Customer Reviews

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Since both myself and a loved one have been diagnosed and treated at Amen's clinic, I'd like to respond to this book from the view of my actual experience.

First, I agree with most of the what is said in the other positive reviews. The book is engaging, informative, and most importantly, it offers a great deal of hope. It breaks new ground, and it allows the layman to make better sense of the complexities of brain biology, personality, and behavior. To those few reviewers who insisted that Amen does not actually tell us "how to change your brain" - this is simply not true. Amen offers a variety of options including traditional meds, (even a nice chart to help with the benefits of each), and alternative treatments such as herbal and dietary suggestions.

As many know, Amen's use of SPECT scans is very controversial. Although he has a following of professionals, he is also careful to say that the scans are NOT a primary diagnostic tool - only a way to confirm a tentative diagnosis. This may be because SPECT is not approved by the DSM, nor the APA(to my knowledge), as an accepted and reliable diagnostic tool for ADD or any of the other problems Amen discusses. Given the stodgy psychiatric mentality in the US toward new approaches, this should not be a problem in and of itself. Yet given the controversy, a serious flaw of the book is that it does not address the number and types of cases in which this approach does NOT work.

But I also want to offer some cautions to those who might be tempted to passively accept the book in its entirety.

1) In my own case, two Drs and a thrapist in Amen's own office had different interpretations of my loved-one's SPECT scan, yet there was no consultation among them to resolve the issue. 2) In this layman's view, the book also seems to show some inconsistency in interpreting the scans. Why does the same over-active image area become the diagnostic key in one case, but then seems irrelevant in another ? 3) Again in my personal case, the drug protocol for my loved-one was the opposite as that described in the book. Despite my questions, this was never explained to me. 4) A recent read of another book by a different author using PET scans showed completely different parts of the brain producing some of the same symptoms as Amen describes. But I suppose this doesnt matter as long as the treatment works.

So what is the upshot of my review? My experience causes me to question the credibility of some parts of the book. Interpretation of these scans needs refinement, and Amen may need to get his own house in order as well. Yet, I have found no other professional who understands the intricacies of ADD and the associated problemsas well as he does. Amen truly cares, and this book is a 'must-read'. Regardless of the imperfections, his approach DOES work for many, many people. But do not be lulled into a passive acceptance by the enticing simplicity of the diagnosis and explanation.

Feel free to email me your thoughts. And to those dealing with the pain of ADD its related problems, I wish you peace and comfort. Remember that the heros in a race are not only those who win, but also those who continue to struggle until they finish.

This book shows you that there is hope for everyone! Though the title is a little silly, it is appropriate. This book actually shows you pictures of brains with different emotional/chemical imbalances. Give it to anyone who questions whether diet or medication really affect their feelings and relationships. Many people believe that medication is for weak people and that they should be able to conquer their problems through sheer will. I have known countless people who have tried everything to overcome emotional issues but actually changing their physiology. This book gives indisputable evidence that problems like depression, aggression, ADD and Alzheimers are physically based. The changes in patients' brains before and after treatment (often, but not always medication-based) are phenomenal. It demonstrates with the SPECT series brain scans that our brain chemistry rules our emotions.

I learned that even minor bumps to the head can change people's personalities and ability to learn. Dr. Amen shows pictures of brains with little or no activity in areas that have been injured, mirroring the patients' emotional or intellectual difficulties.

Amen is very clear that he always uses talk therapy and teaching communication skills before he contemplates having a SPECT series done. His point is that many people can benefit from learning new skills and ways of looking at life, but some are truly stuck because their brain activity keeps them looping on negative thoughts, reacting with extreme anger, obsessing about limited situations, or shutting down when they try to concentrate. When medication is used these patients can finally put the communication and coping skills they have learned to good use.

This book helped me understand people in my life who have seemed hopeless, shallow and even vicious. It showed me that there is hope for everyone who is willing to open their mind, get proper treatment, and challenge how they have viewed the world up until now. The exercises he gives the reader are very specific and helpful. If another reviewer thinks that there is nothing concrete in the book, then they aren't willing to look at their diet, their habitual way of thinking, and herbal and medical treatments. The prescriptions are plentiful and very specific.

It is an easy read, very accessible, with fascinating stories that pull you in. It is not academic or inaccessible. Quite the opposite. It's a great book for anyone who wants to know more about themselves and how their body works.

This is a pretty good book that appeals to the broad audience of just about anyone who has suffered from at least mild mental distress, and that includes about everyone. I agree with the doctor's philosophy that most mental disturbances can be attributed to metabolic abnormalities in different regions of the brain, though there's nothing too earthshaking about this idea. Many of the cognitive therapy excercises seem to be derived from ideas that Aaron Beck and David Burns have had, though the doctor does a good job summarizing and presenting these ideas in a practical, easy to use manner. This book also is not anti-medication, in spite of presenting these non-medication methods for improving mental health. Overall, a good read for anyone suffering from any type of mild mental distress. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Dr. Daniel Amen, MD is a pioneer in the up and coming technology of functional neuroimaging. Using SPECT scans, functional MRI and PET scans Neuro oriented psychiatrists such as Dr. Amen are finally beginning to be able to see in images what mental illness looks like. Thanks to the computer and high technology, this sort of thing is possible for the first time ever.

Dr. Amen should be commended for his vision and imagination. He is trying to go against the grain of mainstream psychiatry by trying to improve diagnosis of serious mental illness via SPECT scans. This is a courageous thing that takes grit and guts. He is, for the first time ever trying to get psychiatry to actually look at the brain to diagnose.

This book takes Amen's experience with functional neuroimaging and allows him to make recommendations other psychiatrists cant really do. Because Amen diagnoses so differently, it can result in more precise and individualized psychiatric diagnosis, with more personalized treatment plans. Only SPECT scans can provide this sort of approach.

Read this book and demand that psychiatric services in your area begin incorporating functional neuroimaging into their diagnostic procedures. You will probably be impressed by the results.

This book will make you want to change your brain! Surrendering caffeine was my answer. I would consume coffee or even caffeine pills to get going in the morning. I have surrendered these after reading the good doctor's book. I still consume it in lower doses but have reduced my gross intake considerably. I feel it has made a considerable difference for me. Perhaps it will for you as well.

The book presents the results of what was groundbreaking scanning techniques for studying brain function. Dr. Amen compares the brain function of ADHD, chemical abusers and "normal" brains. The images create a visable difference and that is where the Dr. develops his conclusions.

This is one of the more interesting books I have ever read.
Its probably not very good as a self-help book but if you want to better understand the workings of your brain and various disorders, its top notch!

I suffer from OCD and I could see in his book, that OCD has caused many of the problems I have had. To fix your brain through medication/therapy is to truly change your life!

Other parts of the book I liked commented on how our thoughts have a very real impact on our lives. This is very consistent with all the self-help books I have read, especially Joseph Murphy.

Finally, his images of the brain after drug abuse and also of people who smoke too much and drink to much coffee are startling.
Unless you want "a hole in your head", pass that joint, coffee, cig, crack, alcohol etc to someone else! Yuck!

This is one of the more interesting books I have ever read.
Its probably not very good as a self-help book but if you want to better understand the workings of your brain and various disorders, its top notch!

I suffer from OCD and I could see in his book, that OCD has caused many of the problems I have had. To fix your brain through medication/therapy is to truly change your life!

Other parts of the book I liked commented on how our thoughts have a very real impact on our lives. This is very consistent with all the self-help books I have read, especially Joseph Murphy.

Finally, his images of the brain after drug abuse and also of people who smoke too much and drink to much coffee are startling.
Unless you want "a hole in your head", pass that joint, coffee, cig, crack, alcohol etc to someone else! Yuck!

First I read the Newsweek story about Dr. Amen, then I requested "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life" from the library. It was good enough that I then requested his 2001 book "Healing ADD." It was so good that I immediately ...ordered a copy for myself and my friend! HOW'S THAT FOR A RECOMMENDATION??

Wonderful information on brain function and the impact it has on relationships, and how we can improve our lives as we learn about ourselves and the people around us.

This book is a must read. It is written in lay persons terms and even if you don't suffer from ADD or OCD or any of the other issues addressed in this book, there's a damn good chance someone you love does. It's really helped me understand others and not to be judgemental.