Customer Reviews
Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression - By: Susan Ritson, 11 Nov 2008 
This book is extremely comprehensive. There is something for everyone from sufferers, their families/friends, lay & health practitioners.
What I found particularly refreshing was the way the writers had explained the brain function (Chapter 3 - Mind Matters)in a clear (mostly) jargon free way, the importance of the talking therapies & the part that complementary therapies can contribute.
Scientific skills are not easily transferrable - By: P. Hardy, 06 Oct 2008 
J Browne makes a good point about this book's scientific arguments. There is no robust data supporting the role of blood tests of neurotransmitter aminesin the diagnosis of depression.
Jane Plant's scientific reputationin earth sciences is assured, but now she has waded into the different specialist area of psychopharmacology the results are much less convincing. Her pharmacology & critical appraisal skills are, I feel, somewhat exposedin this volume.
A welcome alternative to taking drugs - By: Robin - practising counsellor, 22 Sep 2008 At last, a book that offers many alternatives to taking drugs - which deal with the symptoms, not the causes.This book impressed me by being well supported by scientific proof. For some strange reason, another reviewer claimed there were 'phoney scientific arguments' whereas all statements were well referencedin the notes at the back of the book.
The great thing about the various techniques offered is that they could save many people from relying on medication - which can become a long-term addiction.
excellent book, full of real science - By: Thomas R. G. Simpson, 22 Sep 2008 apart from the slightly questionable review below I agree with everyone else i've ever met who read & used this book. Brilliant, helpful & different. If you think you've tried everything to fix your depression pr anxiety problems, try this! As a scientist myself I can only say thatin my opinion this is one the most soundly scientifically based texts on mental health i've ever seen, as you would expect given the authors' credentials. You don't get a CBE for services to earth sciences for writing rubbish do you?
A real eye-epener - By: G. Hardy, 19 Sep 2008 This book came as a very welcome surprise to me & at just the right moment of my life.
I have long been impressed by Prof. Plant's work, & the thorough, painstaking research that goes into each of her books.
I have fought a long & so far remarkably successful battle against prostate cancer, & I credit my progress to finding Prof.Plant's own story of her struggle against breast cancer,in "Your Life In Your Hands", within days of my diagnosisin April 2005.
Early this year,in May 2008, I was feeling particularly 'down' & just could not fathom out why. Surely I would have had far more reason to be depressedin the first months of diagnosis, not now - at such a highpointin my life; I had finished all cancer treatment.
As usual, the impatient patient that is me began trawling the internet for answers. I had already asked questions of my family doctor & my oncologist, but felt disatisfied with their responses & suggestions.
I felt there must be a biochemical reason why I was feeling so depressed & unable to cope. I wondered if there was some imbalance of hormonesin my body.
I was amazed to discover that Jane Plant had written this book with Janet Stephenson & that both had suffered badly at one time with stress, anxiety & depression, yet had found a way to successfully combat the illness.
I read the book from cover to cover, & it certainly did open my eyes.
At last I could see clear reasons why I was feeling the way I did. There was nothing for me to be ashamed about - I hadn't suddenly became 'weak-willed' or lazy. There really WERE hormonal imbalances, & there really were possible solutions.
I am now seen regularly by an endocrinologist & I have followed all the suggestionsin this book to keep myself on the path to a full recovery.
I would thoroughly recommend this ground-breaking book to anyone who is feeling depressed - & baffled as to exactly what is causing such depression.
George Hardy
