The Way Up from Down (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Maintaining that depression is biochemically induced, temporary and treatable, Los Angeles psychiatrist Slagle presents a nutritional treatment utilizing amino acids and vitamin-mineral supplements that are available sans prescription in pharmacies and health-food stores. The author, who has a history of "intense depression," readily admits that her alternative approach is controversial but, despite some awkward and repetitious prose, makes a solid case for food-mood connections. Readers are advised to self-test to discover if they are depressed by answering a number of questions, provided here. If they test as severely depressed, Slagle recommends that they seek a psychiatrist; others, she says, can embark on this self-help program alone. But the vagueness of the illness and the self-test questions, and the complicated nature of the treatment program, will deter readers, perhaps rightly so, from attempting this regimen without professional help. 25,000 first printing; major ad/promo; Prevention Book Club selection; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

This easy-to-follow program of vitamins and amino acids requires no drugs or therapy and will increase stamina and improve moods--forever. Learn how the right vitamins and foods can boost mental health, how to determine mood level, how improved mental habits can end depression, and more. Includes new update on stress prevention and the tryptophan controversy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312929145
• ISBN-13: 978-0312929145
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #439,934 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars book is worth thousands of dollars, saves years of time, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This book emphasizes the amino acid, nutritional solution to depression, and it is excellent. The book is well written, Dr. Slagle is a practicing psychiatrist with backgrounds at UCLA and USC. My depression symptoms were so severe, and lasting for over 15 years, that I went on medical disability after being fired from 3 good paying professional jobs. After reading this book, and also Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution (also excellent) I was able to see relief from the terrible depressions in just days, and after 50 days all my major symptoms had vanished. No most costly SSRI meds, doctor visits, adverse side effects, lost years....and besides, the SSRI and tricyclic medications didn't work anyway. This book gives a fast, low cost (amino acids, vitamins, food supplements) solution that had permanent medical results for me. An excellent book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book can be downloaded free!, July 17, 2004

By A Customer

Ms. Slagle has generously made this updated edition of her book available free at her website, TheWayUp.com. The whole book can be downloaded in Adobe. Her website also has a lot of interesting information on it. Good luck!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Saved My Life, June 5, 2004

By	DJ Primate (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Some time ago, I was living in a hellish state that was like some kind of bad drug trip: blurry consciousness, constant depression and lethargy, memory loss, attention deficit, and frequent suicidal thoughts that were nearly carried out on several occasions.

One day I was wandering in a haze after work, went inside a book store, and sought out books on depression. I read the premise of this book, and thought "what the hell, worth a shot."

After about 10 days of diet and nutritional modification to boost the mood-elevating brain chemicals as recommended in the book, I became a different person, and noticed a greatly increased energy level, and even reversal of hair loss! There were still some serious biochemical imbalances (such as chronic "yeast" and bacterial infections, food allergies, and chemical sensitivities) that affected my mental health, and remained undiscovered, but the nutritional information in this book set me on the right path. The sun began to shine again, and despite the remaining untreated conditions, there were enough "ups" to make life worth living again, and give me hope for the medication-free recovery that eventually did come about when I eventually became aware of and treated those other issues.

This book saved my life, and finally explained why some people can keep a smile through the worst misfortunes while others can be miserable while living the life of royalty.