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

by Daniel G. Amen

book data

203 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 83 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		24%
4		47%
3		20%
2		6%
1		1%

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published

May 27th 2008 (first published 1998) by Random House Audio

binding

Audio CD

isbn

0739376934 (isbn13: 9780739376935)

description

In this age of do-it-yourself health care (heck, if the doctor only sees you for 10 minutes each visit, what other options are there?), Change Your Br...more

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01/06/09

Sue rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in January, 2009

The New Year brings the season of fresh starts, resolutions, the air of possibility and the impulse to make changes. This book came across my radar a few weeks ago when I was channel-surfing and caught the PBS program "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life" presented by Dr. Daniel Amen. After watching a few hours of his lectures, I was hooked...and decided to review what I learned in the presentations by reading his book.

Dr. Amen is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has ...more

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06/04/09

Ben Campbell rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in March, 2008

I don't know about advocating natural remedies, including deep breathing, guided imagery, meditation, self-hypnosis, and biofeedback for treating disorders that are so frequently dealt with by prescription only. One can only imagine why people in the world are so screwed-up. Alcohol, drugs, depression, psychosis, bi-polar-mania, skizoid Freud. Will this book treat and cure us? Will this MD show us the way to faith and posterity? Drug freedom is merely a dream, doctors advocate drugs for anything...more

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06/29/09

Coventry rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in June, 2009

If you have ever struggled with anxiety, depression, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other garden-variety psychological problems, this book is extremely helpful.

The author, Daniel Amen, is a neuropsychiatrist who specializes in a type of brain imaging called SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography), which measures cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity patterns. Which is a fancy way of saying, how your brain operates. Each psychological problem listed above ...more

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04/12/09

Tim rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in April, 2009

I don't often read this kind of book, and it is not inspiring reading. On the other hand, there are enough nuggets of interest to have allowed me to read it through (mostly).

The good Doctor describes the new progress in understanding the parts of the brain itself, and what functions they control. His thesis is noting that some of what humans have viewed as abnormal, weakness of character, etc are actually parts of the brain that aren't functioning in normal range. So sudden outbur...more I don't often read this kind of book, and it is not inspiring reading. On the other hand, there are enough nuggets of interest to have allowed me to read it through (mostly).

The good Doctor describes the new progress in understanding the parts of the brain itself, and what functions they control. His thesis is noting that some of what humans have viewed as abnormal, weakness of character, etc are actually parts of the brain that aren't functioning in normal range. So sudden outbursts of anger, not connecting or able to "read" others non-verbal language all have a possibility of physical brain problems. He does not go to the point of saying "its not your fault" (or the social equivalent "its society's fault or your parents fault") but that understanding what is going on with the physical processes in the brain may lead to better self control and awareness, without all the guilt, and in some cases better treatment with meds. The diagnoses comes with sending some sort of radioactive dye through the brain, which lights up those areas unusually active or not active enough. (Creating what seems to me to be a sort of MRI of the brain with light or dark shades indicating above or below normal activity levels, to this layman)

Finally, with all that said, I can relate the more intriguing chapters on the Deep Limbic system " near the center of the brain packed with functions critical for human behavior and survival. It is an "older" part of the brain, and helps set our emotional tone. When the limbic system is cool, we are more positive, when it is overactive, we are more negative and even depressed. He dwells on "automatic negative thoughts" that take a neutral event, and put a negative spin on it - emotional "tagging" of events. He recommends becoming aware of ANTS in our lives, and actively working to minimize those patterns or habits of thought. He describes this area as being where the emotional component of traumatic or highly charged events are stored - abuse, being in a car accident, probably post traumatic stress disorder, or on the positive side, marriage, children's graduation, etc.

The doctor/author also describes how the limbic system is intimately involved in bonding and social connectedness. How touching brings about physical responses - stirring the limbic system, why couples bond beyond their emotional connection, and casual sex really isn't. He notes that the sense of smell is one of our most powerful senses, and it is the only one where messages go directly from the sensory organ to processing in the brain (the rest are relayed).

In other words, there are things going on at a body/brain level that our intellectual consciousness is likely unaware of. (The fight or flight responses are triggered through the hypothalamus, part of the limbic region.) All in all, the book reminded me of the lack of respect, I think, that modern humans view their bodies, or at least the effort it takes to appreciate how our essence, our spirit and soul, is contained in this structure. (less)

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02/08/09

Elaine rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in February, 2009

recommends it for: everyone

I picked out the chapters I wanted to read. It makes sense to me and an awareness of how we function is good for everyone. The author described behaviors of people and the brain activity that was associated with their behavior. He also described some options for behavioral treatment and treatment with medications. He described how these people are experienced by others, and how others can learn to better interact with them. I frequently thought of people that were like the people the author des...more

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04/15/09

Hilary rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: self-help

Read in April, 2009

Okay, I just skimmed it cuz I had to give it back to the library. But I thought it was excellent. Jeromy and I saw the PBS presentation for this and thought it was pretty cool, so I wanted to read the book. There's a chapter on the power of positive thinking and exercises you can do to think more positively (like getting rid of Always/Never Thinking for example). That was cool. And I really appreciated all of his medication-as-a-last-resort kind of thinking. And have you heard about the ef...more

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03/09/09

Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: 2009-reads

Read in April, 2009

I just finished this book by Dr. Amen and I really enjoyed it. I have always been interested in "brain & behaviour" things, such as personality indices, psychology, psychiatry, etc. So this book was right up my alley.

Dr. Amen demonstrates in this book how the way we think and act may be affected by physiological issues in the brain. We know this is true in severe cases as demonstrated by studies involving patients who have sustained severe brain trauma, like Phineas Ga...more I just finished this book by Dr. Amen and I really enjoyed it. I have always been interested in "brain & behaviour" things, such as personality indices, psychology, psychiatry, etc. So this book was right up my alley.

Dr. Amen demonstrates in this book how the way we think and act may be affected by physiological issues in the brain. We know this is true in severe cases as demonstrated by studies involving patients who have sustained severe brain trauma, like Phineas Gage and research done by Dr. Oliver Sacks. Dr. Amen is suggesting that more subtle issues, previously thought of as purely psychological, may also have origins in the physicality of the brain. He uses a scanning procedure called SPECT to take pictures of the brain activity to see normal and abnormal patterns that can help explain things like depression, ADD, OCD, temper and aggression, etc.

It was relatively easy to identify myself and many of my family in this book, which I found amusing. According to the book, I have an overactive deep limbic system and cingulate, which causes depression and obsessive negative thinking. I'm betting that's the same for ALL the women in my family. And my grandfather, at least, as well as the man I chose to marry, probably has an overactive basil ganglia, causing anxiety, as well as an overactive cingulate, causing obessiveness, conflict avoidance, and rigidity of routine. I'm sure my father has his issues as well, though I haven't had enough contact with him to do more than speculate.

The book includes "prescriptions" for helping normalize each part of the brain--not drugs per se, though those are included, but other things you can do, such as diet, exercise, and techniques. Sadly, regular exercise and avoidance of caffiene is suggested for both of my issues. Though I'm not interested enough in my own physicality to motivate me to exericse (I believe WHO I am as a person, my ability to be a positive impact on others, my ability to think and reason, is much more important than how I dress, if I'm attractive, and how much I weight), I am very interested in my brain's ability to function properly, and so this may prove the motivation I need to do it.

I was especially pleased to read, in Dr. Amen's index of drugs, that the depression med I'm on now, the one that has been the most successful for me, is one that acts particularly on my two problem areas. Sadly, the doctors and I stumbled on that only by luck.

The impact of head trauma is also discussed in detail in this book and I think the results of this are amazing. Dr. Amen has many stories of patients who were told by doctors, after a minor head trauma, that they had recovered completely. However, their personality changed drastically after the incident "without explanation." Dr. Amen's SPECT studies showed the reason, though; sections of the brain that cannot function normally due to the damage.

I think one of the great things about this book is it can help people with psychological problems understand that their conditions are not the result of weak wills, poor upbringing, bad character, or insubstantial phychological issues. They are the real result of physcial problems, just like any other disease. This realization may help people get beyond the stigma of mental problems and accept help they may not have gotten otherwise. I was very fortunate, when I was identifying and working through my own depression issues, that I had a good therapist who convinced me that my depression issues were no different than my asthma -- I had no choice about either affliction, they were inherited, and it had nothing to do with who I was as a person or how strong or good I was. This is an important thing to accept if you're going to get help and work through your issues to become the person you really are.

As I'm really familiar with the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator -- a personality inventory -- I would be curious to see how it stacks up against Dr. Amen's work. Many of the prescriptions for my overactive cingulate, for example, are exactly the same as Dr. Otto Kroeger made for Thinker-Judgers in his Type Talk book. I think that could make a fascinating study.

Besides helping me understand myself better, what things like the MBTI and now Amen's book do for me is help me realize that all those awful, selfish, egotistical, annoying, frustrating people out there probably CAN'T HELP the way they are. They aren't neccessarily CHOOSING to be jerks or to make life miserable for other people, they just can't help it. And that helps me be more tolerant and, if I'm quick enough, helps me learn techniques for dealing with them more effectively.(less)

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05/22/09

Lance rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: health

Read in May, 2009

I read this mainly due to my recent interest in mind/body medicine. The discussion of the different structures of the brain is very interesting and simplified enough for the average person to find useful. I found his "prescriptions" to be no-brainers, things that have been recommended for years . . . and there was a little bit too much of the "power of positive thinking" in the book.

What I found most useful was his discussion on ADD. His observations made a lot...more

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03/24/09

Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

I have bipolar disorder, and this book helped give me more direction in treating and controlling it. I found myself described very well in Dr. Ahmen's case studies, self-tests, and medical studies. He dispenses more than just medication (which, by the way, I take and fully support) - he offers direction in psychotherapy and behavioral therapy as well. I found the book encouraging and helpful as did my husband. He's not bipolar; he was able to relate more to me and help me determining things ...more

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11/27/08

Gwen rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in January, 2009

Heard it quoted on a lightweight radio show, so I'm a little skeptical, but also desperate to fight the winter blues...This is in keeping with my friend's command to boycott Russian literature due to its heavy and despairing nature.
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Well, it was worth reading, I guess, if for no other reason than to leave it to the experts to know all the brain stuff. A lot of anecdotal material, to me, always indicates in neon blinkers "written for the laymen who are desperate...more

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10/14/08

D rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: nonfiction, self-help

Read in October, 2008

recommended to D by: I checked this book out after seeing Dr. Amen give a presentatio

My hubby and I saw Daniel Amen give a presentation on PBS on the nutrition-brain-wellness connection and were intrigued. I think I accidentally bought the wrong book on Amazon. Anyhoo, we *are* trying to incorporate the brain foods that Amen recommended in his PBS presentation into our weekly diet:

1. Fish--salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring
2. Poultry--chicken and turkey
3. Meat--lean beef and pork
4. Eggs
5. Tofu and soy products
6. Dairy products--low-fat che...more

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10/08/08

Doran Barton rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in October, 2008

When I picked this book, I thought it was going to be more about changing the way you think. I thought it was going to be more of a self-help, train yourself to think more productively, kind of book. It's not, but the information in this book is very valuable to anyone who has dealt with mental... I don't want to call them "illnesses," but they are sometimes characterized that way: depression, anxiety, obsession, ADD, etc.

Dr. Amen explains the current scientific beliefs su...more

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09/29/08

Marley rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

I channel surfed onto a PBS special where the author was talking about this book. I came into the program part way into it, with the author discussing attention deficit disorder although I didn't quite get the full gist of it as I was IM-ing with a friend and playing a computer game at the same time ... which made me think that I probably needed to learn more so I checked the book out from the library.

It's a really fascinating book on brain disorders. The coolest part is that it includ...more

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12/01/07

Raes rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Based on how stupid and slow-moving I was feeling, I followed this author's advice and moved around my meals to have the high-protein stuff in the morning. I was a new person and have felt so much sharper and on the ball since.

The personal success story aside, I enjoyed learning about SPECT imaging and seeing pictures of "holes" created in the brain from chronic drug and alcohol abuse. I also managed to find compassion for a schmuck I used to work with. (Now that sounds...more

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02/01/09

Jostalady rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: recommend, the-real-world

Read in January, 2008

This is a very useful tool to make choices now that will improve your everyday life, and help protect your future. I strongly believe this should be taught in public school, it is that essential to everyone to know this stuff. Dr. Amen has several other books, and this is the best introduction to his important work. I took notes, warched his seminars on it on OPB, and moved on to several of his other books...

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06/08/09

Carole rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in June, 2009

I saw this guy (Dr. Amen) on the PBS pledge drive. I was looking for a quilting show, but he was so interesting and so charismatic I immediately became his disciple. Fortunately, for me, my enthusiasms never last. Anyway, I'm reading his book, which is helpful, but I'm only going to read about my brain functionality (Pre-frontal cortex) so I probably won't read the rest. (I did buy fish oil though.)

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11/23/08

Debbie Pitts rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in October, 2003

recommends it for: Anyone who has a family member struggling with depression, ADHD, or any other neurologic issue

Great book. Helps you figure out what portion of the brain may be responsible for neurologic disorders and gives medicinal, behavioral, and nutritional solutions to deal with problems. Dr. Amen is a pioneer in spect scan technologies and his research has provided a wealth of knowledge about the mysterious functioning of the human brain.

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04/05/09

Carol Byers rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

Read in November, 2008

Since I believe we can direct our lives, I found this an interesting read on managing negative thoughts and positive living. Dr. Amen includes a number of his patient case histories with corresponding brain scans that give one the impetus to take care of our brains - not just thoughts but what foods and drugs we place in our bodies.

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02/27/09

Deb added it (review of isbn 0812929985)

This book's premise is that there is scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures in your brain work. It talks about how they do maps of the brain and prove it and write ways you can trick or train your brain to improve on these things.

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02/06/09

Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 0812929985)

bookshelves: 2009, health

Read in February, 2009

Yet another book by a Dr who thinks they've found the answer to all of American humanity's woes with their theory. Some parts were interesting, although he depends heavily on the latest drugs.

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