Mini-Reviews of Books in the Resource Center Collection

Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal originated the concept of seasonal affective disorder in 1984, based on his own personal experience.  Nine years later he published Winter Blues, one of the leading sources of information on this subject.  He goes into the history, diagnosis, and treatment of a condition that affects anywhere from 1.5% to 9% of the American population, depending on latitude.  This book is now in its second edition

 

Here are two glowing comments about Dr. Rosenthal’s book:

 

  "Dr. Rosenthal, a pioneering researcher who helped put seasonal depression on the map, is a also a gifted teacher and storyteller. What do simple algae, hibernating animals, and humans have in common? They all have internal rhythms that respond to the seasons. Follow Dr. Rosenthal as he explores the latest science and treatment of seasonal depression, illustrated with fascinating anecdotes and stories and delivered in his compulsively readable and eloquent style."--Richard A. Friedman, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

  "Winter Blues is a wonderful book. It is deeply knowledgeable from a scientific perspective, as one would expect from one of the world's leading authorities on mood disorders, but it is also a delight to read. Dr. Rosenthal writes beautifully about the human side of the seasons and our profound beholdenness to light, while at the same time providing an invaluable guide to handling the seasonal depressions that affect so many individuals."--Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, author of An Unquiet Mind and Exuberance.

 

  Sensing a demand for a book that touts exercise as a way of boosting mental and physical health, Body for Life by Bill Phillips, a best-seller back in 1999, came to mind.  It provides common-sense ways of maximizing the time you spend exercising, motivational chapters on how to set goals and stay the course, and advice on nutrition (with a

and advice on nutrition (with a plug for a nutritional supplement called Myoplex).  Retired Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway offered the following glowing compliment:  “I admire Bill Phillips because he believes so much in what he is doing, and he has helped so many people, including me.  The time I’ve spent with Bill over the past couple years has been tremendous for me.  I feel better mentally and physically.  I believe the more his message gets out, the better off everybody is going to be.”

It Has Been Brought to My Attention…

 

  There is a bimonthly magazine, Neurology Now, that provides accurate, up-to-date information on neurological disorders such as migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, ADD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain or spinal cord injury, etc.  The connection between this class of diseases and mood disorders is that some of us are subject to one or more neurological disorders, which may aggravate our mental state.  Also, there is coverage of medications that are used both as anticonvulsants and mood stabilizers, and general-interest articles, such as one I saw on caregiver burnout. For more information, visit the Web site:  www.neurologynow.com, or call Customer Service for subscriptions at 1-800-638-3030 (USA) or 1-301-223-2300 (elsewhere).

[Credit goes to Mike Jubb for this recommendation.]