Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
compare prices
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
by
3.74 of 5 stars
BRAIN PRESCRIPTIONS THAT REALLY WORK
In this breakthrough bestseller, you'll see scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obses... read full description

reviews

May 01, 2011
Dawn rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I thought this was very informative,a lot of aha moments, not what I had originally expected ,not your typical lose whieght, eat this kind of book, makes a lot of sense
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
May 01, 2011
Linda rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I wish I could rate individual chapters of this book. Half the information in it is stuff we've been hearing for years: drink enough water. Get enough sleep. Don't drink to excess, or do drugs. Eat sensibly (although like everyone else, he gives contradictory info on what constitutes a "sensible" diet). Don't engage in behaviors that could result in trauma to the brain.

But then he throws in amazing tidbits, such as this one about cholesterol. Everyone knows too much More...
4 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Tim rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Dr. Daniel Amen’s latest ‘Change Your Brain, Change Your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted’ is less of the traditional folksy-health wisdom, as much as it is a consumer facing scientific study of exactly how the brain works to insure (or debilitate) the quest for better health. Though example after example, using neurological testing and imaging, Amen explains his basic premise ‘when your brain works right, your body looks and feels better. When your brain is t More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Kristy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was really impressed with this book. I am a huge fan of Dr. Amen and feel that his contributions to mental health are invaluable. Even if you've ever read any of Dr. Amen's other books, you will definitely learn something from this one as well. I was concerned that the information he provided in CYBCYB would merge together with his previous works, but that was not the case. There was new information presented in a unique way that was directly geared to brain health and physical health. After r More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
kk rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I am very grateful for Dr. Amen's work. I like his approach in optimizing your health. He emphasizes that there is a direct connection to the way you feel to the health of your brain. I agree with this approach. And though I am only half way through the book I have to say that he emphasizes the same suggestions throughout the book and it gets daunting to read over and over again: get adequate sleep, exercise, eat healthy brain food, take supplements, etc - in every chapter.

The book d More...
1 comment like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Randall rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Complex subject--easy reading. This book was great, so far I've lost 30 lbs by applying some of Dr. Amen's suggestions. I find it fascinating that we can control our health by being "Brain" conscience. This book has also helped me have a more positive outlook in general. Not only do I recommend this book to read, I also suggest applying much of the information in your daily life and you will feel better and see much improvement in your health, both physically and emotionally. Who More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 06, 2009
Sue rated it: 4 of 5 stars
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...
1 comment like (1 person liked it)
Jun 27, 2011
Megan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I read this on the advice of a friend. This book describes the author's work using a brain imaging technique to look at which parts of the brain are active under different conditions, and to examine how abnormalities in brain activity are reflected in personality and behavior. I found the information to be interesting. Another goal of the book is to describe some ways to treat abnormal brain activity patterns (or their resulting psychological conditions) which was also moderately interesting, More...
0 comments like
Nov 03, 2010
Dennis rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this a lot. Scared me straight. It got me thinking about acquaintances who have taken too many drugs and why they keep telling the same stories over and over again, and why some people behave the way they do. Do you or your friends have senior moments? Early signs of dementia? There may be a cause, like their brain is missing something. There are dire consequences for damaging your brain with drugs, alcohol, or trauma.

Dr Amen used a specific type of brain scan, a SPECT, More...
0 comments like
Apr 20, 2010
T. rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. I picked up this piece thinking it would be some Dr Phil level 'common sense' (read unresearched, brow-bashing) advice piece.

Instead I found it a detailed well-balanced academic/practical book about the relationship between brain patterns and problem-behaviour. In reference to the title, I found the chapter on the Cingulate part of the brain to be absolutely enlightening. Individuals with over actice cingulate's tend to hold grudges and automatically respond in the negative.
More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 28, 2009
Donna added it
Your brain is the hardware of your soul.
--Dr. Daniel Amen

After reading about half the book, I grew weary of the repetitive pattern of naming a part of the brain, describing its function in terms of behavior, and then offering advice about how to improve its performance. Dr. Amen's recommendations range from common sense (good nutrition) to unproven and New Age techniques (such as EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to invasive and controversial treatments (i More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 15, 2009
Cathy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is an excellent resource. I highly recommend it. It explains behavior in a whole new way. 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 More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jun 04, 2009
Ben rated it: 3 of 5 stars
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...
0 comments like
May 01, 2011
Lisa rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Good basic information on the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, moderation, sleep, etc. for improving health and maintaining a healthy weight. The twist that distinguishes the information in this book from other "healthy life recipes" is the focus on the use of brain scans to help assess adequate brain function. People with impairments and functional limitations may experience difficulty in controlling impulses and exercising will power necessary to effectively manage weight.
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
May 01, 2011
Jenny rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Very interesting material based on new science regarding the brain. A lot of the recommendations are "common sense" actions to improve overall health. What I found intriguing was learning how the systems of the body are interconnected in ways I hadn't considered and how some lifestyle behaviors are caused by deficiencies in the brain that in turn affect the body in unexpected ways. Definitely, going to start taking fish oil & vitamin D along with getting more sleep & exercise.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Marsha rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I finished this book last week. It helped add info to my knowledge and I'm glad I read it. I don't know if I buy the whole brain scan thing...but then I just don't know.
But I did like the nutritional information and it matched up with information that I'd gathered from other places.
I do see that mastering the internal dialog of the brain put a person's body in a much stronger position...along with your ability to control/determine exactly what you want for yourself.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
JoAnn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
One of the most innovative and comprehensive books on health, aging, and the brain that I have read this year. Alot of the information may be common sense, but I for one need to be constantly motivated and reminded to stay on track by books like this. And the information on the mind-body connection is based on current research and offers a new thoughtful and creative approach toward healing the brain to achieve a healthier body.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Nov 01, 2009
Dawn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fascinating and powerful book. I read relatively little non-fiction, but I'm glad I read this one. Dr. Amen is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who pioneered the use of SPECT imaging brain scans to help his patients. He found that he could see actual physical/chemical changes in specific regions of the brain which corresponded to various mental health issues. These scans help him more accurately diagnose and treat patients. Dr. Amen uses the analogy that when the computer hardwar More...
6 comments like
Jun 29, 2009
Coventry rated it: 4 of 5 stars
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...
0 comments like
May 01, 2011
Mlg rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Saw part of this Dr's special on PBS and decided to read his book. He makes some good points about brain fitness and shows brain scans to show you the difference between healthy and unhealthy brains. Most of the info on weight is what most people already know, but his advice on supplementation to deal with cravings and other issues was interesting. If you have bad habits this book could scare you straight.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 07, 2010
Peacegal rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This book offered a fascinating look into the brain and the root of human behavior, with the goal of changing some of the more negative and harmful aspects of our thought processes. I was able to see my lifelong tendency toward anxiety in a whole new light.

For the most part, I found Amen's suggestions helpful, especially little tricks to try when caught in a loop of negative thinking. It struck me that the author, true to his name, is religious, but I'm glad he didn't pound reader More...
1 comment like
Oct 18, 2011
Vitaly rated it: 3 of 5 stars
«Ознакомившись с результатами пяти тысяч обследований SPECT, вкупе с историями болезней этих пациентов, я пришел к убеждению, что – это мы, когда наш мозг работает нормально. Когда он работает нормально, мы более внимательные, более целеустремленные, мы больше интересуемся другими людьми. Мы добрее, эмоционально стабильнее, терпимее».

Хочу сказать, что до этой книги я ничего подобного не читал. Не читал в смысле того, что не читал книги с медицинской тематикой. Я обладаю весьма посред More...
3 comments like (1 person liked it)
Apr 28, 2009
Tim rated it: 3 of 5 stars
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...
0 comments like
May 01, 2011
Glenda rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A must read for those conscious of brain health and especially for those who have yet to realize the importance of brain health. Dr. Amen's work is amazing and can help those of us who have suffered through chronic depression, PTSD, anxiety, and many more brain dysfunctions. Oh yes, addictions and eating disorders apply.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 04, 2011
Sue rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This has been one of the best resource books I've run across in a long time. It's a self help book that is practical and informative and trully makes so much sense!!! If you can understand the underlying issues - medical or psychological - that you may have, you can start to help yourself. It's okay to say - I need help and get it. Most people out there have some degree of dysfunction that impedes their ability to make the best decisions that will be in their own best interest.

Wh More...
0 comments like
May 01, 2011
Kit rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Pulled this from the library's Ipod available books for a long trip. I thought I'd just skim through it but found it so interesting I listened thoroughly. I especially paid attention to the info on caffeine and artificial sweetener - both I live on! Something must have made an impression on me, I bought Stevia today.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Sandy rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting read -- I skimmed and scanned some parts, and focused on others, like the connection between attitudes about eating, weight, and brain function. The author included interesting nuggest about diet and exercise as they relate to particular strengths/weaknesses of individual brain function.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Mar 25, 2010
Audrey L rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is another fascinating book. Many marriages could be helped if they read this I'll bet. Dr. Amen does groundbreaking work with brain SPECT scans. Any doctor will take an actual look into the problem area of the body...now we finally have a psych guy actually looking at the brain.

Dr. Amen's books are easy to read and have many case studies and examples that are great illustrations of what he's trying to teach. He gives quizzes to help you pinpoint what type of brain you have an More...
0 comments like
Jan 22, 2010
Amanda rated it: 2 of 5 stars
While I enjoy learning about the different areas of the human brain, such as the deep limbic system, basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, among others, and the aspects of our behavior for which they are responsible, Daniel G. Amen focuses solely on case study after case study after case study as evidence for how effective various medications can be. We are never given a zoomed-out view on all of his patients; he only focuses on subjects that received "successful" treatments.

H More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Cori rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Skimmed through this book to the parts I can and will use. Very interesting and I'm trying the suggestions he gives to help with cravings and improving my brain function.

I also learned a lot more about head injuries and how to help Alex (if he'll let me).
1 comment like (1 person liked it)