A review by amysteele
Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You're Taking, The Sleep You're Missing, The Sex You're Not Having, and What's Really Making You Crazy by Julie Holland

5.0

Every woman should read this. Important info about meds, sleep, sex and overall health. appreciate the mind-body connection and alternative treatments discussed. some new, some older information all tied together quite nicely and in an open, honest, conversational manner.

some things I jotted down:

--insomnia and mood disorders are interwoven
--early awakening symptoms of depression
--circadian manipulation is a non-pharma treatment for depression (my psychiatrist gives me drugs to get to sleep and drugs to get going in morning-which I don't want to take but let her write the scripts.)
--memories "consolidated" during sleep!
--if you nap should be 25 min or 90 min
--testosterone levels lowest in afternoon and highest in morning
--"healthy serotonin levels lead to healthy melatonin levels"
--artificial light at night makes us out of sync with nature and the seasons
--less sleep w/ artificial light
--if you eat fewer carbs in winter your body can burn off fat store. Carbs in summer, fats in winter.
--"Sleeping more helps keep you thin."
--magnesium and chamomile help with sleep
--when benzos wear off often have increased anxiety/withdrawal
"Too many of us are out of sync with our bodies and our environment. And that disconnect is making us sick, fat tired, wired and miserable."

"We medicate away our unease."

"All of us have the capacity to influence our emotional lives."