Healing Anxiety and Depression
by Daniel G. Amen, Lisa C. Routh
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Book Reviews of Healing Anxiety and Depression
Book Review: Fascinating, but exercise some healthy skepticism.
Summary: 4 Stars
Amen's "new program" actually has less to do with the patient's protocol than the physician's basis for selecting it. The author maintains that his research in "imaging" various brain patterns and wave activity in selected portions of the brain enables him to determine the precise sort of depressive-anxiety disorder (the author identifies seven) being experienced by the patient. Upon making this determination, the prescribed therapies are along familiar lines--tricyclic medications, SSRI's, SNRI's, etc. The photos are interesting and possibly useful (though not necessarily proof of cause and effect), and the readerly prose insures that the reader will pick up a good deal of information about the structure of the brain. Also, the author provides a questionnaire to enable a reader to approximate what the brain images might have confirmed, thus enabling him to determine his type of depressive disorder(s), if any. From there, the practical information and applications are likely to be of value in proportion to the amount of information the reader already has about depression and anxiety.
The author covers psychotropic medications, cognitive approaches, exercise and other mainline therapies. He says very little about combinations of medications. And the book loses some of its credibility, in my opinion, in the discussion of alternative therapies that have been discredited elsewhere. There's no scientific evidence I'm aware of that would support the theory that supplements like GABA, l-Tyrosine, or l-Phenylananine alleviate anxiety-depression or even break through the blood membrane to become part of the body's own chemistry. Also, whether injections of testosterone and DHEA are sufficiently helpful to outweigh the risks makes questionable the author's apparent recommendation of them. Finally, some of the information already appears dated--for example, the assertion that Ambien is totally unrelated to the benzodiazapines and is non-addictive.
Still, the book is quite comprehensive, provides much accessible and potentially useful information and, provided the reader exercises some healthy skepticism, should make the subject less daunting and confusing.
Book Review: Depression and anxiety fully understood and dealt with at last
Summary: 5 Stars
WOW! What a book. I have many books, on the above subjects, being a sufferer myself, and feeling like I'm hitting a blank wall trying to fully understand it, but also a book that actively helps you to accept there is more information about diagnosis, PROPER treatment available, and REAL solutions to these debilitating illnesses, not just psychotherapy, or medication. It delves into the psysiological reasons and chemistry of the brain and how SPECT scans can verify diagnoses and help to correctly pinpoint the specific type of illness you may have. I have read many medical books and was 'till now unaware of the physiological markers to look out for, but also that these scans help to pinpoint accurate treatment for your specific type, of which there are 7 main types. It is not for the novice necessarily as medical jargon is used, but is well worth the read and there are addresses and phone numbers for contacting doctors that help diagnose and treat patients.It helps to self diagnose to a point, and makes you feel like there is light at the end of the very long tunnel. About time a book like this has come along. I plan to use it extensively and rid myself of the bain I carry around daily!Book Review: great book;really works
Summary: 5 Stars
This is good . I am an MD and it is clear that depression and anxiety are not 1 or 2 "pure" illnesses. He presents 7 types. "type 7" describes me almost exactly. Provigil (one he recommends for this type in an update on his website)works well for me, and the supplements (fish oil, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and SAM-e) work quite well as an additive effect. Valerian helps greatly with residual anxiety, and the GABA/glutamine combo help greatly with insomnia. Downside is these cost a lot and its lots of pills. His supplements on his website combine many of these, which make it easier and more economical, but I still need a bit more of the other ones he talks about. But if it works, it works. Will see if it works longterm.
Couple criticisms; too much medical terminology for average reader, though much is good for anyone to learn. The whole "ANTS" thing, as he admits, was devised originally for kids and seems juvenile for a serious adult. He needs to adapt this concept for adults to make it credible and friendly to use.
Overall, buy, buy, buy, but read the updated versions on his website for newer drugs especially. Hopefully a new edition coming soon...
Book Review: This is a fascinating book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Do you wanna know why you feel depressed?
Do you wanna know where all the crazy ideas are being formed in your brain?
Do you know what part of your brain is responsible for certain feelings?
Do you know how to self diagnose your own depression?
This book is all scientific, factual yet still easy to understand. I self-diagnosed myself, I have been on Zoloft and I kind of think my doctor did not prescribe me the right medication according to this book but overall, its all about understanding the game our brains playing against us when it comes to depression and anxiety. Once you understand whats going on in YOUR brain. it is easier to deal with that. GREAT book! a Must read to understand depression/anxiety in depth and change your thinking patterns according to your own depression style.
Book Review: There is help!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are a lot of self help books out there, and in that there are a lot of them that don't help. This book helps people do what they need to do to not suffer anymore. It talks about medication if needed, and other natural alternatives as well. I like how Dr. Amen stresses that it is a change in a whole lifestyle. Taking medicine, natural or not needs to be accompanied by a GOOD DIET (supplements) and EXCERCISE! For anyone that is sick of being anxious and or depressed, this book is a great place to start! He gives tools to help a person get out of feeling stuck.
Highly recommend to really read the book. Kind of like a textbook. Going back to pages if one has to, to really understand ones behavior, and what one needs to do to be healthy. Highly recommended!