Customer Reviews

The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today

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Mood Cure should be a must-read for physicians as well as anyone truly interested in their health and well-being. I have benefited from it personally and have shared it with others who have found it extremely helpful.

Yes, we are in the midst of a mood disorders epidemic and mainstream mental health strategies with a dependence on pharmaceuticals are failing to contain the symptons much less cure the disorders. The Mood Cure, a logical and brilliant follow up to Julia Ross's innovative clinical work in The Diet Cure, may finally break through the denial, marginalization, and suppression of the role nutrition must play for effective mental health treatment.

This book is based on a four step program that has been developed and refined in a clinical setting for over fifteen years. These proven clinical results are very impressive because of the depth and breath of challenging populations that have been successfully treated. These include alcohol/drug/sugar addiction, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, traumatic stress syndromes, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and attention deficit disorders.

Is there a correlation between the exponential growth in mood disorders and the systematic devitalization of our food? As more people consume food products as opposed to food Ms. Ross demonstrates that what clients and clinicians are struggling with in more cases than not is an epidemic of morbid malnutrition with mood and cognitive deficits as symptoms. The brain may well be the most malnourished organ in the body for the majority of us.

The brain, like most organs, needs certain nutrients in order to function effectively. Symptoms of deprivation manifest as mood and cognitive problems. Also, the brain like other organs, possesses an amazing capacity to repair and regenerate itself if fed the needed food. The first chapter expertly outlines true or false emotions based on the clearest explanation I have ever read of the neurotransmitters serotonin, catecholamines, GABA and the endorphins and the specific foods i.e. amino acids that each system needs. Excellently designed diagnostic questionnaires enable the reader to pinpoint neurotransmitter deficiencies while being educated, empowered and inspired to remedy the problem.

The chapters that follow continue to build a clear and coherent treatment approach complete with tool kits, specific protocols, diagnostic questionaires, references and research. One of my favorite chapters is the resource tool kit as I can readily access excellent therapeutic support and information. This book is an ongoing revelation because it has been meticulously crafted to work on many levels simultaneously. Another major strength of The Mood Cure is that it serves both client and clinician in appealing to the reader's intelligence, sense of responsibility for their own health and dignity as a human being.

Using The Mood Cure as an integral part of the treatment process has been extremely effective in my own clinical practice specializing in addiction and trauma recovery. Many clients no longer need medication while those who continue medication have been able to reduce their dosages dramatically. One client who suffered from severe mood swings declared how relieved she was to have found what she called a "user's manual" for her brain! This book is not however anti medication but rather challenges the current knee jerk response to automatically refer and medicate without first investigating nutritional and other organic problems that may be contributing to a diagnosis. Compelling examples that Ms. Ross discusses are the hidden epidemic of thyroid problems and adrenal exhaustion that sabotage treatment. A lesser known condition called Pyroluria, mostly found in alcoholics, uses up zinc, vitamin B6 and manganese and can be the confounding factor in treating stubborn mood problems.

This book is highly recommended as an invaluable resource for both client and clinician alike.

I was, of course, skeptical of this process and how quickly the author said the amino acids can improve moods, but it really really works. This is personal, but I was right on the decision line of suicide and after using the amino acids for two days, I no longer feel like giving in. I know, two days seems like a short time to go from the edge of death to being mostly fine, but it's really true. Amazingly true. I'm not making an effort to stop thinking about death, rather I'm noticing the differences in my mood by lack of hateful and dark thoughts. I'm not over-emotional, nor am I void of emotion. This is the best thing I can think of for people who either don't care to see a psychiatrist (can't afford it) or who don't want to take prescription medicine (I have no health insurance) for help w/ depression. I was amazed that it worked. Many things in her book related to how I feel about myself and about my history, such as starving and dieting. The book is simple, easy to use, and starts w/ a helpful quiz. I agree w/ the others who have said that the author's book is harsh on vegetarian proteins and on soy, which isn't helpful to people who are vegetarians, such as myself. She also recommends trying diets that are unproven in effectivess (blood-type diet) and she makes over-generalized comments, but I took what I could from the book and it has had a huge effect on my life. I've not followed everything she suggests (I'm still eating wheat and soy as these aren't problems for me and I'm taking my aminos when I feel is best for me, not necessarily on a schedule). I don't know that I would be able to make progress in healing from my depression and my eating disorder if it weren't for the suggestions in her book.

Ever wonder why we're drawn to these things? This book is packed with current information about mind nutrition. Included: amino acids, vitamins/minerals, herbs, diet. Most of the emphasis is on amino acids and how they affect our predominant brain nuerotransmitters. If you are taking or considering taking an antidepressant, hooked on coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, chocolate, this book is a must. It tries to explain the biological "why" we are drawn to these things. This is not one of those fuzzy, "Talk to a therapist, or take vitamin C" books. There are 17 pages of notes referencing studies,articles and scientific journals. This book is a good starting point.
One of the previous reviewers brought up a good point: the book could have used some better editing. The author repeats herself. But dont stop reading it - there's fascinating information throughout.
From the inside cover: "the author holds a master's degree in clinical psycology and has been directing counseling programs since 1980."

I just tried out the cures in this book and they seem to be working. I want to thank the author for researching this method.
I found myself using the supplements that she suggested but passing on her food cure method. The selection of food was just too limited for me. I read over the " bad foods" and was trying to figure out what exactly I could eat. I think if you're looking to lose weight in addition to improving your mood, than you should follow her food suggestions. It seems like there's nothing left to eat after she goes through food options. But I guess its worked for her patients on the mood cure since they haven't starved to death.
I'm only giving the book 4 stars out of 5 because the writing isn't clear at times, it's poorly organized, and the author is annoyingly repetitive. For instance, the author mentions that if you fall into more than one of the categories than the methods can address all of them at once. So then I went on a search through the book for some explanation on this and I couldn't find one. I wish the author had found an organized editor to help her format the book, and clarify her writing before it was published. This would have made the book much more enjoyable and accessible to the reader. In addition the author is extremely repetative in her points. In many sections, the author rambled on and on about the same point for pages on end. I don't know what the purpose of this was unless she thinks the readers are all idiots who can't grasp a point and move on. Or maybe she just can't move on! But overall I appreciate her research. This is a valuable book. Just have some patience when reading it.

The short review: This book aims to improve your mood mainly be making changes in your diet, particularly by recommending specific amino acids.

The longer review: The book begins by having the reader distinguish between false moods and true emotions by having them complete a questionnaire. By doing this, you can see which false mood type (or types) you seem to fit. From there, you are directed to certain chapters for a more individualized treatment. Action steps at the end of chapters tell you exactly what to do.

All-in-all it's certainly a valuable resource with much information. Know that it aims to primarily improve moods through nutritional means, which is a much overlooked area in my opinion, and anyone struggling with chronic bad moods is encouraged to check it out. Other books I liked that also take a natural approach include Exercise Beats Depression. :)

This book has saved my life! I've overcome my manic depression and my attention deficit disorder. (Be cautious if you are taking aminos for manic depression. You have to be careful to take just the right amount with no or little caffeine. You may need to take natural lithium. All of our bodies react differently and need individualized care.) My libido has become normal instead of low. I smile all the time. I can get hours of exercise with out getting tired. I have been able to quit eating all of my allergy foods. My chronic ear aches have gone away. I started balancing my check book. I am so much more social that people every where are asking for my e-mail address. I've lost weight. I can focus on fine details much better for a longer period of time. I 'm making more money. My friends and family have all said they've never seen me happier. I've read every detail of Julia Ross's books and I stick very carefully to all of her suggestions. I take all of the suggested vitamins and amino acids for my conditions. I stick to the diet. I have never been able to stay away from my allergy foods so completely and happily before I started following Julias suggestions. I love Julias books because her method works and because she gives very detailed explanations for how and why different substances react the way they do with our bodies. I also love Julia's methods because they work 100 times better than pharmaceuticals. I have tried pharmaceuticals for manic depression as well as ADD only to experience horrible side effects as well as very diminished effectiveness to correct my mood and focus problems. The natural way is the only way for me. My only regret is that I did not find this information earlier in life. It sounds too good to be true. When I first read the book I didn't quite believe it my self but now I tell every one that will listen that her method really works excellently. Read this book and tell your friends and family!

The Mood Cure works! I've been on and off antidepressants for 5 or more years now. Most recently, I was taking Wellbutrin (300mg/day) and klonopin as needed to sleep. My husband and I were watching a spiritual infomerical about amino acid therapy one morning and he (the skeptic) made it his mission to "cure" me. He searched the internet and decided on "The Mood Cure," had to go out and buy it and the amino's that day! I went off of the pharmaceuticals cold turkey and after about a week and half of withdrawal and/or adaptation to amino therapy, my constant state of depression and anxiety miraculously dissipated. It's been two months now and the first month was filled with ENORMOUS turmoil and stress due to our life circumstances, not drug withdrawal or starting a new regime, and I have to say my overall state of calm and contentment have prevailed 99% of the time. Okay, things still get edgy around PMS time, but not nearly as depilitating!

If you are depressed, anxiety ridden, addiction ruled, even just not yourself, I highly recommend trying amino acid therapy. It's natural and given the american diet of today, you probably are deficient and the amino's can't hurt. And...if you've tried the full spectrum of popular antidepressants commonly prescribed, and don't like the endless and life interfering side effects, amino acid therapy may be your 'prescription' of choice. The only draw back to it is that amino acids aren't covered by your prescription drug plan so you may be shelling out more cash each month to maintain your mental health. However, according to 'The Mood Cure' after several months, maybe a year, of amino acid therapy your body will be back in balance and you'll be able to stop taking them!

Overall, my state of being is 100% improved over what it even was on antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills. This isn't to say I am 100% cured,but I am 100% improved.

I thought this book was very well done, and too the point. You know how when you read something, you just know that it's right, well that's the way I felt about this book. I thought it showed great ability to relate and provided a very valuable way of forming a balanced approach to treatment. I highly recommend this book. I look at it as one that I would like to keep as a reference.

"The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross is an informative and useful follow up Julia's first book, "The Diet Cure." This book provides clear guidelines for the reader to determine her "mood type" then provides detailed physical and nutrition-related description of how and why these moods develop and progress. Finally, an easy to follow supplement and nutritional profile is provided for the reader to begin transforming the Dark Clouds, Blahs, Stress and Sensitivity into a Healthy, good mood. Thanks Julia for another excellent book!