Female Brain Gone Insane – A Book Review

I finally made it back to this long promised book review on the Female Brain Gone Insane: An Emergency Guide For Women Who Feel Like They Are Falling Apart by Mia Lundin, Nurse Practioner.  I suspect by now that many of you may have bought the book already and are getting some use out of it.  If you have, I’m sure you will have found it as helpful, resourceful and insightful as I have.

There is nothing like “walking in those shoes” when it comes to giving advice or suggestions to people who are coping with or dealing with one of life’s trials or challenges.  Having “been there done that” as we say in our modern vernacular, Mia Lundin is able to write with an empathetic compassion.  Oftentimes, our own difficulties drive us to reach out to others (which is why I began my own blogs on perimenopause  and life changes) and the mutual experience brings an authenticity that often lacks in those who haven’t felt what you are feeling.

Mia’s challenges with perimenopause began many years ago when the topic was not as talked about or even really understood as it is today.  Certainly, the idea of bioidentical hormones was not a front and center option in the early 90′s as it is now.  We’ve come a very long way since then and it is people like Mia who have helped get us here.

As a nurse practitioner, and founder of  The Center for Hormonal and Nutritional Balance, Inc.,  Mia brings her medical experience and authority to the table as well.  Yet, she is able to explain in pretty simple and easy to understand terms what can be a very complicated and confusing time for so many women.  I particularly liked the suggestion that we chart our emotions and feelings along with our physcial symptoms with our monthly cycle so that we can get a concrete look at the pattern of our hormonal changes and corresponding emotional and physical changes as well. Sometimes, being able to “see” something rather than continue to think of it in the abstract brings a greater understanding of what is happening. 

Mia’s focus is to determine the actual chemical cause of our symptoms, rather than just treat them.  Because, let’s face it, a bandaid won’t do during perimenopause.  The cause is too convoluted and the symptoms can be at times severe.  So, a superficial approach like just treating symptoms doesn’t really help us feel and be well. 

In dealing with our chemistry Mia  addresses the “whole person” and the “big picture” by not only suggesting bioidentical hormones to balance out the estrogen and progesterone, but also a variety of supplements in the form of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and specific food choices.  Mia also provides what she calls “Mia’s Mantras” to help encourage and redirect our thinking as well.  Certainly, our self-statements have a huge impact on how we feel and if we are convinced we are going “crazy”, those negative, self-defeating thoughts only compound a very difficult situation.   

In addition, Mia addresses the thyroid and adrenal connection in this hormonal circus.  Many of us, myself included, fail to realize or even know how much our thyroid and adrenal glands affect how we feel.  That utterly exhausted and drained feeling that we oftentimes experience?  Stressed thyroid and adrenal glands could very well be the culprit. 

Finally, the personal case studies that she presents certainly humanizes the information as we can see how others have felt and how Mia approached helping them.  She certainly doesn’t buy into the one-size-fits-all mentality and in her approach treats each person individually.  As we all know, off-the-rack works okay if you fit the target demographic, but if you have specific needs, specifically tailored works best.  Certainly when it comes to something like perimenopause, a more individualized and tailored approach is best.

The Take-Away Value: Two Thumbs Up

Female Brain Gone Insane: An Emergency Guide For Women Who Feel Like They Are Falling Apart offers up to date medical information presented by a woman who has experienced hormones gone wild coupled with her own medical training and experience.  You really can’t go wrong.  I would definitely suggest you pick up a copy of the book today and take charge of your own hormonal health.

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Just a note to remind everyone that this will be the last post I do here at The Magnolia Diaries on perimenopause.  I began  The Perimenopause Blog  to focus specifically on perimenopause.  Because of the volume of traffic that comes to my blog looking for information on the topic, I decided to launch a blog that is completely devoted to it.

The Magnolia Diaries  will continue it’s original intent and focus of women’s issues at middle age.  Certainly, for me, when I began this blog, perimenopause was an issue and so I blogged about it.  But, as I get closer and closer to menopause (oh, please Lord Jesus, come quick) the need for me to discuss perimenopause is less of an issue. 

I am certain I will blog about actual menopause here when it actually comes, but until then, please find more posts and information on perimenopause at The Perimenopause Blog.

But, do continue to come back to The Magnolia Dairies, Volume II to keep up with my adventures in mid-life!

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