Betrayal by the Brain

by Jay A. Goldstein

In his trademark, revolutionary style, Dr. Goldstein uses his model of neural dysregulation to incorporate basic neuroscience research into pathophysiology and treatment. Betrayal by the Brain presents a comprehensive thesis that clearly defines the biological basis for many of the varied symptoms experienced by chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Dr. Goldstein provides a rationale for the use of symptomatic therapies that have worked in many CFS patients. Betrayal by the Brain is a valuable handbook to assist the medical professional in the diagnosis and treatment of the many patients afflicted with this illness. It is of great value to medical professionals as well as academic researchers in psychiatry, biobehavioral sciences, psychoneuroimmunology, and pain management.Dr. Goldstein has added layers of regulation to the limbic system that help further explain limbic dysfunction in neurosomatic disorders, and he suggests novel methods of remediation. Betrayal by the Brain represents integrative thinking and the latest research and discoveries by Dr. Goldstein on neurosomatic disorders--the most common group of illnesses for which patients consult physicians.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Health, Psychology

314 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 1996

About the author

Jay A. Goldstein is an American physician and author. He trained in psychiatry but is board-certified in family practice. After his studies, he focused on the field of neurology and neuropharmacology, inventing what he calls neurosomatic medicine. For two decades he treated primarily patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, which he considers to be neurosomatic illnesses.

Goldstein has published over 40 papers in peer-reviewed journals about many different subjects, primarily related to pharmacotherapy, often pioneering the use of a medication for an off-label use. He has authored five medical books, most of them about chronic fatigue syndrome. Since 1988 Goldstein has contributed extensively to the CFS publications The CFIDS Chronicle and The National Forum. He has also helped to organize of several conferences about the illness.

He lives in Orange, California with his wife Gail and their son Jordan.

Reviews

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My doctor made me read this book along with many others. We have to help ourselves by reading as much information on this as we can. I think if you have fibromalgia Dr. Starlanyl's book is far better and makes more sense to me.

I did the protocol that she suggests to avoid salicylates as I was in the hospitals due to salicylates the internist told me. Avoiding them is super hard to do. ChrisL suggested an even better book for me for avoiding them and understanding the problem which seems to be genetic. I forget the name of it at the moment but I believe its on the MCS Listopia.

Practically every woman I met has fibro these days. Its really an epidemic. IMO it is due to all the endless toxins which are everywhere and we cannot avoid them. I also believe that fibro may be a forerunner to arthritis but the doctors don't tell you that you have arthritis or most of them won't as they don't have any good meds for it. There are none for fibro either. Just more poisons. I was offered chemo for my RA if you can believe it. I said NO! Sheesh! What are they thinking? Well, I could rant and rave about it for hours.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps one to understand the neurology behind fibromyalgia and similar illnesses. It is not the easiest book for laypeople to understand, and the author condensed/simplified it for a lay audience in a second book, A Companion Volume to Dr. Jay A. Goldstein's Betrayal by the Brain: A Guide for Patients and Their Physicians, written with Katie Cormel.

[Suzanne Newnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful. My doctor recommended it to read. Hadn't looked at neural pathways since studying back in 1992 (and not requiring that knowledge since then) but the case studies and conclusions offered made interesting reading. Not for self-diagnosis, however, I would recommend anyone with symptoms relating to the various conditions read and discuss with their own doctor.

[Dovile]

I don't have words to describe how excited I am after reading this book. My jaw dropped so many times while reading it. Thank you Jay Goldstein for writing this masterpiece. Thank you for all the work you did to treat those suffering with chronic fatigue and other neurosomatic disorders.