Based on Cutting-Edge Brain Imaging Science - Healing Anxiety and Depression
ByDaniel G. Amen M.D.
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Readers` Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
timmi b
After page 186, the book repeats pages 123 through 186. After the second page 186, the book jumps right to page 251. Page 187 through page page 250 are missing from the book. The information I was able to look through was really great. There must have been problems with the printing.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
melinda beasi
UPDATE: I have continued to listen to it and found 2 cons. One is that at the end of each disc it does not say "Play next CD" or anything like that, it just starts from Track 01 on that disc and when you are driving it is easy to not notice until you realize he is mentioning things you have already heard. My biggest con is on Disc 2, Track 08, it mentions a study electroshocking dogs. I do not believe in animal testing due to the recent studies proving how unreliable they are and just morally it disgusts me. I have a beagle myself and he is in my family and I would never allow someone to electroshock him just to see if he jumped over the barrier. It mentions how some dogs did not jump over the barrier after being electroshocked and instead whimpered and that is supposed to show up how they have negative thoughts. If someone elctroshocked me in a cage I would absolutely whimper and cower in the corner, that's not "negative thinking", that being realistic and hurt. This mentioned study has made me rethink this entire CD. It's funny how a person would be arrested for animal abuse if they electroshocked animals several times to "see what they would do", yet whoever conducted this "study" does not apply to those rules. Laws should apply to everyone including big businesses. 2 stars.
I have only begun listening during my daily commute to and from work and really have enjoyed it. My one wish is that there was more energy and enthusiasm in the speaker. While he speaks very clearly, it sometimes sounds monotonous which is hard to stay focus on while driving. It is easy to tune out monotonous sounds while driving because our brain often prefers to be in "autopilot" mode. Those moments where you end up at home and don't really remember the drive as much that's when your brain is switched to "autopilot" so on my commutes which I do every day I have to refocus my attention every once and a year if I catch myself on autopilot mode or if I start to day dream. Otherwise so far I have found it very interesting. 4 stars
I have only begun listening during my daily commute to and from work and really have enjoyed it. My one wish is that there was more energy and enthusiasm in the speaker. While he speaks very clearly, it sometimes sounds monotonous which is hard to stay focus on while driving. It is easy to tune out monotonous sounds while driving because our brain often prefers to be in "autopilot" mode. Those moments where you end up at home and don't really remember the drive as much that's when your brain is switched to "autopilot" so on my commutes which I do every day I have to refocus my attention every once and a year if I catch myself on autopilot mode or if I start to day dream. Otherwise so far I have found it very interesting. 4 stars
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
kristy grazioso
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I was disappointed by this book to the point of being unable to finish it. This book makes several interesting arguments that initially piqued my interest, including:
- Diagnostic tools like SPECT studies are underutilized in psychiatry.
- There are actually multiple types of anxiety and depression, and which kind you have is important to your treatment plan.
- Brain imaging techniques can be used for both diagnosis and treatment by identifying overactive and underactive regions of the brain.
These are introduced in the beginning as if they will be key ideas of the book. Unfortunately, in the parts of the book arguing for these conclusions, details are frustratingly sparse. Maybe it got better later in the book, but I eventually got too frustrated by the poor examples and arguments to finish the book.
For example, he gives one example of a patient he saw who, based on her symptoms, was very obviously bipolar (even to me as a non-psychiatrist). This would be an easy diagnosis for any qualified clinician. The obvious treatment would be a mood stabilizer. He announces that, based on his SPECT study, the patient was bipolar and the appropriate treatment was lithium. Now there's a shocker for you. And oh, by the way, he admits in passing that a previous doctor had made the exact same diagnosis (presumably without using a SPECT study) and had prescribed the exact same medication - apparently with success. The only difference was that Dr. Amen was able to use the SPECT study to improve patient compliance with the treatment plan, which has little to do with his original argument. This example seemed like a classic "bait-and-switch" argument (not to mention a red herring); he's trying to argue that SPECT studies should be used more often because they improve diagnosis and treatment, but in this example it made no difference whatsoever to either of those. It's a very obvious diagnosis and a completely standard treatment plan - nothing the least bit special about it.
I did not find his other examples especially compelling either, as Amen generally fails to explain how the SPECT studies actually improved the diagnosis or treatment plan. Most of his examples amounted to "the patient was depressed and I prescribed Zoloft" type examples. Fine - but lots of people could've seen that the patient was depressed, and lots of people would prescribe Zoloft. What made him think that Zoloft was a better medication for that kind of depression than, say, Lexapro or Prozac?
Overall, this book had a lot of potential, but it didn't deliver on it well enough to be worth finishing.
- Diagnostic tools like SPECT studies are underutilized in psychiatry.
- There are actually multiple types of anxiety and depression, and which kind you have is important to your treatment plan.
- Brain imaging techniques can be used for both diagnosis and treatment by identifying overactive and underactive regions of the brain.
These are introduced in the beginning as if they will be key ideas of the book. Unfortunately, in the parts of the book arguing for these conclusions, details are frustratingly sparse. Maybe it got better later in the book, but I eventually got too frustrated by the poor examples and arguments to finish the book.
For example, he gives one example of a patient he saw who, based on her symptoms, was very obviously bipolar (even to me as a non-psychiatrist). This would be an easy diagnosis for any qualified clinician. The obvious treatment would be a mood stabilizer. He announces that, based on his SPECT study, the patient was bipolar and the appropriate treatment was lithium. Now there's a shocker for you. And oh, by the way, he admits in passing that a previous doctor had made the exact same diagnosis (presumably without using a SPECT study) and had prescribed the exact same medication - apparently with success. The only difference was that Dr. Amen was able to use the SPECT study to improve patient compliance with the treatment plan, which has little to do with his original argument. This example seemed like a classic "bait-and-switch" argument (not to mention a red herring); he's trying to argue that SPECT studies should be used more often because they improve diagnosis and treatment, but in this example it made no difference whatsoever to either of those. It's a very obvious diagnosis and a completely standard treatment plan - nothing the least bit special about it.
I did not find his other examples especially compelling either, as Amen generally fails to explain how the SPECT studies actually improved the diagnosis or treatment plan. Most of his examples amounted to "the patient was depressed and I prescribed Zoloft" type examples. Fine - but lots of people could've seen that the patient was depressed, and lots of people would prescribe Zoloft. What made him think that Zoloft was a better medication for that kind of depression than, say, Lexapro or Prozac?
Overall, this book had a lot of potential, but it didn't deliver on it well enough to be worth finishing.
Ignite Your Energy and Focus - Transform Pain into Purpose :: Supercharging Yours for Better Health - and Sex :: 40 Days to a Healthier Life - The Daniel Plan Study Guide :: The Amen Clinic Program for Achieving and Sustaining Optimal Mental Performance :: How Its Unique Patterns Affect the Way You Think - and Live--and How You Can Change Them
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
hamed mostafavi
Many books are one-sided arguments for the causes of depression and anxiety. According to these biased books, depressions stems from:
Past child abuse and other negative environment factors
Holding your body in a depressing way - bent down, frowning, etc.
Medical causes
Poor diet, lack of exercise
Isolation
Fill in the blank
But this book is different.
Healing Anxiety and Depression is a refreshing book, for it takes all of the above factors and mixes it into a complete approach to the causes and treatment of anxiety and depression.
Moreover, Daniel Amen, M.D. and his co-author, Lisa C. Routh, M.D. have pioneered the use of a brain imaging technology known as SPECT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. This interesting brain scanning method is different than other methods because it allows one to see how certain parts of the brain interact to cause these debilitating conditions. Other
methods of brain imaging only give a surface view of the brain - which is of very little use for psychiatry.
The authors also touch upon how these areas of the brain cause insomnia, suicide and violence as well. They also point out the different causes of anxiety and depression between the genders. They convincingly describe gender differences from social, psychological, and biological perspectives.
In short: they give you the full picture on depression from every possible angle - literally. In between the pages, interspersed among case histories, personal stories, and scientific explanations, you will find actual pictures of the five areas of the brain they have focused on via SPECT technology:
1.) Basal Ganglia
2.) Deep Limbic System
3.) Anterior Cingulate Gyrus
4.) Temporal Lobes
5.) Prefrontal Cortex
Furthermore, the authors have taken these five areas of the brain, and through thousands of their own patients, compiled their findings on how these five areas interact to cause seven variations of depression and anxiety:
1.) Pure Anxiety
2.) Pure Depression
3.) Mixed Anxiety and Depression
4.) Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
5.) Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
6.) Angry Anxiety/Depression
7.) Unfocused Anxiety/Depression
There's only one drawback to this book: the technical terms can be a bit annoying. I constantly flipped back to beginning chapters to refresh my memory on what they were talking about. The medications and dosages - and their variations, are mind-boggling. Ask your doctor about them.
Despite this, the book is worth the extra memory and concentration required to comprehend it.
It's very empowering too: Dr. Amen is a strong advocate for natural supplements, exercise, and deep diaphragmatic breathing. He also gives the reader a simple, flexible, easy-to-follow diet that'll maximize your brain function. More wisely, however, he directs you towards a way of eating that's based not on a one-size-fits-all mentality, but a diet that is focused on your
particular type of anxiety and/or depression.
He also has his own version of cognitive therapy: ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and ANTeaters, developed by Amen as a child psychiatrist to help make the ideas a bit more concrete for children. Amen's short chapter on the power of thoughts can help you take more responsibility for your own
thinking.
Closing with "32 Strategies to Overcome Anxiety and Depression," along with a chart summarizing "diagnostic and treatment principles," this book will give you the real knowledge you need to manage your life on a whole new level.
Past child abuse and other negative environment factors
Holding your body in a depressing way - bent down, frowning, etc.
Medical causes
Poor diet, lack of exercise
Isolation
Fill in the blank
But this book is different.
Healing Anxiety and Depression is a refreshing book, for it takes all of the above factors and mixes it into a complete approach to the causes and treatment of anxiety and depression.
Moreover, Daniel Amen, M.D. and his co-author, Lisa C. Routh, M.D. have pioneered the use of a brain imaging technology known as SPECT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. This interesting brain scanning method is different than other methods because it allows one to see how certain parts of the brain interact to cause these debilitating conditions. Other
methods of brain imaging only give a surface view of the brain - which is of very little use for psychiatry.
The authors also touch upon how these areas of the brain cause insomnia, suicide and violence as well. They also point out the different causes of anxiety and depression between the genders. They convincingly describe gender differences from social, psychological, and biological perspectives.
In short: they give you the full picture on depression from every possible angle - literally. In between the pages, interspersed among case histories, personal stories, and scientific explanations, you will find actual pictures of the five areas of the brain they have focused on via SPECT technology:
1.) Basal Ganglia
2.) Deep Limbic System
3.) Anterior Cingulate Gyrus
4.) Temporal Lobes
5.) Prefrontal Cortex
Furthermore, the authors have taken these five areas of the brain, and through thousands of their own patients, compiled their findings on how these five areas interact to cause seven variations of depression and anxiety:
1.) Pure Anxiety
2.) Pure Depression
3.) Mixed Anxiety and Depression
4.) Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
5.) Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
6.) Angry Anxiety/Depression
7.) Unfocused Anxiety/Depression
There's only one drawback to this book: the technical terms can be a bit annoying. I constantly flipped back to beginning chapters to refresh my memory on what they were talking about. The medications and dosages - and their variations, are mind-boggling. Ask your doctor about them.
Despite this, the book is worth the extra memory and concentration required to comprehend it.
It's very empowering too: Dr. Amen is a strong advocate for natural supplements, exercise, and deep diaphragmatic breathing. He also gives the reader a simple, flexible, easy-to-follow diet that'll maximize your brain function. More wisely, however, he directs you towards a way of eating that's based not on a one-size-fits-all mentality, but a diet that is focused on your
particular type of anxiety and/or depression.
He also has his own version of cognitive therapy: ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and ANTeaters, developed by Amen as a child psychiatrist to help make the ideas a bit more concrete for children. Amen's short chapter on the power of thoughts can help you take more responsibility for your own
thinking.
Closing with "32 Strategies to Overcome Anxiety and Depression," along with a chart summarizing "diagnostic and treatment principles," this book will give you the real knowledge you need to manage your life on a whole new level.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
s m oberhansley
Healing Anxiety and Depression is one of the most scientifically valid discussions of these disorders. Dr. Amen's use of SPECT brain scans to analyze "emotional" and "behavioral" disorders is a welcome contrast to the speculative theories which have dominated treatment of anxiety and depression. This book is generously illustrated with SPECT brain scans of actual patients and clearly reveals physical imbalances in brain blood flow distribution. More importantly, the scans show improved function, with appropriate treatment.
Psychiatry is the only medical speciality which does not routinely examine, image or measure the organ system, which it treats. Functional brain scans and neurotransmitter testing are finally moving psychiatric treatment beyond the trial and error guessing it has been mired in, for decades. Amazingly, SPECT gamma ray cameras are available in almost every hospital cardiac unit, where they are used for cardiac stress tests. Hopefully, they will begin receiving additional use, for brain scanning.
Interestingly, Dr. Amen has included a SPECT scan of his brain. Inclusion of his own scan speaks volumes, concerning the safety of SPECT brain scans. We will probably wait a long time before we learn of anyone practicing electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), who has submitted to their ECT electro shock therapy.
The scans and case histories reveal the reality of disorders including traumatic brain injury, depression, pernicious anemia, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, ectasy and marijuana abuse. Improvements produced by diverse treatments including Prozac, Lamictal, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and St. John's Wort are clearly revealed in scan images. The image of impaired blood flow distribution, due to Xanax will confirm what many suspect-Benzodiazepine medications impair brain function.
Amen and Routh provide an overview of diverse treatments including most pharmaceutical treaments and many nutritional and herbal treatments, in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, systematic desensitization, biofeedback, exercise, deep breathing and EMDR.
This book was published in 2003, before the sleepwalking syndromes associated with Ambien became more widely publicized and Lunesta became available as a safer alternative. Although Amen and Routh recommend GABA supplements, for anxiety, GABA seldom crosses the blood-brain barrier, and we have seldom found an anxious patient, who responds to GABA supplements. Neurotransmitter profiles of anxious patients indicate excess glutamate causes more anxiety than deficient GABA levels.
Florida Detox has referred patients to Amen Clinics, for SPECT brain scans and the scans have revealed useful clinical information, especially when patients suffered severe anxiety or had multiple chemical dependencies.
I suspect many readers would like to see a larger, expanded version of this book, with more case histories and scans. After performing over 50,000 SPECT scans, Amen Clinics certainly possesses the scans and case histories needed for a larger sequel to this book.
Steven Sponaugle
Psychiatry is the only medical speciality which does not routinely examine, image or measure the organ system, which it treats. Functional brain scans and neurotransmitter testing are finally moving psychiatric treatment beyond the trial and error guessing it has been mired in, for decades. Amazingly, SPECT gamma ray cameras are available in almost every hospital cardiac unit, where they are used for cardiac stress tests. Hopefully, they will begin receiving additional use, for brain scanning.
Interestingly, Dr. Amen has included a SPECT scan of his brain. Inclusion of his own scan speaks volumes, concerning the safety of SPECT brain scans. We will probably wait a long time before we learn of anyone practicing electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), who has submitted to their ECT electro shock therapy.
The scans and case histories reveal the reality of disorders including traumatic brain injury, depression, pernicious anemia, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, ectasy and marijuana abuse. Improvements produced by diverse treatments including Prozac, Lamictal, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and St. John's Wort are clearly revealed in scan images. The image of impaired blood flow distribution, due to Xanax will confirm what many suspect-Benzodiazepine medications impair brain function.
Amen and Routh provide an overview of diverse treatments including most pharmaceutical treaments and many nutritional and herbal treatments, in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, systematic desensitization, biofeedback, exercise, deep breathing and EMDR.
This book was published in 2003, before the sleepwalking syndromes associated with Ambien became more widely publicized and Lunesta became available as a safer alternative. Although Amen and Routh recommend GABA supplements, for anxiety, GABA seldom crosses the blood-brain barrier, and we have seldom found an anxious patient, who responds to GABA supplements. Neurotransmitter profiles of anxious patients indicate excess glutamate causes more anxiety than deficient GABA levels.
Florida Detox has referred patients to Amen Clinics, for SPECT brain scans and the scans have revealed useful clinical information, especially when patients suffered severe anxiety or had multiple chemical dependencies.
I suspect many readers would like to see a larger, expanded version of this book, with more case histories and scans. After performing over 50,000 SPECT scans, Amen Clinics certainly possesses the scans and case histories needed for a larger sequel to this book.
Steven Sponaugle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mateo
Finally a book that is excellent for both people who suffer from anxiety and those who struggle to understand what their loved ones are going through! Professionals of all types from M.D.'s to Ph.D.'s will find themselves having to honestly face whether or not the theories and therapies they hold tightly too are actually the best medically, psychologically, and spiritually for their patients. Each person that reads Dr. Amen's book will find themselves as informed and at times more informed than the professionals they deal with. They will find themselves realizing that the anxiety that their family and friends are living with is not simply a matter of "willpower" , "better thinking", "the right amount of prayer",but that a balanced brain chemistry will aid the other interventions in actually working! Improperly treated anxiety can destroy job performance, kill sexual desire, rip apart marriages, make chronic pain conditions unmanageable, and parenting a nightmare. Dr.Amen's work continues to be the leading edge of the burgeoning new field of the neurobiology of brain and phyiscal health and relational growth!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jennifer tarle
Important MUST READ for anyone struggling with feelings of anxiety and/or depression--and valuable for family members to understand and help loved ones who are suffering. Such a relief to understand the complexity of brain chemistry and what causes debilitating feelings. Easy to read and understand, with step-by-step solutions for healing and moving forward. Valuable for everyone from the family to the physician!
-Jacqueline Marcell, Author 'Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents', International Speaker on Eldercare & Alzheimer's
-Jacqueline Marcell, Author 'Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents', International Speaker on Eldercare & Alzheimer's
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
krista ling
Important MUST READ for anyone struggling with feelings of anxiety and/or depression--and valuable for family members to understand and help loved ones who are suffering. Such a relief to understand the complexity of brain chemistry and what causes debilitating feelings. Easy to read and understand, with step-by-step solutions for healing and moving forward. Valuable for everyone from the family to the physician!
-Jacqueline Marcell, Author 'Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents', International Speaker on Eldercare & Alzheimer's
-Jacqueline Marcell, Author 'Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents', International Speaker on Eldercare & Alzheimer's
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
debishima
This comprehensive review of the specific physical, brain presentations of depression and anxiety takes emotional illness out of the quagmire of possibilities into real medical science. "Healing Anxiety and Depression" is another of Amen's ground breaking reviews of the value of SPECT scans for not only understanding the brain origins of these problems, but also can provide answers regarding the effectiveness of specific medications as well. If you know someone who doubts that these problems are real or can be fixed, just send them to the sections regarding treatment results. If you are a therapist and interested in the most recent advances in differential diagnosis, this book will take you into the future of mental health diagnosis and treatment. Amen makes difficult concepts understandable and easily applicable to the kinds of difficulties we see in everyday clinical practice.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
john kissell
Dr. Amen has done it again!!
'Healing Anxiety and Depression' is a contribution to the general public as well as the scientific world. Dr. Daniel Amen is responsible for many scientific advancements in psychiatric neuroimaging and this book continues to teach us about his innovative research. There is no reason why mental disorder should be treated any differently than other medical disorders: one must know what is going on before offering treatment. Dr. Amen and Dr. Roth allow us to 'see,' by virtue of brain SPECT imaging, what is truly going on in the brain. With the knowledge gained from this book, we as clinicians are now better equipped in treating the anxiety and depression SPECIFIC to each individual. At the same time, this book teaches the general public how to better deal with these issues that invariably face them at some point in their lives.
For those acustomed to Dr. Amen's breakthrough research, this book is a treat. For those new to the field of psychiatric neuroimaging, this is a great place to start!
'Healing Anxiety and Depression' is a contribution to the general public as well as the scientific world. Dr. Daniel Amen is responsible for many scientific advancements in psychiatric neuroimaging and this book continues to teach us about his innovative research. There is no reason why mental disorder should be treated any differently than other medical disorders: one must know what is going on before offering treatment. Dr. Amen and Dr. Roth allow us to 'see,' by virtue of brain SPECT imaging, what is truly going on in the brain. With the knowledge gained from this book, we as clinicians are now better equipped in treating the anxiety and depression SPECIFIC to each individual. At the same time, this book teaches the general public how to better deal with these issues that invariably face them at some point in their lives.
For those acustomed to Dr. Amen's breakthrough research, this book is a treat. For those new to the field of psychiatric neuroimaging, this is a great place to start!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
pilsna
Revolutionizing Behavioral Health, Dr. Amen has tackled the very complex issues of anxiety and depression and reduced them to understandable and treatable concepts validated and supported by objective SPECT study findings. Clinicians will be amazed at the potential for holistic healing outlined in the various chapters. Millions of Americans and individuals around the world can benefit from the easily readable format. Readers can self-assess and coordinate with their providers to begin treatment regimens which will no doubt be life changing. "Healing Anxiety and Depression" will be responsible for easing a multitude of symptoms and for contributing immeasurably to the alleviation of considerable personal and interpersonal suffering. Once again, Dr. Amen has moved the profession beyond the cutting edge.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
megan bettis
Dr. Amen, pioneer and inovator of the brain imaging (SPECT) scans for the study and treatment of ADHD has now trained his attention to the common cold of mental disturbances: Anxiety and Depression. He brings hard science to the common "soft" study and treatment of these two ailments. For therapist who can not prescribe medication, this volume will prove very usefull in understanding the use and effectiveness of specific medications to treat the seven types of anxiety and depression. For the client, finally a book to help them through with understanding.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sylvester paulasir
The latest release by Dr.Amen is his best synthesis of applying a brain system approach to the symptomatology manifesting as clincial anxiety and depression.
Emerging research in the cognitive neurosciences adds increasing support to his experience using SPECT. The current tools used at the university level are more sophisticated (Functional MRI, Transcranial Magnetic Imaging and PET )but are not in conflict with his findings.
The graphic and concise presentation of brain images and text allows both the novice and more familiar reader of Amen's works to understand the overlapping features of these disorders. An advantage of his style is that a reader may begin the book from any section or chapter. I found this benefit very useful for myself and amongst my patients in our search for the chapter that is most " Us ".
I highly recommend this book as an addition to the bookshelf of the American public.
[...]
Emerging research in the cognitive neurosciences adds increasing support to his experience using SPECT. The current tools used at the university level are more sophisticated (Functional MRI, Transcranial Magnetic Imaging and PET )but are not in conflict with his findings.
The graphic and concise presentation of brain images and text allows both the novice and more familiar reader of Amen's works to understand the overlapping features of these disorders. An advantage of his style is that a reader may begin the book from any section or chapter. I found this benefit very useful for myself and amongst my patients in our search for the chapter that is most " Us ".
I highly recommend this book as an addition to the bookshelf of the American public.
[...]
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jane morrissey
Finally a book for the therapist and client to share! Dr. Amen's book breaks down Depression & Anxiety in a way that will help mental health professionals to recognize a person's unique subtype of these disorders. It will also enlighten the average reader about their sypmtoms and provides easy to follow recommendations for healing. By looking closely at the function of the brain through brain imaging scans, Dr. Amen gives us hope into the healing of a complicated disorder. The reader will learn they don't have to be ashamed and healing is possible. Every person who thinks they may suffer from depression, or knows someone who does, should read this book, and share it with a therapist! This is a first, no one has given us these insights in such a readable manner!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
maureen levine
Healing Anxiety and Depression is an easy-to-read book that shines a spotlight on anxiety and depressive disorders from the perspective of brain functioning, as opposed to the traditional diagnostic approach based primarily on symptom clusters. In this book, Dr. Amen and Dr. Routh clearly explain the following five major interconnected brain circuits that underlie most of these disorders:
* basal ganglia-sets the body's idling level
* deep limbic system-sets the mind's feeling tone
* anterior cingulated gyrus-helps shift attention
* temporal lobes-helps mood stability, temper control, and memory
* prefrontal cortex-helps with decision making, attention span, judgment, and impulse control
The authors describe in detail the functions associated with each of these brain components, as well as the common difficulties that arise when that particular part of the brain is not functioning well. They proceed to propose a new way of approaching treatment for anxiety and depression, based on their finding that anxiety and depression commonly occur together, that they are largely the result of brain dysfunction, and that there are seven different types of anxiety/depressive disorders, with a number of effective treatment approaches for each type. The seven disorder types the authors describe are:
* Pure Anxiety
* Pure Depression
* Mixed Anxiety and Depression
* Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
* Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
* Temporal Lobe Anxiety/Depression
* Unfocused Anxiety/Depression
The book explores each disorder type in detail, including illustrating the brain functioning patterns the authors have found associated with each, based on their work with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans. It also contains a questionnaire to help the reader identify if he meets the criteria for each disorder type (this questionnaire is not meant to render a diagnosis).
When describing their treatment approaches for each disorder type, the authors go well beyond a thorough discussion of prescription medications to include discussion of natural supplements, diet, cognitive therapy (e.g., changing Automatic Negative Thoughts, or "ANTs), the healing power of relationships, the impact of breathing properly, and biofeedback.
The authors also explore gender differences (e.g., hormonal factors) associated with anxiety/depressive disorders, and the impact of these disorders on families. They include a whole chapter on the topic of insomnia, and conclude with a host of resources.
As is typical of Dr. Amen's books, this book takes a complex subject and breaks it down into essential components that are easy to understand. By including "healthy brain" SPECT scans next to the scans of people suffering from one of the seven anxiety/depressive disorder types, the brain functioning patterns seem very clear. By including real-life anecdotes about the patients that correspond with the brain scans, including their diagnoses, treatment approaches, and treatment results, the book leaves the reader with a feeling of great hope that these disorders can be accurately diagnosed and treated.
* basal ganglia-sets the body's idling level
* deep limbic system-sets the mind's feeling tone
* anterior cingulated gyrus-helps shift attention
* temporal lobes-helps mood stability, temper control, and memory
* prefrontal cortex-helps with decision making, attention span, judgment, and impulse control
The authors describe in detail the functions associated with each of these brain components, as well as the common difficulties that arise when that particular part of the brain is not functioning well. They proceed to propose a new way of approaching treatment for anxiety and depression, based on their finding that anxiety and depression commonly occur together, that they are largely the result of brain dysfunction, and that there are seven different types of anxiety/depressive disorders, with a number of effective treatment approaches for each type. The seven disorder types the authors describe are:
* Pure Anxiety
* Pure Depression
* Mixed Anxiety and Depression
* Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
* Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
* Temporal Lobe Anxiety/Depression
* Unfocused Anxiety/Depression
The book explores each disorder type in detail, including illustrating the brain functioning patterns the authors have found associated with each, based on their work with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans. It also contains a questionnaire to help the reader identify if he meets the criteria for each disorder type (this questionnaire is not meant to render a diagnosis).
When describing their treatment approaches for each disorder type, the authors go well beyond a thorough discussion of prescription medications to include discussion of natural supplements, diet, cognitive therapy (e.g., changing Automatic Negative Thoughts, or "ANTs), the healing power of relationships, the impact of breathing properly, and biofeedback.
The authors also explore gender differences (e.g., hormonal factors) associated with anxiety/depressive disorders, and the impact of these disorders on families. They include a whole chapter on the topic of insomnia, and conclude with a host of resources.
As is typical of Dr. Amen's books, this book takes a complex subject and breaks it down into essential components that are easy to understand. By including "healthy brain" SPECT scans next to the scans of people suffering from one of the seven anxiety/depressive disorder types, the brain functioning patterns seem very clear. By including real-life anecdotes about the patients that correspond with the brain scans, including their diagnoses, treatment approaches, and treatment results, the book leaves the reader with a feeling of great hope that these disorders can be accurately diagnosed and treated.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
thebassplayerswife
Dr.Amen's new book, Healing Anxiety and Depression, will be received with open arms, by both the public and clinicians, at a time when the number of children in elementary school who suffer from high anxiety and depression is increasing at an alarming rate. As with his previous books, he dispels myths and invites open discussion concerning subjects, such as depression, that to this day are still talked about with discomfort. This book addresses these issues head on and offers insight and solutions.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
jackie dehoney
Very intresting book,, it explains the MEDICAL stand point about depression which involves diffrent parts of the brain,,also explains that a diet higer in protein lower in sugar is very beneficial to people who suffer from chemical imbalance! I learned a lot reading this book, and recommend it to anybody suffering from medical depression, because its not your fault! And you don't have to suffer alone anymore!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jordana
Drs. Amen and Routh provide hope that 'stress is not the enemy' and that rather than seeking familiarity with matters of anxiety and depression people do have the option to seek happiness. This book encourages people to feel good about themselves and embrace their abilities. It gives a fresh perspective as to why treatements of the past may not have worked and renews hope for change.
Diane E. Hough, MS, LMHC, NCC
Diane E. Hough, MS, LMHC, NCC
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
maureen family
This book was very informative and useful to me. Everything that is described about these conditions helped me feel that I was on the road to recovery with what my doctor had prescribed, and know with the added knowledge provided by this book I have added supplements, excerise, and a positive attitude to my dealing with my depression.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
lori gatter
I had knowledge on this subject for years, so most of the material written in this book was mainly old news to me. Most of the material in this book is an overview of the disorders and a lot of pics of brain scans. (Including before and after shots) There is a lot of talk about medication as well and different categories of antidepressants. Honestly there isn't that much extra material that books like "Don't Panic" doesn't cover (although this book isn't as dry as "Don't Panic"). If you are new to all of this, then it's is a decent read. If you been dealing with this for quite a while now, chances are that your doctor has found the right meds for you and that you've been properly diagnosed. You may want a book that goes a little deeper in the topics of "rational vs irrational thoughts", "self-esteem", or "phobias". I gave this book 3 stars only because I was expecting more with all the 5-star reviews and didn't pick-up anything new, but it's a good book if you are new to all of this and want a primer about the road that's ahead of you.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
d olson
not his best effort...poorly written and nothing new, as far as i was concerned, having read two of his other books. and really don't like the emphasis on anti-depressants. never felt like he got his point across, as being anything different from what i've read, i.e. depression and anxiety are caused in the brain...and tah dah...here are some meds for it. so what?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
melea
Dr Amen, the world-famous leader in the development of Spect-scans has done it again! A easy to read. It's very easy to identify, from his
checklists, if one is anxious or depressed, and to what extent. The nutritional and medication infomation is invaluable. Recommended for anyone who is Anxious or Depressed, or knows anyone who is.
checklists, if one is anxious or depressed, and to what extent. The nutritional and medication infomation is invaluable. Recommended for anyone who is Anxious or Depressed, or knows anyone who is.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
evelyn pryce
Informative, straight to the point and easy to read. I felt better as soon as I started reading it. I'm sharing in with all my friends and family. I could tell there was a woman's touch to the book and that made all the difference. I loved it.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
amani bahy
The book reads like a pamphlet advertising the Amen Clinics. At the Amen Clinics this and at the Amen Clinics that, give me a break. This guy can't go half a page without tooting his own horn. You would think that everywhere except the Amen Clinics, the treatment of mental disorders is by witch doctors and alchemists. The books makes a big deal about the use of brain scanning and how this is such a big advantage for their clinic. They shame insurance companies for not reimbursing payment and other doctors for not using the technique, but read closely. In the end, they still the patients are still treated just like anywhere else, symptomatically. One word for this book: lame.
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