeling well, I am able now to have better insight into life problems linked to my long depression -- and I'm able to work on repairing family relationships that had been damaged. I recommend that anyone suffering from depression try sam-e. Reading Dr. Brown's book is an excellent way to learn about this substance.

With the recommendation and supervision of my psychiatrist, I have been taking SAM-e for several months. Not only has the recurring major depression I have had since childhood departed, but the fibromyalgia/CFS and arthritis pain in my hands have disappeared too!

I am actually stunned by these wonderful results! Over many years, well-meaning psychiatrists have prescribed medications for me which not only didn't work, but made my life a living hell from side effects in the process. In contrast, the only discomfort I have experienced from SAM-e is a slight upset stomach shortly after taking it.

Dr. Brown and the others have written a clear guide to SAM-e and how to use it to improve the health of mind and body. I highly recommend this book to those suffering from depression, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

As a high-functioning professional who has suffered from recurring, only partially remitting depression for about 30 years, I was totally amazed when SAM-e supplements (combined with a low dose of Prozac) suddenly helped me. I heard about it from my shrink, who suggested it somewhat tenatively. So I read the book. The book is somwhat simplistic, and I would have preferred a more detailed, scientific analysis. But the bottom line was that SAM-e seemed safe and worth a try. To my surprise in 2 days, at suggested doses of 400 mg a day, I felt at least 50% better. I have since gone up to 800 mg a day with no side effects, only an almost complete wipe-out of the depression. Believe me, I have tried all the prescription and non-prescription remedies in the universe before this, including Prozac by itself. A cloud has lifted off of me. I just hope that others can have the same relief. I hope to hear from you if you have tips, warnings or anecdotes to share.

I'm an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist working in London. Having heard Dr. Brown talk about SAMe at a lecture to psychiatrists, I ordered Stop Depression Now when it came out, and read it. The authors' view that SAMe is an effective antidepressant without significant toxicity impressed me as having a scientific basis. I recommended to two patients of mine that they try it. One, who was not clinically depressed, but was feeling unfulfilled at work and was having trouble sleeping, took 200 milligrams twice a day. She noted that within a few days she felt happier, had more energy, and fell asleep more easily. The second patient had had the insidious onset a few years earlier of intermittent feelings of pins and needles in his hands and feet. These had been growing more evident, especially in his feet. I suggested that he take a cocktail that this book recommends: SAMe 400 milligrams a day, Vitamin B12 one milligram a day, and folic acid 800 micrograms a day. Over the past few weeks the feelings in his extremities have disappeared. He, too, has said he feels more energy and feels happier. Neither patient has experienced any side effects. I am favorably impressed by these two anecdotes. I hope some of my colleagues will investigate the merits of SAMe, Vitamin B12, folic acid, and the diet that the book recommends, and report their findings.

Morton Schatzman, MD

Having tried a variety of antidepressants and suffered too many side effects, I feel relatively knowledgeable about treatment options. I happened upon this book and found the information very accessable. Dr. Brown and his associates have presented a well researched and well organized book. I would recommend that others with low level depression that is too hard to shake off but who are hesitant about taking prescription meds to give SAM-e a try. Read over his book and find out for yourself. There are sites that offer this product, however i have settled on iHerb because of the documentation offered as well as the variety of brands and dosages. Read, research and try for yourself what I mean.

I tried SAM-e over a four month period (September-December 2001)and found it to be somewhat, but not completely effective in relieving my anxiety and depression. At first, for a few weeks at least, I felt that SAM-e was giving me a moderate antidepressant-type relief for the constant tension I seem to carry around in my body. However, after this time, I either adjusted to SAM-e or its effects became less noticable to me and I started to feel like it was not working. I had that same feeling each time I stopped and started SAM-e over the four month period. For me, SAM-e is more effective than St. John's wort, kava, and Omega-3s, though I'm not sure how it compares to 5-HTP, as my experience has been mixed with that stuff. However, SAM-e has not been as powerful and effective on me as SSRIs in its antidepressant effect. But, SAM-e appears to have no SSRI-like side effects, which is certainly pleasant. And, according to Brown and others, SAM-e may even have some health benefits. In terms of Richard Brown's book, I found it to be OK, nothing special, nothing I haven't read (or tried) before about/for treating depression. He briefly discusses SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, St. John's wort, cognitive behavioral techniques, diet, essential fatty acids, exercise, yoga, and meditation. These things are all helpful, but are presented in greater detail in other books. And, in light of my experience with SAM-e, maybe Stop Depression Now is tad bit over-optimistic about this stuff as a miracle drug. Also, I still didn't feel like the studies Brown quotes in this book were large enough or done on a long-term enough scale to know if SAM-e is truly safe or not. It sounds good and Brown is convincing, but my experience with SAM-e has so far told me otherwise.

Depression affects fifty percent of the population. Every other one of us will suffer from some form of depression at some time. It can wreck relationships, take away your joy, and can be a terrible way to suffer in silence.

Depression in fact stems from a combination of chemical imbalances and environmental factors. SAM-e is a safe, over-the-counter, natural supplement that promises to help you beat depression quickly, easily, and safely.

SAM-e is not a drug, herb or a vitamin. It is a substance already present in our bodies. By restoring this substance to an optimal level, you can see dramatic improvements in your mood.

Modern prescription antidepressants are harsh drugs, which can have intolerable side effects. The author shows how clinical trials have shown SAM-e to have fewer side effects than a placebo (sugar pill). The positive results will also only take a few days to appear.

If you want to try a program to get out of the depression cycle, you can try a number of things. These ideas are a combination of what I have learned and are also the basic ideas sprinkled throughout this book.

1. Make a commitment to being happy. 2. Take the bad feelings and tell yourself you don't want to feel this way. 3. Replace the negative thoughts about the past with happy ones about the future. (Hope) 4. Exercise and take your vitamins. 5. Find an activity that makes you feel good and keeps your mind busy. 6. Give something back to your community. Volunteer, help a child learn to read or cook a meal for a friend. 7. Be in control! Decide what you are going to do about a problem instead of complaining about it. 8. Focus on the good in your life instead of depressing issues and negative thoughts. 9. Eat the right foods! Cooking can be very therapeutic. 10. Get a pet! How can you be sad with a puppy or kitten bounding about the house! 11. Join a group, church or club. Get involved with positive, happy people. Avoid negative, depressing people who do not support you emotionally. Soon those people will learn to be more positive if they want a piece of your time. 12. Take 200 - 400mg SAM-e a day. (GNC brand it the best and you can take up to 800mg if needed) 13. Practice relaxation techniques such as Yoga. 14. Go for a massage. 15. Try light therapy if you have SAD. 16. Nurture your Spirit, that is how you will find true Joy.

It is a very good idea to read this entire book. About ten percent of depressed individuals should not treat themselves and should be under a doctor's supervision. There does however seem to be help for postpartum and postmenopausal depression as well.

If you are taking St. John's wort, you may want to switch over to SAM-e. St. John wort causes photosensitivity and therefore has a side effect.

If you feel any of the following symptoms, this book may hold the secret to a cure:

1. Feeling empty. 2. Feeling sad. 3. Negative thoughts about the past, present and future. 4. Feeling tense and nervous. 5. Loss of interest in life. 6. Feeling guilty or worthless. 7. Difficulty concentrating. 8. Sleep problems. 9. Change in appetite or lack of hunger. 10. Feeling sluggish. 11. Suicidal thoughts - seek professional help immediately!

This book is filled with information on a variety of antidepressants and the reasons why they may be harmful. In my opinion, why take something with side effects, when you can take something which is natural and is already something your body uses on a daily basis. I say, take this along with your daily vitamins, it could change your whole outlook on life. It is an expensive supplement, but you happiness is priceless. Please do consult your doctor before going on this program, especially if you have other health concerns.

An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves. --Lydia M. Child

One cannot get through life without pain....What we can do is choose how to use the pain life presents us. --Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Thank you Dr. Brown for helping to heal an arthritic knee thatwas inhibiting daily function.SAMe did what two years of othertherapies failed to do, that is, get me back to biking and into a pain-free exercise routine. This book is a valuble resource to readers with problems other than depression, and belongs on the rack at every fitness center and gym. The title, STOP DEPRESSION NOW, lead me to believe this book would primarily be concerned with the uplifting psycological benefits of SAMe. However, enough information and explanation of its use for arthritis (as well as several other maladies) was included with dosage specifics. Dr. Brown's directives and explanaions were clear, concise and easy to follow. He had provided information necessary for those people who prefer to know more about suppplements than the information generally provided in health food stores and/or on-line.

The book jumped-out at me in the store, I promptly read it, and searched far and wide for the supplement. I found it, not at the health food store, but by word-of-mouth, at Rite-Aid. I am presently combining it with celexor, but hope I can get off of that eventually.

The thing that troubled me about the book, and mostly it is well done, is that the author minimized HOW it works. He also suggested that definitive studies haven't been done on what causes depression, the chemistry of it, etc....when in fact, there are many great books that get into the chemistry. One I highly recommend is Potatoes Not Prozac.

It felt to me as if the author wanted to capitalize on this fabulous, natural supplement (far better than St. John's Wort), and the rest of the book is just a filler.

The bottom line is, get the supplement, and you WILL (most likely) feel better.

This book outlines the benefits of SAM-e for those with symptoms of depression and arthritus. In both areas the success of SAM-e treatment can be attested. SAM-e has overcome my 94 year old mother's latent depression. In two months she has changed from a case of classic old age depression to a woman who is full of energy and positive in her outlook. A 94 year old who lives independantly.

I read the book at my mother's insistance and found the comments about arthritis right on the mark. Dr. Brown's suggestion that SAM-e would mitigate my symptoms has worked.

In both areas, depression and arthritus, Dr. Brown's writtings have resulted in positive results that can be attested to first hand. It is must reading for anyone with one or both of these afflictions.