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 Brain, Change Your Life fits in perfectly. Filled with brain prescriptions (among them cognitive exercises and nutritional advice) that are geared toward readers who ve experienced anxiety, depression, impulsiveness, excessive anger or worry, and obsessive behavior, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life milks the mind-body connection for all it s worth. Written by a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has also authored a book on attention deficit disorder, Change Your Brain contains dozens of brain scans of patients with various neurological problems, from caffeine, nicotine, and heroin addiction to manic-depression to epilepsy. These scans, often showing large gaps in neurological activity or areas of extreme overactivity, are downright frightening to look at, and Dr. Amen should know better than to resort to such scare tactics. But he sho...

#Change Your Brain--HAVE A BETTER LIFE! (2004-07-09) Another excellent book by Dr. Amen, which is so fascinating about how the brain works and how with the newest diagnostic tools, it can be ",tweaked", so our lives can be the best they can be. Very interesting read. Dr. Amen was a welcomed guest on my Internet radio program, Coping with Caregiving. Jacqueline Marcell, Author, Elder Rage

#Your Brain on TOAST! (2004-01-30) Fascinating book, looking at physiological and functional problems in the brain due to trauma or drug use (both legal and illegal) - the SPECT images are *scary* !! Useful for self-examination as well as understanding odd behavioral patterns in others.

#A fine book (2003-11-02) Dr. Daniel Amen, MD is a pioneer in the up and coming technology of functional neuroimaging. Using SPECT scans, functional MRI and PET scans Neuro oriented psychiatrists such as Dr. Amen are finally beginning to be able to see in images what mental illness looks like. Thanks to the computer and high technology, this sort of thing is possible for the first time ever. Dr. Amen should be commended for his vision and imagination. He is trying to go against the grain of mainstream psychiatry by trying to improve diagnosis of serious mental illness via SPECT s...

#Change your brain for the better (2003-03-28) This is a pretty good book that appeals to the broad audience of just about anyone who has suffered from at least mild mental distress, and that includes about everyone. I agree with the doctor s philosophy that most mental disturbances can be attributed to metabolic abnormalities in different regions of the brain, though there s nothing too earthshaking about this idea. Many of the cognitive therapy excercises seem to be derived from ideas that Aaron Beck and David Burns have had, though the doctor does a good job summarizing and pres...

#After I read this.... (2002-12-26) This book will make you want to change your brain! Surrendering caffeine was my answer. I would consume coffee or even caffeine pills to get going in the morning. I have surrendered these after reading the good doctor s book. I still consume it in lower doses but have reduced my gross intake considerably. I feel it has made a considerable difference for me. Perhaps it will for you as well. The book presents the results of what was groundbreaking scanning techniques for studying brain function. Dr. Amen compares the brain function of ADHD, chem...

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk is an excellent communication tool kit based on a series of workshops developed by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Faber and Mazlish (coauthors of Siblings Without Rivalry) provide a step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house. The Reminder pages, helpful cartoon illustrations, and excellent exercises will improve your ability as a parent to talk and problem-solve with your children. The book can be used alone or in parenting groups, and the solid tools provided are appropriate for kids of all ages.

#A MUST for parents (2006-12-05) I first read this book in college, and found that the principles it discusses work just as well with adults as it does with children. Portions of the book have given me great success in dealing with difficult coworkers. It helped me to overcome some problematic situations with my wife as well.

#A terrific book (2004-06-08) I feel this should be required reading for parents (and people in general). Easy to read. Great concepts. Great examples. And just as importantly, the tone is very respectful of the parents (so many of the other books on this topic tend to talk to parents like they don t get it. . . ). I recommend it heartily.

#Talking To Feelings With Just the Right Words...WORKS! (2004-03-18) Although this best selling book was originally written more than 20 years ago, I find the advice and specific suggestions extremely on target in 2004. The main strategy that has made such a positive difference in my life is to acknowlege my child s feelings before I give the direction for compliance. Most of the time, I do try to give well-meaning, honest (not always calm) responses to my 3-year-old that unfortunately sometimes escalate into a raging tantrum or no win power struggle such as in the following example a...

#If you only read one parenting book... (2004-03-08) . . . make it this one. Effective communication is the foundation of good parenting. This book has practical, easy-to-implement techniques to improve your communication with your kids. The format is such that busy parents can pick it up and read briefly, yet still come away with a couple useful ideas to put into play right away. It is written in themed sections and there are cartoon scenarios to illustrate exchanges between parents and kids. The cartoons show things going poorly and then a better way to approach the exchange...

#The Communication Bible (2003-12-29) As a parent of 3 toddlers, I ve read lots and this is by far the most useful, intelligent and common sense approach to communicating with anyone. If you read one book on parenting, this is it. It changed our lives. By practicing the concepts in this book, you will raise children that are self confident, curious and not afraid to communicate their feelings. Childrend want to tell you how they feel, the trick is learning how to respond. Now, of course, I watch our friends make far-reaching mistakes with their kids. . . but that s another boo...