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Summary: A Fascinating Integration of Medicine and Psychology
Review: Many books are one-sided arguments for the causes of depression and anxiety. According to these biased books, depressions stems from:Past child abuse and other negative environment factors Holding your body in a depressing way - bent down, frowning, etc. Medical causes Poor diet, lack of exercise Isolation Fill in the blank But this book is different. Healing Anxiety and Depression is a refreshing book, for it takes all of the above factors and mixes it into a complete approach to the causes and treatment of anxiety and depression. Moreover, Daniel Amen, M.D. and his co-author, Lisa C. Routh, M.D. have pioneered the use of a brain imaging technology known as SPECT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. This interesting brain scanning method is different than other methods because it allows one to see how certain parts of the brain interact to cause these debilitating conditions. Other
methods of brain imaging only give a surface view of the brain - which is of very little use for psychiatry. The authors also touch upon how these areas of the brain cause insomnia, suicide and violence as well. They also point out the different causes of anxiety and depression between the genders. They convincingly describe gender differences from social, psychological, and biological perspectives. In short: they give you the full picture on depression from every possible angle - literally. In between the pages, interspersed among case histories, personal stories, and scientific explanations, you will find actual pictures of the five areas of the brain they have focused on via SPECT technology: 1.) Basal Ganglia
2.) Deep Limbic System
3.) Anterior Cingulate Gyrus
4.) Temporal Lobes
5.) Prefrontal Cortex Furthermore, the authors have taken these five areas of the brain, and through thousands of their own patients, compiled their findings on how these five areas interact to cause seven variations of depression and anxiety: 1.) Pure Anxiety
2.) Pure Depression
3.) Mixed Anxiety and Depression
4.) Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
5.) Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
6.) Angry Anxiety/Depression
7.) Unfocused Anxiety/Depression There's only one drawback to this book: the technical terms can be a bit annoying. I constantly flipped back to beginning chapters to refresh my memory on what they were talking about. The medications and dosages - and their variations, are mind-boggling. Ask your doctor about them. Despite this, the book is worth the extra memory and concentration required to comprehend it. It's very empowering too: Dr. Amen is a strong advocate for natural supplements, exercise, and deep diaphragmatic breathing. He also gives the reader a simple, flexible, easy-to-follow diet that'll maximize your brain function. More wisely, however, he directs you towards a way of eating that's based not on a one-size-fits-all mentality, but a diet that is focused on your
particular type of anxiety and/or depression. He also has his own version of cognitive therapy: ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and ANTeaters, developed by Amen as a child psychiatrist to help make the ideas a bit more concrete for children. Amen's short chapter on the power of thoughts can help you take more responsibility for your own
thinking. Closing with "32 Strategies to Overcome Anxiety and Depression," along with a chart summarizing "diagnostic and treatment principles," this book will give you the real knowledge you need to manage your life on a whole new level.
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Summary: Dr. Amen has done it again!
Review: Once again Dr. Amen writes about "cutting edge" science yet in an easy to understand style. He is one of the nation's leaders finally making sense of common psychological disorders. It is no longer acceptable to merely say someone is Depressed or Anxious. Research is clearly demonstrating sub-typing of these problems and the need for specific treatments based on the brain's response - and you can see it for yourself in his SPECT images of the brain. Understanding these different types changes the success rate of therapy. Not only should you read this book, but you should buy one for your therapist or physician.
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Summary: A Real Contribution
Review: Prior to Dr. Amen's publication of his work with ADHD, we in psychology were quasi-cavemen about brain function and attentional disorders. For whatever critique one might have regarding his diagnosis-based-on-scans, Dr. Amen singlehandedly eludicated the public about certain brain function. He has done it again! This book contributes in two path-blazing ways: 1). It "de-stigmatizes" depression and anxiety-- something everyone suffers, in various degrees, at one time or another. 2). He presents natural strategies for treatment-- something most Americans want and have had difficulty finding. It is always uplifting to find a book that makes the world better and a little less dark.
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Summary: Taking Behavioral Assessment and Treatment to New Heights
Review: Revolutionizing Behavioral Health, Dr. Amen has tackled the very complex issues of anxiety and depression and reduced them to understandable and treatable concepts validated and supported by objective SPECT study findings. Clinicians will be amazed at the potential for holistic healing outlined in the various chapters. Millions of Americans and individuals around the world can benefit from the easily readable format. Readers can self-assess and coordinate with their providers to begin treatment regimens which will no doubt be life changing. "Healing Anxiety and Depression" will be responsible for easing a multitude of symptoms and for contributing immeasurably to the alleviation of considerable personal and interpersonal suffering. Once again, Dr. Amen has moved the profession beyond the cutting edge.
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Summary: a brain spect experts opinion of Anxiety and Depression
Review: The latest release by Dr.Amen is his best synthesis of applying a brain system approach to the symptomatology manifesting as clincial anxiety and depression. Emerging research in the cognitive neurosciences adds increasing support to his experience using SPECT. The current tools used at the university level are more sophisticated (Functional MRI, Transcranial Magnetic Imaging and PET )but are not in conflict with his findings. The graphic and concise presentation of brain images and text allows both the novice and more familiar reader of Amen's works to understand the overlapping features of these disorders. An advantage of his style is that a reader may begin the book from any section or chapter. I found this benefit very useful for myself and amongst my patients in our search for the chapter that is most " Us ". I highly recommend this book as an addition to the bookshelf of the American public. www.brain-spect.com
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Summary: Evidence can build acceptance
Review: This comprehensive review of the specific physical, brain presentations of depression and anxiety takes emotional illness out of the quagmire of possibilities into real medical science. "Healing Anxiety and Depression" is another of Amen's ground breaking reviews of the value of SPECT scans for not only understanding the brain origins of these problems, but also can provide answers regarding the effectiveness of specific medications as well. If you know someone who doubts that these problems are real or can be fixed, just send them to the sections regarding treatment results. If you are a therapist and interested in the most recent advances in differential diagnosis, this book will take you into the future of mental health diagnosis and treatment. Amen makes difficult concepts understandable and easily applicable to the kinds of difficulties we see in everyday clinical practice.
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Summary: At last! A Textbook for Patients to Read
Review: This is an unprecedented book. Amen and Routh have produced a comprehensive textbook for patients which is completely readable and well-balanced. They have also freshly integrated Dr. Amen's ground-breaking observations from brain scan imagery into a lucid array of treatment options. My few quibbles stem from the rapid changes in the field of psychopharmacology, but anyone using this book to understand their medication "cocktail" should be working collboratively with their own doctor. Disclosure: Drawn by Daniel Amen's creative and, I believe, brilliant work, I have gotten to know Dr. Amen personally, and consider him a valued colleague in Southern California. Thomas M Brod MD, Assist. Clinical Professor, Dept of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
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