The Chemistry of Joy

Book excerpt: Something about our modern way of life is making us sick. The antidepressants of old caused such painful and disabling side effects that the new sophisticated medications featuring fewer side effects seem to present an effortless solution to overcoming depression. Although depression requires physical intervention to correct the brain chemistry imbalance, author Henry Emmons believes that this physical intervention can be effectively achieved without medication. Many physicians and psychologists rely on medication as the first response to treating depression but medications are certainly not the only way to treat depression nor are they always the best way to provide the necessary physical intervention. Dr Emmons believes that it is crucial to treat depression with a diet, exercise and lifestyle plan that helps to rebalance brain chemistry. The programme as presented in his book, focuses on creating a pathway from depression to joyful living and shares a plan for each of the three types of depression: anxious depression, agitated depression and sluggish depression.