Beyond Prozac is a very readable, thought-provoking & hard-hitting book. Terry Lynch, the author, a medical doctor with 18 years of experience, is convinced that doctors prescribe tranquilizers & anti-depressants far too easily. Doctors lead patients to believe that depression is due to a bio-chemical imbalance in the brain which can be righted by drugs. In fact, the shocking truth, as the book clearly explains, is that there is no such evidence in medical research to prove this. By putting patients on addictive drugs, doctors simply mask their problems. Doctors do not always explain that these drugs can be highly addictive. Very few doctors spend enough time with their patients & try to explore the real cause of their depression with them. This book sets out to show that while medication has a place, it is not the answer. In fact, it is only part of the solution. Terry Lynch cites many interesting case-histories which show that patients gained far more by having someone who would listen & not judge or blame them, who made them feel safe & who completely accepted that were very good reasons why one might feel depressed or indeed suicidal. He points out that a secure therapeutic relationship is far more preferable & effective than the drug route. This is a very compassionate book & is a must for anyone who themselves or whose family and/or friends have ever struggled with depression or anxiety. To those who feel there is no other route but that of medication, this book is a ray of light & hope in the dark tunnel of mental anxiety & I would highly recommend it.