Healing Anxiety and Depression

by Daniel G. Amen and Lisa C. Routh

Book Overview

Based on brain-imaging science, Healing Anxiety and Depression reveals the major anxiety and depression centers of the brain, offers tools to determine the specific type of disorder, and provides a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399150366
• ISBN13: 9780399150364
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A Fascinating Integration of Medicine and Psychology

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 factorsHolding your body in a depressing way - bent down, frowning, etc.Medical causesPoor diet, lack of exerciseIsolationFill in the blankBut 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 Ganglia2.) Deep Limbic System3.) Anterior Cingulate Gyrus4.) Temporal Lobes5.) Prefrontal CortexFurthermore, 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 Anxiety2.) Pure Depression3.) Mixed Anxiety and Depression4.) Overfocused Anxiety/Depression5.) Cyclic Anxiety/Depression6.) Angry Anxiety/Depression7.) Unfocused Anxiety/DepressionThere'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 al

Good for laypeople with depression/anxiety, too!

I could write something long and flowery, but I'll keep it brief. I have had depression for over 20 years. For the first time EVER, I fully understand what's going on with me. I no longer feel defective or like it's my fault for having a weak character or whatever. I finally understand that it's an actual medical problem, one that can be fixed. I can't wait to take care of it now that I know what's wrong. This book will make you think of your own brain in a very different way.

A "Must Read" for Anyone Facing Anxiety/Depression

Healing Anxiety and Depression is an easy-to-read book that shines a spotlight on anxiety and depressive disorders from the perspective of brain functioning, as opposed to the traditional diagnostic approach based primarily on symptom clusters. In this book, Dr. Amen and Dr. Routh clearly explain the following five major interconnected brain circuits that underlie most of these disorders:* basal ganglia-sets the body's idling level* deep limbic system-sets the mind's feeling tone* anterior cingulated gyrus-helps shift attention* temporal lobes-helps mood stability, temper control, and memory* prefrontal cortex-helps with decision making, attention span, judgment, and impulse controlThe authors describe in detail the functions associated with each of these brain components, as well as the common difficulties that arise when that particular part of the brain is not functioning well. They proceed to propose a new way of approaching treatment for anxiety and depression, based on their finding that anxiety and depression commonly occur together, that they are largely the result of brain dysfunction, and that there are seven different types of anxiety/depressive disorders, with a number of effective treatment approaches for each type. The seven disorder types the authors describe are:* Pure Anxiety* Pure Depression* Mixed Anxiety and Depression* Overfocused Anxiety/Depression* Cyclic Anxiety/Depression* Temporal Lobe Anxiety/Depression* Unfocused Anxiety/DepressionThe book explores each disorder type in detail, including illustrating the brain functioning patterns the authors have found associated with each, based on their work with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans. It also contains a questionnaire to help the reader identify if he meets the criteria for each disorder type (this questionnaire is not meant to render a diagnosis).When describing their treatment approaches for each disorder type, the authors go well beyond a thorough discussion of prescription medications to include discussion of natural supplements, diet, cognitive therapy (e.g., changing Automatic Negative Thoughts, or "ANTs), the healing power of relationships, the impact of breathing properly, and biofeedback.The authors also explore gender differences (e.g., hormonal factors) associated with anxiety/depressive disorders, and the impact of these disorders on families. They include a whole chapter on the topic of insomnia, and conclude with a host of resources.As is typical of Dr. Amen's books, this book takes a complex subject and breaks it down into essential components that are easy to understand. By including "healthy brain" SPECT scans next to the scans of people suffering from one of the seven anxiety/depressive disorder types, the brain functioning patterns seem very clear. By including real-life anecdotes about the patients that correspond with the brain scans, including their diagnoses, treatment approaches, and treatment results, the book leaves