This book was recommended by a friend who had brain surgery. I am trying to recover from a traumatic brain injury. This book, though very technical, has given me practical ways to help change areas of my thinking and move forward with my healing.
I highly recommend this book for recovering brain injured patients, drug addicts, thinking disorders, or if you just need to adjust your thinking.
It also explains the importance of the bonding processes in children. Great book for teachers and/or parents.

My Top Four Anxiety Depression Books:

This first one "Tao Cycle Therapy" is based on Davanloo's work,

Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy: Selected Papers of Habib Davanloo, M.D.

Healing Anxiety and Depression

That should keep you busy (:
- Allison

As far as practical anxiety & depression books, you can't beat these two:

Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]

You're Welcome (trust me, you'll understand),
Mary Ellison

This book and these other two listed below (one by Davanloo and the other one based on Davanloo's work are probably the three best books on the subject.

Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy: Selected Papers of Habib Davanloo, M.D.

D.Gilbert

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness This was recommended by my doctor! Not because I am suffering from any of these problems, but it simply has lots of good information, suggestions, observations about the relationship between our physical brain and our mental health. It would be excellent for someone with no background for this topic as it is easy to understand and enjoyable to read. A "condensed version" to use as a "reminder" reference would actually be more helpful for me.

The most interesting thing about this book is understanding different parts of the rain and how they function even though it is not the main thrust of the text. The author's text seems like a different approach with the same old solutions offered for depression, anxiety, rage, etc. It's a bit tedious and tiresome.

I am very impressed with Dr. Amen's book. I can see where it can help my family tremendously. Knowledge is power and this is one incredible and powerful book. He makes technical terms easy to understand and I've read it through and totally enjoyed this book.

It gives one compassion for those with brain injuries, which may have happened in a fall, car accident, while we were children or other times in our lives, and most of us don't put the injury and a change in behavior together. The brain is quite delicate and to have it bounced around inside our skulls can damage it. It's amazing to realize a left temporal lobe injury can cause one to be angry much of the time and not be able to control oneself. I would definitely take a family member that has serious issues (ADD, ADHD, OCD, Depression, Anger Issues, etc.) to one of his clinics (www.amenclinics.com) and get the spect brain imaging where you can really see where the problems are occurring and treat with proper medication, therapy and/or alternative methods. He's not all about pure drugging, but there is a place for them and they work better when you can see what area is out of snyc and not just guessing. Just like you use an ultrasound to "see" a cyst, you can "see" where the problem (activity level) is. I recommend this book for all. A true treasure chest of knowledge.

I paid for this book and it never showed up at my house. I tried contacting Amazon and they did nothing. I am very disappointed. Bad Amazon vendor.

I've read many mental health books. This one has been my favorite and most helpful, along with Dr. David Burns "Feeling Good" in a close second.
Dr. Amen's work is a fresh change from the standard, "take a pill and you'll feel better" approach taken by so many healthcare professionals. I've always been torn on the medication debate, but this book very much opened my mind to all therapy approaches. It is written in way anyone can understand and retain the information, while still being fairly scientific.
I highly recommend this book. It will help you understand yourself and the people around you so much better.

This book is so informative. It has given me empathy for people that otherwise I had disdain for. I've read it and reread it over and over. Thank God for people like Dr. Amen who wouldn't give up. I've shared this info with many others, and one retired school psychologist said, "I knew those kids were not bad kids, but I didn't know why."

This is very interesting reading and user friendly. I am thrilled that something so complex can be explained in simple enough terms for the layman to understand.

I have read quite a few self help books in my day and someone told me that this might be an interesting one. It proved just that way. It really digs in to the meat of what is going on in your brain and explains things in a non "fluffy" way for once. It has so many case studies and stories about the content. I really enjoyed this book and felt it was well written.

I had seen a two hour program by the author of this book on our PBS channel and that is why I just HAD to get the book! Very interesting information, new to me.... I recommend this book highly!

Clearly writtern for people who are concerned about mental health issues for themselves or those they love. Case studies and photographic evidence helps to explain some pshychological problems without any stigma or weakness of character BS. I do wish that the book was less drug cure oriented. I guess excercise and diet can only do so much.

I'd seen Dr.Amen's special on PBS after which I purchased this book. I've always known that there was something about my personality that was in a sense "broken" and that I had some sort of learning disability, although that tern hadn't even beened coined when I was a child. Dr. Amen has a great ability to put what is a complicated subject into very easily understood laymen's terms and the personal stories of his patents were eye opening. The story of Jamie on page 139 so closely parrelled my family life, that I felt he had written about me. I was able to understand for the first time why I grew up the way I did, why my mother was the way she was and why to this day, I continue to struggle with certain aspects of my personality. I only wish that I'd known this information 30 years ago. However, I'm hopeful that this book will be the catalyst that I need to change MY brain in order to change my life. Keep up the good work, Dr. Amen!

This is a most helpful book. It is the only real help I have found on a most complex and difficult subject. What a revelation to find useful information for a lay person to use to help themselves and loved ones. His ideas are simply explained and extremely useful and, best of all, they work. I highly recommend this book.

Interesting book. Not quite what I expected though. Lots of case studies and descriptions of what medications he prescribed.
I hoped for more on the natural side of how to improve your brain, eg: Diet,- but it dosen't touch on that too much except to mention that we need high protein/low-carb. If you have a specific ailment and are looking for info on how to treat it then this is a good book for you. Also, it does touch on how music and goal-setting can be good for brain health. I found this helpful. But the bulk of the book is case studies and what prescription meds he issued! I don't regret buying it even though I think it could heave been better: ie, - more in-depth info on the natural side of things like music, diet, smells, natural remedies... and less on prescription meds.

A magnificent piece of work! Full of valuable information and exercises you can do to help yourself. I am a retired Clinical Psychologist and if I were still in practice I would give a copy of this book to all my patients!
Thank you Dr. Amen for a wonderful contribution to the mental health and
happiness of millions of people that will benefit from reading your book!
Whoever reads this, do yourself a favor and get a copy! You won't regret it!!!! Dr. Boris V. Camacho-Vega Ps.D.

I have known and loved my husband for 44 yrs. This book defined solutions for behavioral concerns time has wrought. First, thank goodness, second other examples that didn't look for help where relationships were let go instead of solved. The vow we took was for better or worse, come for answers and solutions. Great insight of our human race we take for granted and solutions for remaining human. We are together with the diagnosis and solved our "differences" with 'change your brain change your life'. Examples of circumstance and real life examples are given as well in the book. A person fell off a ladder and one year later a family dispersed, not necessary- this book can save lives and all that goes with this life.

The author uses brain scans and other tools from nuclear medicine to discuss common emotional issues such as anxiety, impulsiveness, anger, etc. The author's prescriptions have been cited by many experts but as far as I know, have not been linked to the various brain scans, which are compelling. This book is excellent. I believe it should be read in conjunction with Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self which explains what each emotion means, and provides questions to accept, understand and best resolve them. Read both books.

Good book for alternative views on Anxiety etc... I thught the books was pretty eye opening, whether you agree with the "mainstream" or the "outside the box" evaluatons it's good to get both sides of the story and make a judgement on your own. I give the book 5 stars.

This fascinating book is filled with scientific proof that our thoughts directly affect our physical, mental and
spiritual lives. Thoughts release a chemical reaction that is directly linked to our deep limbic system, the part of our brain that allows us to experience and express emotion. Through the use of imaging technology Dr. Amen shows us what a healthy brain looks like, and compares it to pictures of a myriad of disorders such as ADD, Alzheimer's, and depression. These brain pictures show the results our thoughts have upon our bodies when we experience depression and anxiety. Dr. Amen has named our "Automatic Negative Thoughts" ANTs. These ANTS don't always tell the truth and, just like at a picnic, they multiply quickly and can take over. Our brains don't know we are being lied to. We believe these ANTs are telling us the truth.

This book is a perfect companion to the work of Ariel and Shya Kane. They are masters at teaching the skill set of how to live in the moment without guilt, fear or worry. Their books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Can Instantaneously Transform Your Life,Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment,and How to Create a Magical Relationship, offer an effortless path to freedom from those nagging ANTs.

This book changed my paradigm on life or "lense" through which I view it and everything to do with all aspects of life. Even if this is just to understand these conditions to help you with loved ones, if you have any of these conditions, or just want to become more informed & compassionate about mental health & brain physiology this is the right book for you. Instead of sending it to all my friends and family, I bought them their own copy as I refer back to it often & will have a permanent place on my bookshelf.

I purchased this book after seeing Dr. Amen on PBS. I read it straight through and found it extremely insightful and informative. Both of my kids have ADD and I am encouraging them to read it.

Dr. Amen's book brings together in highly readable terms the biological and psychological factors so important to mental health. It offers patients a guilt-free perspective on what has gone awry.

Actually, this is a review of the reviewers. But a little about myself. For 9 years I performed failure analysis for safety related systems in nuclear reactors. Safety related systems are those used to safely shut down a reactor when it needs to be. When a part doesn't work as expected, you have to know why. Why? Because you can't fix it unless you know what it is you need to fix. I'll end it here, but I'm sure the reader can now appreciate all the arguments, pointing fingers, investigations, test, communications, travels, lies, stories and pressure (you have to have a reason and solution in 72 hours or the NRC will force you to shut down the reactor) you get hit with. It has taught me to look at things differently.

I see two groups of people here: those that are for and those who are against. I see the writing style. Before you even hit the keys, you have decided what you want to say. Bias.

For those of us that think Dr. Amen's approach is the best thing since sliced bread.....beware. This is new. It has some valid points. I myself relied on a vast army of tools, including the electron microscope. Yes, EM. I was able to do in two days what General Electric took to do in one month. Once you have all the data you can possibly secure and boiled it down into information (very important concept here) only then can you sit back and form a conclusion. At no time can you be bias before the conclusion phase. And you are asking for trouble in your conclusions if you base everything on one experience.

For those of us that think Dr. Amen's approach is akin to snake oil.... beware. The world does revolve around the sun. In nuclear, you can have the best program running in a computer and it won't work if the computer hardware is at fault. You can have the best computer in the world but it won't work if the program is faulty. You can imagine the complexity if both are at fault. And both won't work properly if the operator doesn't understand what the results mean (Three Mile Island). Having said that, I get a little edgy when a person says it has nothing to do with the hardware or the hardware couldn't possibly contribute to the faulting net system results. Then resort to personal attacks to ensure the validity of his conclusions. As soon as I see personal attacks to boost a conclusion, all bets are off. There are emotions here and emotions have a way of tainting data. Many of you have done this in your reviews of Dr. Amen's book. You proved you were bias and as a result your data, information and conclusions are corrupt.

Now for something we all wanted to know. If a tree falls in the forest, and no one was there, did it make a noise? Most of you will remember this in high school or college and no one had a solution but boy did it entertain!!

First, what is noise. You need an energy source and a transducer. Energy is fed to a transducer and the transducer vibrates. A transmitter. Second, we need a receiver, which is our second transducer. It receives the vibrations and converts it to.... on the part of a human, sound. A tape recorder can also produce the same results. The third part, and this is the part that everyone forgets, the transmitting media. You have to transmit those vibrations from the source transducer to the receiving transducer. In air, it's air. In water, it's water. Or wood, teeth and bone in the case of Beethoven.

Lets test. I talk to you, you hear. I stop talking to you, you do not hear. You leave the room, you do not hear. We take the air out of the room, you do not hear.

Second test. You and I outside of the space shuttle way up above earth. No radio. I talk, you do not hear. I press my helmet to yours. I talk, you hear. You leave, you do not hear. I stop talking, you do not hear.

Third test. You are in a city. You have a radio. The talk host is talking. You hear the talk host. You walk away from the radio. You do not hear the talk host. The talk host stops talking, you do not hear him. The battery dies on the radio, you do not hear the talk host. Air, in this instance, is irrelevant. The mic can be attached to the person's throat expelling air as he talks in into a vacuum and the headphone is attached to the receiver's cochlear implant (just in case there are those who wish to argue).

What we have: We have identified three elements essential to sound. You must have a transmitter, the transmitting medium, the receiver. Sound relies on these three elements. If we take any one of them away, you do not have sound.

In the woods, you have the transmitter, the falling tree. You have the transmitting medium, air. You do not have a receiver.

What is your conclusion?

The tree did not make a sound in the forest when it fell because no one was around.

I am a social worker and would recommend this book to many of my clients who want to know what they can do to improve their functioning. It has alot of cutting edge science in it, but is also very readable. I enjoyed it and will keep it as a reference.

Change Your Brain is an extrmely thourough analaysis of the functioning of the brain and the various problems associated any area(s) that are out of sync. Author uses scans to view actual brain functioning and has correlated psychological problems with physical brain disorders/malfunctions.

And, in the "self help" category, he, being a psychiatrist, offers voluminous advice on how to deal with each disorder from the sufferer's perspective and from those close to them. Includes diet, approaches to life, approaches to conflict and possible drug and vitamin solutions.

Would rate it at 5 stars, but it IS a bit detailed and not simply a quick easy read. But if you hang in there, you will get a very good exposure to the mind's workigs and how it relates to behavoir. Highly recommended.

I bought this book for my husband at his request, after having seen the author on television. He assumed the book would give specific instructions for improving his memory and other brain functions, but found it too full of generalizations. He threw out the book.
Ruth Roufberg

I bought this book for my husband at his request, after having seen the author on television. He assumed the book would give specific instructions for improving his memory and other brain functions, but found it too full of generalizations. He threw out the book.
Ruth Roufberg

This is the most fantastic book I've read on this subject. It has helped me understand my own brain chemistry issues, as well as helping my family and friends understand what I have been experiencing.

This is the most fantastic book I've read on this subject. It has helped me understand my own brain chemistry issues, as well as helping my family and friends understand what I have been experiencing.

i would prefer to review it after I have finished but like it as far as I have read. Am on vacation now thanks for your quick service

This is a must read book, it gives a good understanding on how our brain work and how it affects our behavior. It'll help us understand people around us and their behavior, at some point may need to seek treatment.

Though this sometimes gets quite clinical, the patient examples bring home much insight on how your brain functions... and helps you to function. I would recommend this for anyone who battles with depression / ocd or any other function of 'normal' daily life that they struggle to control.

Once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down. You will read and re-read it. It makes alot of sense and goes deep into the brain. It's graphic in a sense that explains what we do to our brains in a physical manner. I liked that it showed a normal brain and a brain that has been abused by "substance abuse". It just goes to show that people don't realize that what they put in their body affects the brain itself but by seeing a true picture, it makes you want to stop and think.

"Change Your Brain Change Your Life" offers understanding about our brain from a perspective that is unique.

You gain understanding at an intellectual and emotional level. Intellectually, you gain insights into mental conditions ranging from depression, anxiety to attention deficit disorder. Emotionally, you are better equipped to understand individuals suffering from mental illness.

You become more tolerant and less judgmental if you or someone around you is going through challenges because of the way your or their mind functions.

This is an absolutely fantastic book, which is better read with "Nexus: A Neo Novel." Nexus by Deborah Morrison and Arvind Singh is a must-read about people overcoming psychological barriers at a retreat. It offers a hard-hitting experiential journey into people's lives and gives inspiration that by doing something instead of staying stuck, we can transform our lives.

Nexus: A Neo Novel

This book along with Rising Above Fear: Healing Phobias, Panic and Extreme Anxiety by Dr. Fredric Neuman has been a real help. Both help combat anxiety.

What comes first the chicken or the egg? If diagnoses is helped fine but only for confirmation of diagnoses. Behavior remains the primary focus of diagnoses. A lot of interpretation borders on subjectivity and cannot replace experience. Ongoing research may indicate that psychological testing is just a valid and reliable or perhaps more so. Availability and standards of practice are involved. Hopefully a tool for cases that cannot be resolved otherwise.

This book gives a remarkable overview of how and where certain disorders, like ADHD or anxiety, are manifested in the brain. It helps you understand that these disorders are biological; they are not all in your head as it were. For ADHD and other disorders, it gives excellent ideas to help re-train the brain as well as prescriptions like medicines, supplements, diet, exercise and other steps you can take to help re-train your brain. And it works.

What comes first the chicken or the egg? If diagnoses is helped fine but only for confirmation of diagnoses. Behavior remains the primary focus of diagnoses. A lot of interpretation borders on subjectivity and cannot replace experience. Ongoing research may indicate that psychological testing is just a valid and reliable or perhaps more so. Availability and standards of practice are involved. Hopefully a tool for cases that cannot be resolved otherwise.

This book gives a remarkable overview of how and where certain disorders, like ADHD or anxiety, are manifested in the brain. It helps you understand that these disorders are biological; they are not all in your head as it were. For ADHD and other disorders, it gives excellent ideas to help re-train the brain as well as prescriptions like medicines, supplements, diet, exercise and other steps you can take to help re-train your brain. And it works.

The claim that this book makes is a little misleading. Sure, the book itself was very informative about the physiology of each part of the brain and their functions. But the suggestions on how to regulate these brain functions were not life changing. 80% of the book was one story after another after another about how Dr. Amen saw a patient, preformed a SPECT study to diagnose their problem. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the validity of these studies and think SPECT studies should gain more credibility, but then all his patients were ultimately prescribed medication for their issues. How does this help me as the reader?

Take the insight you learned about each section of the brain, and use this book as just a stepping stone to finding the answers you're searching for.

I found this book helpful in understanding the functions of the different areas of the brain and the causes behind the effects of a malfunctioning brain. Not only did it give causes and effects but remedies to change these difficulties into positive solutions bringing a healthy approach to healing, increased function and over-all improvement in quality of life! If anyone you know demonstrates anxiety, depression, obsessiveness,(eating disorders, etc.) anger, or impulsivity, this is a must read! Not only is there light at the end of the tunnel. . . you can be guaranteed to get out of the tunnel once and for all!

Dr. Oz is about as real as it gets. Despite a Masters in Human Behavior and my life-long search to understand my mood swings and how to handle life as it comes, I am once again energized and hopeful that there might be a biopharmacological reason for the unexpected and unwelcome bouts of immobilizing depression that I have struggled with for over 60+ years. I have had little or no success with traditional talk therapy and physician prescribed anti-depressants. I am determined to seek out a "Specto" image of my brain to determine the best course of treatment for a burden that has severely impacted my own and the lives of my family and friends.

The guy on the back cover - Martin H. Stein has lost his credentials to practice medicine repeatedly since the book came out - overall the "science" in this book is NOT proven. If you need help with your life / thinking, etc. - often getting MUCH MORE SLEEP, and cutting way down on the stress in your life - along with exercise and eating right is enough to solve the majority of peoples problems (along with increases earnings - ha!). This was told to me by a MD who testified against Dr. Stein. TRY THAT FIRST! ...

To recap - The featured "doctor" who wrote a blurb on the back cover isn't allowed to practice medicine anymore.

This book(I listened to the cd's.) is an amazing insight into the human brain, how it works, and explains so many misconceptions about thinking in regards to our present mindset about behavior. It explains each part of the brain and behaviors that are represented by each part in a way that is easy to understand and connect to. It also gives great detail and information on behaviors, why we use them, and strategies to help us control or stop them. One very important idea that I appreciate is that the author, Dr. Amen does not believe in a one sided approach. He looks at each person/brain as unique and deserving of an individual prescription whether it be one prescription or a combination of approaches such as therapy, medication, awareness, diet, supplements, biofeedback, and other methods. Dr. Amen also emphasizes that most people do not purposely exhibit odd behaviors/thinking patterns. He shows through specific examples in his book that sometimes no matter how hard we try to make ourselves change/alter a certain behavior, there is often a medical reason why we cannot. Through his brain SPEC images he has shown this to his patients and their family members.

The book has helped me to see others whose behavior I was so frustrated with in a new light and now that I better understand it, I am able to improve my feelings and relationships with them. If there is someone you know that uses certain behavior/ways of thinking that impact their life or yours in a way that makes living very difficult, then reading this book is a must. The brain is an organ in our body, and when things go wrong in it due to genetics, head injuries, childhood trauma, neglect, abandonment... it effects how our brain functions. There are checklists, helpful hints, information, behavior modification techniques, and so much more that can be helpful to anyone whether you think you need it or not. So don't go on thinking that you or a loved one is "crazy" and nothing can be done. Read the book. Though it is filled with loads of information, you will take away from it what you need and can use.

This book has been great! Makes me much more tolerant of those I have been judgemental about. I feel compelled to give everyone I know this book, but that would be obsessive wouldn't it! I highly recommend it if you have family members who are having difficulty with ADD, drugs or maybe a tad dysfunctional. I am reading the next book now that is: Making a Good Brain Great: The Amen Clinic Program for Achieving and Sustaining Optimal Mental Performance

Excellent book! Gives a view on the brain that the typical medical world does not always show.

I found this book to be quite disappointing. After seeing Dr. Amen on the tv, he made it seem as if this book will give you useful methods and explanations for combating anxiety, depression, etc. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Rather, the book explains how there is a correlation between the under/over-activity of different parts of the brain and different mental health issues. After explaining which diagnoses correspond to which part of the brain, he offers very obvious and unhelpful tips. Even after diagnosing the problems in his patients, he always perscribes medications for treatment. The only thing this book solidifys is the fact that if you are in a situation where you are considering seeking professional health for a mental health issue, then you should definitley do it. It is those professionals, not this book, that can help you to develop a program to help you.