Book Review: Female Brain Gone Insane
January 13, 2010
When I first saw the subtitle of this book, “An Emergency Guide For Women Who Feel Like They Are Falling Apart“, I desperately wanted to read it. After all, who among us doesn’t feel this way from time to time? It says, “Four steps to sanity — No doctors, no antidepressants, no fuss” right on the back cover!
Emergency Guide? Yes, Please!
I was picturing something along the lines of Hermione’s magic wand, but as it turns out, this is entirely different. My first clue should’ve been that it was written by Mia Lundin, Founder and Director of the Center for Hormonal and Nutritional Balance. Her approach to this issue is more scientific than what I was looking for.
My kind of insanity seeks simple answers like:Â doing less, relaxing, meditating, yoga, chocolate ice cream, and sharing a bottle of wine with my best friends in Paris.
Female Brain Gone Insane
“Interestingly, bioidentical hormones are made in the laboratory. Yes, they are derived from plant sources, meaning the plant hormone is extracted from the plant and then synthesized or tweaked in lab to look exactly like the hormones made by your ovaries. Analogously, these hormones are the right key for the right lock. Your body says, ‘Hello. I recognize you.’ Then the bioidentical hormone key finds the receptor, unlocks it, and voila! Once the hormones are in place, your body can stop screaming for what it needs and can shift back into balance.” (p.49)
THAT is too complex for my insane brain to wrap itself around.
I think I may not be the right target market for this book. I’m all for finding balance, but I can’t quite process what it means to do it this way. Perhaps if I were older, menopausal, at my wit’s end, or if I had tried everything else, I would consider using something like this… maybe. It’s hard to say at this point.
I don’t mean to imply that the book isn’t fantastic; for me it was overwhelming, but it may well offer a solution that can help some people. Perhaps it’s the nature of my personality, or the fact that I’m not quite “there” yet, but it didn’t seem like a solution I’d be comfortable with. I felt that it made things more complicated, rather than simpler.
What about you?
When you are struggling to keep it together do you seek a scientific/medical solution? If so, this is probably the perfect book for you.
Or, do you find that something more simple and ambiguous works best? Maybe something spiritual?
Even if you are not a female, and even if your brain has not gone insane lately, I hope you will still join this conversation. I’m sure the feeling of “falling apart” is not just a female issue… is it?
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“Spirit” is my default orientation. Sometimes i worry that i am trying to use the “Unknown” to DRUG myself out of “Reality”… but then it works! And that’s all that matters.
Again, its about “Balance”, but balance NOT as a 50-50 affair but as a harmonious affair whatever the ratio. What this means is that even a 100-0 affair can be “balance” IF you are CONGRUENT with it. Congruence is Harmony, Congruence is Balance…whatever the ratio.
Christopher´s last blog ..2 Questions to Shed Light on your Passion and Authenticity when choosing a Worthy Life Pursuit
Hey, Christopher! I completely agree… there has to be balance and congruence when applying a solution to a particular problem. I didn’t feel this solution was congruent with my needs, but it may be perfect for someone else.
So was it promoting ingesting hormones or changing our lifestyles?
Gordie´s last blog ..Why Meditation Is The Rocket Fuel For Lifestyle Design And Personal Development.
The book was mostly about the treatments using these bioidentical hormones. I guess the assumption is that sometimes we can’t remove all the stressors of modern life and still need a workable solution… which may be true, but it seems best to treat the cause rather than the symptom.
If you have no stress in your life and STILL feel like you are falling apart, perhaps this would sound like a simple, and workable answer.
Yeah, this book wouldn’t be for me either. It seems like more of a science-educational book and not something that actually gives you advice on the things you can change in your life to achieve less stress. If you want to limit your anxiety, cultivate positive habits. Sure, some people may need to injest chemicals because of some severe brain deficiency, but most people should be fine with just improving their lifestyle.
Thanks for the review Lisis, it was very good!
Hey, Steven! It’s true… I think the mainstream advice should still be based on lifestyle changes and these more detailed, scientific answers seem more appropriate for a case-by-case, last resort scenario in a doctor’s office. It sounds a bit like the “magic pill” we all crave… “just make it go away, NOW, so I can get back to the things I always do.” That kind of thinking makes me nervous.
Glad you liked it, my friend!
Why I haven’t come across this book yet, I thought I’d read them all! I’m now trying to get into regular meditation (easier said than done), keep on exercising, doing things I’ve always wanted to do, and recently acupuncture. I’ll let you know how it goes- been having lots of anxiety attacks lately so I’m hoping this will do it. Maybe I just need a day chatting with the wonderful Lisis!
Haha! Definitely your last prescription is sure to do the trick! Nothing like some talk therapy with a friend to get us through the rough stuff.
Meditation works wonders, but I’m still not convinced it’s for everyone. I have this notion that it is infinitely easier for people like me to mediate (since I’m serene and sedentary anyway) than for anyone who is very active or wound up a little tighter. I just can’t imagine that one cure works for all types of people… but it might. I’ll be curious to hear about your acupuncture too. I’ve heard great things so far.
If all else fails, you can come to Paris with me for chocolates and wine!
No, the feeling of falling apart isn’t reserved just for women. rofl
It was good advice. I find my sanity moment by moment as I wander in wonder along in life.
My doctor said I didn’t need a chemical fix for my ‘falling apart’. He told me to just pull myself together and get on with my life.
jr cline´s last blog ..The Power of Love
Hi, JR!! Oh, you have the best doctor! And good for you for giving it a try. I think we all find our sanity in each moment… some are much easier than others! And there are certainly instances when meds are called for, but I still see them as a last resort. We owe it to ourselves to focus 100% on lifestyle change first, and then manage whatever is left over. I should think there’d be a lot less to manage that way.
(It’s great to see you again, my friend!)
Hi Lisis, I worry about books, doctors, etc that promote chemical fixes for everything. I know that I try to avoid medication whenever possible and go for a natural solution. I am older, and I still wouldn’t try it.
What I am realizing is that more and more we try to overload and the results male or female is that we do feel like we are going insane. The stress piles up and we can’t see our way out. For me most recently, it was a choice to narrow my focus and stop trying to be two people. Running a non-profit for 12 years while sustaining my career industry business was exhausting. I probably was never totally my best in any world. So now I am building only one side and putting in rewards for me. Trips, home projects procrastinated, and giving back in other ways.
As a Christian, turning to prayer and the Word is where I started this new journey of mine. Without that in my center, I would have been more lost.
Julie Walraven´s last blog ..I’m on hold
Hi, Julie! I think you are on a great track to find exactly what you are looking for. Starting from a spiritual or faith-based foundation already puts you on a path to succeed, because you have to believe it is possible no matter what. In addition you are simplifying your life, and creating a more authentic lifestyle that aligns with who you are. This is a great start towards your peace and happiness.
I want to wish you the best of luck with your new journey, too!!
Dammit! Again, I have nothing interesting to add; I can only say that I agree with you 100%.
Oh, and I can also second JR’s comment…falling apart is most definitely a function of men, too. I think it’s a universal experience…
Ah. I just found something to contribute.
Sometimes, falling apart is necessary to bring one to a better place or a deeper understanding. In mystical farmer speak, It is necessary to plow the old fields under before planting the new crops. Sometimes, we have to be broken down before we can be built up again into a better version of ourselves. To medicate that process could delay it, and make it that much harder.
Now, having said that, I also believe that sometimes, medication is necessary. Suffering should not be prolonged over many months, or many years. If a person cannot find their way back to peace and love by themselves, then medication can help shine a little light to open up the path.
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..The Miracle
That was beautiful, Jay. The whole breaking down, rising from the ashes thing is definitely part of our intended growth process. The fact that it is uncomfortable is not reason enough to get rid of it.
Having said that, there are times when meds are the (last resort) way to go. I definitely know that part all too well, unfortunately. Although, in this case, she isn’t even talking about regular meds, but this other thing that is created to mimic natural processes, or something like that. It may be the best thing since Ben & Jerry’s, but it’s too complex for my puny mind to understand.
Great review, Lisis! I did mine over on my site Hope Springs Internal a few days ago. It’s a great book for those struggling with those times of imbalances.
Positively Present´s last blog ..guest post: 28 steps to a positive & successful life
Hey, Dani! I’ll have to go check that out. I’m curious to read your thoughts about it. Thanks!
What symptoms, exactly, is taking these hormones is expected to treat? And what is the expected result? After taking these hormones, how might one expect to feel?
I agree that the underlying cause of a condition should be treated (rather than the symptom) for best results; but I also believe medicines can be effective.
There’s a wealth of scientific knowledge out there, available for free. I would read the scientific literature, as well as information by and for the common man, in order to determine whether I might want to try a given treatment.
Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Book Review: Female Brain Gone Insane
I believe primarily she deals with menopause-related symptoms, which is why the solution is hormone-specific. There’s some debate about whether one should go with hormone replacement, or these bioidentical hormones, or something along those lines. But, I just wanted a cure for the general “I feel like I’m coming apart at the seams” thing, which happens to all of us… male or female, at any age.
This author might have been better off using a title that is more targeted to menopausal women, or something. It reminds me of Tim Ferriss’ 4 Hour Workweek. That book may have the best advice in the world, but most people can’t get over the title, since he OBVIOUSLY works more than 4 hours in a week. If this book had been called, “Another Way to Treat the Symptoms of Menopause,” then I wouldn’t have read it, but more women who are likely to use this kind of advice probably would.
Hi Lisis – Being a woman of a certain age, I couldn’t help noticing at the end of your post you said, “I’m all for finding Balance, but I can’t quite process what it means to do it this way. Perhaps if I were older, menopausal…” Although I have not read it and I don’t know if it’s aimed at 40-plus women, it seems to me that books like this feed into the notion that there is something wrong with aging, that menopause is abnormal and in fact leads women to become dried up, crazy, witches. And I’m always skeptical of book titles that bring to mind an image of a deranged woman who’s not quite right.
It’s certainly no secret that our society emphasizes youth and beauty for both sexes, but particularly for women. But the thing is, the second half of life is a glorious time if we let ourselves live it instead of try to do it the same way we did the first half. It calls us toward wisdom, meaning, and a deeper relationship with ourselves and our lives. So give me a brisk walk, music, a glimpse of the ocean, dinner with friends. There are just so many others ways to thrive, without HRT.
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays: The Teapot Edition
The feeling I got from it (and I could be totally wrong here) was that as we (women) age, certain hormones start to “dry up” or are in shorter supply, which causes chemical imbalances, which make us feel “not like ourselves” (insane). All of this is basically menopause, right?
So, the target market for this book is “women of a certain age” (I love that, btw!). Then the issue is that she disagrees with the standard medical HRT approach, in favor of this bioidentical hormone tweaking plus certain nutritional changes, etc. I am completely NOT qualified to have an opinion about treatments for menopause because I’m not quite there yet. I don’t even know if menopause requires “treatment” since it seems to be a natural part of the aging process, but what do I know?
I tend to feel that the way to go is what you described in your second paragraph. Exactly. Aging gracefully, to me, means AGING without fighting it. Some people think it means that we look and feel like we did when we were our younger selves. That leads to all sorts of extreme procedures in the desperate attempt to turn back the hands of time.
When I get to “a certain age,” I’m coming to YOU for advice!
Absolutely, menopause is a natural part of the aging process! I so wish the medical model didn’t pathologize it. Because for many women, it’s actually a fantastic time of life. BTW, the French said it first: “Une femme d’un certain age.” Those Parisian women have it figured out!
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays: The Teapot Edition
See? I knew it! Paris is always the answer! “We’ll always have Paris” was wiser than anyone realized at the time.
The title would attract me too and then I would have the same reaction to the bits inside. Sounds like we are the wrong audience. Was it pitched to yer ‘average’ woman or the more scientific folks?
Personally I ‘prefer’ to just fall apart. Time and schedules permitting I allow it to happen so that the cure/explanation/regroup can happen in it’s own time also as naturally as possible. I concede that that is not always easy when you have a stressful or hectic life.
Hey, Rosie… I definitely find the occasional breakdown to be highly therapeutic (for me, not so much my hubby… he’d rather I kept it all together all the time!). But I do think the problem with this book is in the title and definition of their target market. You and I are definitely the wrong audience for this one.
Lisis, thanks for providing your feedback on this. It’s interesting, I have a friend who is a little older and menopausal, and she does all the ‘right’ things – yoga, meditation, eats well, low-stress lifestyle etc., but she got hit with a whopper set of symptoms as she got close to menopause. It seems to be kind of a mystery, who gets hit hard and who glides on through, although all the things she was doing are supposed to help so she kept feeling like she must be doing something ‘wrong’. And she tried all sorts of other healing treatments before turning to bio-identical hormones (which are considered the more ‘natural’ alternative to the purely manufactured ones usually offered by doctors I guess.) Then she finally did, and after some adjustment period and tweaking, all her symptoms are gone and she feels great. So I guess this stuff really does work, and really is necessary for some woman.
I am hoping I’m not one of them – wine in Paris with friends sound much better to me too – but we’ll see.
But I also don’t want all this technical info. So I appreciate the insight on this book (sounds like they kind of mistitled it here) – and hope I don’t ever need any of the stuff in it!!
Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..10 Things I’ve Learned (or Think) About 2012…
Hey, Lisa! Thanks for mentioning this example. I had a feeling this book… this sort of alternate approach to menopause, would be perfect for some women. I really hope I won’t be one of them. I’m not sure how much more tweaking my brain can handle!
As for the title, I guess what all the blogging gurus say is true: Titles (headlines) are the most important part of our writing, if we want to attract and keep the right readers!
Oh….just realized that it is about the menopause….not sure how I missed that bit. But as natural as possible would still be the way for me – unless I was climbing up the walls!
I know how you missed it… the same way I did. Because the book SEEMS like it would be for ALL women. I think that’s why I was disappointed when I read it. I really wanted some good answers for ME!I’m sticking with Paris, chocolate, and good friends.
I have to agree with everybody else here…
Despite what the drug companies would like us to believe, quick fixes rarely work – not in a permanent or healthy way anyway, and obviously, the less chemicals we put into our bodies the better.
As you & other commenters have already said, if you’re on an emotional or mental roller coaster for some reason, the real solution is to find the cause & deal with it instead of trying to suppress the symptoms through some treatment that probably has a multitude of side effects that will require even more treatment.
There’s plenty we can do to help ourselves without having to rely on chemical fixes. Maintaining a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, getting enough (but not too much) quality sleep, eliminating any negative factors in our lives that we can and accepting or moderating the affects of those that we can’t, exercising regularly (sorry Lisis – I know how you feel about that one), and realising that happiness is a journey not a goal, can go a long way towards keeping our stress levels down and helping us keep in good mental, emotional and physical condition.
Hey, Steve! I love your very balanced approach to this issue (particularly as it even includes the Lisis disclaimer in there!). I have to believe that this book was intended for a very specific target market who may, in fact, benefit greatly from it. I just don’t think it was branded appropriately… or something.
However, I’m still holding out for the quick fix I expected to find in this book: Hermione’s magic wand. Surely that would work, right? If I had that, I REALLY wouldn’t have to exercise at all!
I feel like this is a case of bait and switch. The title appeals to the widest audience possible (any/all women who feel as if they’re “falling apart”), but the content of the book is obviously targeted to “women of a certain age” (menopausal women). The web site (the link from the book cover in this post) actually says “Menopause and Hormone News” way up at the top, but it is almost out of view.
Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Book Review: Female Brain Gone Insane
I kind of do too, but I don’t think it was intentional. I really think it was just a poor choice in title… or a bit too ambiguous, considering the nature of the treatments discussed.
I tried to include as many links to the author’s sources as possible (more than I would usually include in a review) thinking that any women who are in this target market could learn more about this alternative directly from the author.
Thanks for checking them out, btw.
Interesting post. I respect your opinion of it but I did not quite see it this way.
I will be reviewing it next week & I actually took it different than your commenters. Maybe due to my age. I felt that a woman of any age, PMS, perimenopause or menopause could learn from it. I also did not think she was saying anything is wrong with aging BUT that our bodies do change & here is some help to get you through. I thought she was actually saying you can still live & be fine if you have hormone issues this bad at any age.
Our hormones start changing in our 30’s & many of us have PMS although not as bad as she mentioned. There were suggestions for all.
I was not thrilled with the constant reference back to her site & a LOT of things a person should take BUT I know I have had a very difficult time with perimenopause (has been going on for at least 5-4 years & changing constantly) but not as bad as some in the book & sometimes, it takes getting those hormones back in balance to get thru it. I have known people that have had VERY bad issues not just with PMS but also with perimenopause like me & those with menopause.
It is hard for people that are not going thru this really bad stuff to understand how hard it is. AND, it can start as early as late 30’s to early 40’s.
She said in the beginning that she was not thrilled with the title because it made it seem like women were going crazy when in fact she wanted to show that it is nothing like this & there are ways to feel good & whole again if you get that bad.
I have not used anything yet but believe me, there were times when I wished I had something to get rid of some of the hormone craziness!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Diet & Exercise Help; Beautiful Blogger Award
Hi, Jody! Thanks for joining this conversation. I was especially curious to hear from others who read or were reviewing the book, since I figured it’s probably EXACTLY what some women are looking for.
I believe you are right in that it would be really hard for anyone who hasn’t experienced this hormonal shift to understand how hard it can be and what is possible in terms of solutions. The problem is that the title is meant to capture the attention of ALL women who feel like they are falling apart, but the solution offered is not really intended for ALL women.
During my teens and early 20’s I was an emotional wreck, fitting many of the symptoms she described in the book, but that’s not to say I needed to mess with my hormones and brain chemicals. At that age I just needed to make some better choices (and maybe date considerate guys who didn’t emotionally rake me over the coals). But even at that age, had I heard about this book, I would’ve bought it based on the title… and would have been disappointed.
The title choice is especially unfortunate considering SHE didn’t like it. But, it is what it is and, as such, I believe it is best suited for menopausal or highly hormonal women who have tried all the lifestyle changes without success. This book definitely offers hope for those women.
I, however, am still seeking my emergency guide (and magic wand). Perhaps I should give Paris with a try!
Thanks for your awesome comment!
I am loooking for a permanent Hawaii vacation to help me!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Diet & Exercise Help; Beautiful Blogger Award
Oh, yeah… me too! I’m going to alternate between fabulous cities and beautiful beaches, just to make sure I stay well-balanced.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LisisMB and Lyman Reed, Victoria Nwobodo. Victoria Nwobodo said: RT @Serene_Balance: My Review of Female Brain Gone Insane (and convo about feeling like we're falling apart) http://bit.ly/6juzXK [...]
Hi Lisis,
As you know, I am part of the blog tour for this book too. It was interesting to read your thoughts. Very cool.
Personally, I prefer a spiritual solution since all physical issues usually are a result of some inharmony within the body. That said, I do think some people need the medical solutions because it is best for them.
It just depends on the person. And btw, spiritual solution in my mind means looking within and seeing where is the inharmony and working at the cause. Emotions left unchecked do effect the body on some level. At least, that is my opinion.
Hey, Nadia! I couldn’t find the virtual tour schedule in my gmail… have you posted already? I’d love to read your thoughts about it. I definitely think some women need, or will benefit from, this advice… maybe even me, one day.
I didn’t post on it yet. My review will be in exactly two weeks. Today I have my review for the Don Lattin book “The Harvard Psychedelic Club”.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..The 60’s & The Harvard Psychedelic Club
That book is right up my alley, not to mention females do have insane brains. Ooops, sorry.
I have many years of education in this specific stuff. I love everything neurological and chemical. The effects of stress on the body are profound and something to seriously think about. I should write a post on stress, but then again it may get too crazy and long.
Anyway… Most books I read are very technical and this sounds like one I would absolutely love to check out.
Hmm… there’s a fine line between genius and insanity, my friend.
You know, considering the sort of books you like, and the subjects you’re interested, you may actually enjoy it. If you do end up reading it, I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on it.
I thought I would just mention that I always believe we need to find peace within BUT saying that, some of the physical problems that come with hormone imbalance are just not going to be fixed by that alone when they get too bad. Again saying this from a person that has gone thru them & has not taken anything for it, I wish at times I had because it can get pretty bad.
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Hey, Quickie Abs & Legs!
Absolutely, Jody… I definitely know there are those who will need medical/ scientific intervention at some point. Not a thing wrong with doing what you’ve gotta do to get through.
Just got you on my feed reader and I’m catching up on some of your posts. I can get behind this, “My kind of insanity seeks simple answers like: doing less, relaxing, meditating, yoga, chocolate ice cream, and sharing a bottle of wine with my best friends in Paris.” Let’s make a date for Paris
Trish Scott – LillyotheField´s last blog ..I’m Having a Moment…
Trish, darling, you’ve been on my “Invite to Paris” list since I first found you on David’s passion paradox response. Every time I see one of your comments I think, “Now THIS is a woman worth getting to know.”
[...] January 13: Quest for Balance [...]
Lisis, my apologies for being so super-late to the party! Thank you for the review and for this amazing conversation it generated! We really appreciate all the time and energy you put into reading and reviewing Female Brain. Thank you so much!
[...] Wednesday, January 13th: Quest for Balance [...]
[...] hadn’t heard of the book “Female Brain Gone Insaneâ€, but having read this review of it, I don’t think it’ll be a book for [...]
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