We’ve all heard the phrase “chemical imbalance.” For years, it’s been the dominant narrative around depression—especially for women.
But what if that story is incomplete?
In A Mind of Your Own, Dr. Kelly Brogan—a psychiatrist with a background in functional medicine—challenges the standard model of mental health. She argues that depression is not simply a serotonin deficiency, but often a symptom of deeper physiological dysfunction, including inflammation, gut dysfunction, nutrient depletion, blood sugar instability, thyroid issues, nutrient depletion, and toxic overload.
Depression as a Whole-Body Condition
Dr. Brogan’s central thesis is that depression is not a diagnosis to manage—it’s a signal. A warning light. A wake-up call that something deeper is happening in the body.
She grounds her argument in science, highlighting connections like:
- Chronic inflammation as a root driver of mood symptoms
- The connection between the gut microbiome, nutrient status, and the brain
- The impact of blood sugar swings, environmental toxins, thyroid dysfunction, stress, and sleep on mental resilience
It’s not just about neurotransmitters. It’s about how our bodies function as an ecosystem—and how modern life (processed food, environmental toxins, chronic stress) disrupts that balance.
Beyond Meds: Rethinking Antidepressants
Dr. Brogan critiques the overuse of antidepressants from a functional and long-term perspective. She acknowledges they can provide short-term relief, but warns that they often mask symptoms rather than address root causes, and may even interfere with the body’s ability to self-regulate over time. Discontinuing them can also be more difficult and destabilizing than many people expect.
She’s not anti-medication. She’s pro informed choice—and she offers a roadmap for those looking to either titrate off antidepressants safely or explore healing through real food, blood sugar balance, nervous system regulation, supplementation, thyroid support and detoxification.
The 30-Day Holistic Reset
The heart of the book is a 30-day action plan that lays out a comprehensive lifestyle approach to healing. It’s structured but flexible, and includes five key areas:
1. Dietary Changes
- Focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods to nourish the brain and reduce inflammation
- Eliminate processed foods, gluten, sugar, and industrial seed oils (all known triggers for inflammation and gut disruption)
- Prioritize high-quality protein (vital for neurotransmitter production and muscle maintenance, especially after 50)
- Pause alcohol to better understand its effect on mood and nervous system regulation
2. Targeted Supplements
- Address underlying nutrient deficiencies (think magnesium, B12, omega-3s)
- Support mitochondrial and brain function with targeted nutrients and high-quality supplements.
3. Detox & Clean Living
- Reduce exposure to toxins in food, water, personal care, and the home environment
- Hydrate with filtered water. Reduce plastic use, and be mindful of mold exposure in your environment.
4. Sleep as Therapy
- Prioritize deep, consistent sleep
- Create a bedtime routine that supports recovery and emotional stability
- Recognize that even mild sleep deprivation can worsen mood, cravings, and anxiety.
5. Stress & Mind-Body Practices
- Practice mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, or other gentle movement
- Create space for stillness—something many of us forget to prioritize in midlife
A Mind of Your Own doesn’t promise a miracle cure—but it invites you to take back agency over your mental health by addressing what’s happening inside your body, not just your mind.
Especially for women over 50—navigating hormone shifts, sleep challenges, mood swings, and grief layered over already full lives—it offers a refreshing, functional perspective. Sometimes what we need isn’t a prescription. It’s a physiological reset.
This isn’t about shame or blame. It’s about curiosity, self-compassion, and realizing that maybe what we were told about depression wasn’t the whole story.
If you’re looking for a whole-body lens on mood—or feel like medication hasn’t addressed the full picture—A Mind of Your Own is worth a read.
“You can’t drug your way out of a problem you behaved your way into.”
— Dr. Kelly Brogan
Ready to Explore a Lifestyle-Based Approach?
📍Eat to Feel Good
📍Feel to Heal
📍The 30-Day Reset
