Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression - Book Review

Title: Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression
Author: Dr. Mary Ann Block
Number of Pages: 172
On the Book Cover: "Depression is a symptom, not a Disease. So, Find the Cause - Fix the Problem!"

Book Review: The books' introduction is about how a bad health experience with the authors' two-year-old daughter and years of complications made Mary Ann Block go to medical school to become a doctor. Dr. Block wanted to make sure that the same medical problems would never happen again to her daughter or any of her family and friends.

Dr. Mary Ann Block author of the book Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression is touted as a top-selling author on the non-drug approach to psychiatric disorders. Dr. Block also has a successful medical practice named The Block Center in Texas. If you have ever asked yourself the question... "Why am I depressed?" then I suggest you read this book.

I personally am not a big believer in using prescription drugs unless truly necessary. I don't like those commercials where the list of side effects for the prescription drug is worse than the problem, including anti-depressants medicine. What I don't understand is how a prescription that is made to help people can cause such serious side effects as death or heart problems. Dr. Block and I seem to think along the same lines when it comes to prescription drugs.

Dr. Mary Ann Block tells the reader that other medical conditions such as: thyroid problems, allergies, migraines, vitamin deficiencies and more can actually be the underlying causes of the depression symptoms that so many Americans seem to have. I for one would much rather treat the original problems rather than be handed a pill by my doctor hoping that this would cure my depression.

The author goes on to talk about how many times she has seen patients who were prescribed anti-depressants (with harmful side effect) for depression who have other underlying health problems that are causing the same symptoms as depression. Depression can be a depression of the mind or of the bodies systems. The doctor mentions several reasons for symptoms of depression such as fatigue, headache, stress, and anxiety and there may be another cause besides depression.

My rating for this book review of Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression written by Dr. Mary Ann Block is a 4 out of 5 stars. The reason I gave this book only 4 stars is because of all the quotes from other medical authorities. This book reads somewhat like a medical text and some people will find that off putting and will not read until the end and get help for their depression. That does not mean that this book won't help many "depressed" people now living in a fog, who desperately want out.

If you think there is a hint of a chance that your depression may be health related and not all in your head I would recommend reading Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression. I would also suggest you make an appointment with your doctor and get the tests that Dr. Block recommends to see if you need other treatment besides anti-depressants.