Editorial Review

The same brain chemicals that are altered by antidepressant drugs arealso affected by the foods we eat. According to addiction expert DesMaisons,many people, including those who are depressed, are "sugar sensitive."Eating sweets gives them a temporary emotional boost, which leads to a cravingfor still more sweets. The best way to keep these brain chemicals in the rightbalance and keep blood-sugar levels steady, she says, is through the dietaryplan she describes in Read more

Reviews (120)

A step towards an increased understanding of serotonin.
"Potatoes not Prozac" is the most popular of the serotonin literature that has been produced over the last several years. I have read two other books "Secrets of Serotonin" by Carol Hart and "The Serotonin Solution" by Judith J. Wurtman. They all agree that the best way to boost serotonin levels is to eat an nearly all carbohydrate meal or large snack at least three hours after consuming the last protein food. Proteins contain the amino acid tryptophan which is needed to make serotonin. However, the tryptophan molecules are large and have difficulty crossing the blood brain barrier when other amino acids are present. The eating of carbohydrates boosts the levels of insulin in our blood. Insulin moves these other amino acids into the muscle cells allowing the tryptophan to more abundantly enter into the brain.
Deanna
This book has changed my life in only one month.I wake with balanced even mood.I have lost weight.The sugar cravings have disappeared.It is work to eat in balanced meals, but worth the effort. I am a vegetarian and it was hard to eat that much protein. I now can see how commercially processed food is overstimulating our taste buds, which then deadens them until they only want sugar and salt.Now I can enjoy the taste of quinoa, beets, and cabbage.These foods were unappealing and tasteless only a month ago.

An Amazing Find!
This book has changed my life. I was all over the board emotionally, stressed out, depressed and gaining weight. By following the simple guidelines in the book, I have successfully eliminated sugar and caffeine from my diet, bringing about a stability in my blood sugar along with my emotions. And, as a plus, I've lost 5 lbs. in a week! America's parents need to get a copy and put it to use if they love their kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Depression (Psychology)    3. Depression, Mental    4. Diet Therapy    5. Diets - General    6. Diets - Special Conditions    7. Diets - Weight Loss    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Mental Illness    11. Nutrition    12. Nutritional aspects    13. Popular works    14. Complementary Medicine    15. Health & Fitness / Diets   

Reviews (6)

Buy it. Read it. Give it to your students.
It is difficult to overstate my enthusiasm for this book as a resource for students and practioners alike.Clearly written, simply organized, accessible and nuanced; this volume is simply the best introductory text on the subject of mental health interviewing available today. The best book of its kind
There are a lot of interviewing primers out there, but this is a book to really digest.The subtleties of interviewing are slowly and methodically explored with enough "meat" that you don't feel like you've just eaten a lot of cotton candy, as with some other texts.(Of the lighter texts though, I recommend Robinson's "Three Spheres".)Great book.Thanks Dr. Shea!

Sleuthing The Ghosts Of Mental Illness
Shawn Christopher Shea does not quite measure up to Irwin Yalom as a poet/philosopher in the realm of psychiatry and mental health. And yet, like Dr. Yalom, the master of group psychotherapy, Dr. Shea is very good in his own published niche, the art and science of psychiatric assessment. Unlike Yalom's specialty,Shea's work contains the elements of life and death. A superficial or faulty diagnosis can result at worst in suicide, homicide, or fatal medication reaction. Thus, while Shea is a funny and thoughtful man in his own right, his book is of necessity grave. Coupled with thoroughness, this gravity makes the work a standard referral source that should enjoy a long shelf life.Read more

Subjects:  1. Interview, Psychological    2. Interviewing in psychiatry    3. Medical    4. Mental Illness    5. Physician-Patient Relations    6. Psychiatric Diagnosis    7. Psychiatry - General    8. Psychology    9. Psychology & Psychiatry Profession - General    10. Reference    11. methods    12. Medical / Psychiatry    13. Psychiatry   

Reviews (13)

The Whole Enchilada
Dr. Bockian leaves nothing out of this very useful aid to BPD. Starting with a penetrating description of BPD, the book then provides information on diagnosis, various therapies and treatments and how and where to find help. It offers plenty of information which can bring hope and understanding for people who must deal with BPD.

Very concise...wonderful!
I have read other books on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but I think that this is the best one yet!
Important Information
As I was searching for a book on BPD, I found it astonishingly difficult to understand the books nature without actually buying it and reading it, which makes the whole "searching and inquiring previously to purchase" almost impossible.
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Subjects:  1. Borderline personality disorde    2. Borderline personality disorder    3. Diseases - General    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Mental Illness    8. Mood Disorders    9. Popular works    10. Psychology    11. Diseases & disorders    12. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (1)

great
Very useful book, well documented and user friendly.Good for those in that wonderful niche. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Cognitive therapy    3. Criminal Psychology    4. Forensic Psychology    5. Mental Illness    6. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    7. Psychology    8. Rehabilitation    9. Rehabilitation Therapy    10. Sex offenders    11. Sociology    12. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Forensic Psychology    14. Psychotherapy    15. Rehabilitation of offenders    16. Sexual abuse   

Reviews (28)

I am not sik I don't need help
This is one of the best, most helpful books I have read.

EXTRAORDINARY,EXCELLENT, INFORMATIVE BOOK
HAVING TO GO THRU MY MOTHERS SCHIZOPHRENIA AS A YOUNG CHILD AND NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME AND MY BROTHER AND SISTERS, FEELING ALL THE HURT AND EXPERIENCING HOW THIS ILLNESS OVERTAKES THE WHOLE FAMILY. A SECOND TIME TO GO THRU IT ALL OVER AGAIN WITH MY FATHER IT IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE, BUT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED, I'M AN ADULT NOW AND I LOOK FOR HELP AND WAYS TO HELP HIM, THINGS WE COULDN'T DO WITH MY MOTHER. I FOUND THIS BOOK ON THE INTERNET AND BOUGHT IT. I READ IT IN FOUR DAYS AND ALREADY PUT IT TO USE. THIS BOOK IS MY PRIZE POCESSION RIGHT NOW. EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK REMINDS ME THE EXPERIENCES I HAD WITH MY MOTHER AND DIDN'T HAVE A BOOK LIKE THIS TO HELP HER. MY MOTHER IS FAR GONE BUT MY FATHER IS JUST STARTING WITH THE ILLNESS. I HAVE PUT TO USE SOME OF THE THINGS DR. AMADOR AND HIS RESEARCHERS STATED IN THE BOOK AND IT IS WORKING. GOD BLESS DR. AMADOR FOR THIS BOOK AND THANK YOU FOR WRITTING IT IN SPANISH ALSO. I WILL MAKE SURE I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE GOING THRU THE SAME THINGS WE ARE GOING THRU. A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR DEPRESSION AND ANY MENTAL ILLNESS.

I am not Sick I don' t Need you Help
Very excellent book to understand the thoughts of someone with a mental illness. A must read to improve your life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness    2. Psychology   

Reviews (1)

Excellent !!
None of the other books listed by Amazon sounded like they dealt with health anxiety, so I tried this one. It is EXCELLENT!!! It is very thorough and simple to understand. It has wonderful tips to use as well as suggestions on how to work with doctors and when to get additional help. Not much is written for the regular person on health anxiety, so this is a very valuable resource. Health anxiety is a form of anxiety in which the person worries excessively about his health and bodily sensations. Going to the doctor repeatedly for assurance does not help because you can get addicted to the reassurance! By the time you get home from the doctor after he tells you that you are fine, you have convinced yourself that he must have made some type of error or omission of tests, and you are super worried all over again! This book uses cognitive behavior therapy to help break the cycle of worry and fear over symptoms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior    2. Compulsive behavior    3. General    4. Health    5. Mental Illness    6. Miscellanea    7. Mood Disorders    8. Psychological aspects    9. Psychology    10. Psychology (General)    11. Self-Help    12. Stress Management    13. Personal & public health    14. Self-Help / Mood Disorders   

Reviews (13)

Fascinating case study and book
Thirty years ago I remember this case being discussed in my physiological psychology class, a field in which I eventually went on to grad school, and I still remember the case of "S" to this day. Luria's little book became an instant classic in the neurological and memory literature and has probably never been surpassed as a case study of a uniquely retentive and creative memory talent. Recently, I came across a review of the book on the Literature, Arts, and Medicine database, and I thought it was such a nice little summary of the book that I wanted to include it here, since it's not that long, along with a few of my comments.
Very Interesting
This is a very interesting book.I was very interested in the synesthesia aspect, where one smells a sound and tastes a color, and so on.I thought maybe I could develop a little insight into improving my own mental abilites regarding memory and memory devices.It is quite fascinating to read about his experiences, especially how the vivid, multisensory images he experienced confused the actual content of what he was experiencing.I would actually have enjoyed much more firsthand accounts of his unusual experiences.I got it for 4 bucks at a used book store, i wouldn't pay more for it, the list price looks too expensive.

Fascinating and Dull at the Same Time
If you're looking for a good overall introduction to synesthesia, this isn't it. (For this, see Richard Cytowic's book entitled, Synesthesia.) On the other hand, if you're looking for a first-hand account of a famous psychologist's interaction with a synesthete, then you're in good shape with Luria's book.In the first half of The Mind of a Mnemonist, Luria describes how he first learned about "S", a young Russian news reporter with an amazing memory.He then describes in a fair amount of detail, often using S's own descriptions, how S experienced the world.He also gives a rather detailed account (again, often reproducing S's own testimony) of both how S went about memorizing and recalling so many items of data, and where the boundaries of S's memorizing abilities were (e.g., S had a hard time recounting the gist of a story he'd heard read aloud).Because of this, the first half of the book can at times be dull and repetitive.
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. General    3. Medical    4. Memory    5. Memory disorders    6. Mental Illness    7. Psychiatry - General    8. Psychology    9. Science    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (40)

So-So
This book as some good points and the program it discusses may be very successful.My main problem with this book and most others on SI is it's emphasis on SI stemming from childhood abuse or trauma.I self-injured for nearly 4 years as a teen and have never been abused in any way.According to this book if I wasn't overtly abused, I was biologically frail and sensitive to less obvious abuse or trauma.That is just insulting.I am now a counselor myself and I can assure you, I was never abused.While many individuals who self-injure may have been abused I think it is time to acknowledge those who self-injure and weren't abused instead of simply dismissing their experiences.

Informative and insightful read
this is a thought-provoking book about self-injury and healing. the book is well-written and very descriptive. many narratives are used in the text, and this helps to create a greater understanding of individual experiences and struggles. this is important because each of us experiences things in our own way. that perception then becomes reality for us. once that happens, we find ways to deal with the emotional intensity that this can create. for many, the coping mechanism of choice is self-injury. self-injury is very difficult for many people to understand--even those who self-mutilate often come to treatment without a real understanding of why they harm themselves. once you understand the chain of events, you can start to better understand the compulsive nature of this behavior, the way in which the self-injurer sees self-harm as the only alternative, the only way to obtain some relief from the present experience. one caveat--i disagree with the authors' depiction of self-mutilation as NOT a manifestation of addiction. in my work with patients who self-injure, it has become very clear to me that this behavior feels very compulsive and can become habitual. also, in line with the AA model of treating addiction, patients most often do better when they recognize the power that self-injury has over them and start to explore the origins of their psychological pain in an attempt to stop expressing this pain through self-harm. information on the SAFE Alternatives program is also very helpful. statistics regarding success and healing are very encouraging, and these authors clearly have a good thing going. another excellent read is marilee strong's book *a bright red scream: self-mutilation and the language of pain.*

helpful to school counselors
This book is a must have to school counselors, especially those who work with middle school girls.Most counselor who don't have the information may feel at a loss for how to be helpful without over reacting.The book provides insight and how to be helpful to the student that is in crisis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mental Illness    3. Psychology    4. Self-mutilation    5. Coping with personal problems    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Compulsive Behavior    7. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mental Illness    3. Psychology    4. Psychology, Pathological    5. Abnormal psychology    6. Psychiatry    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Case formulation    2. Clinical Psychology    3. Differential therapeutics    4. Medical    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychiatry    7. Psychiatry - General    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    10. Philosophy & theory of psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    12. Social work   

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autism in children    3. Autistic children    4. Clinical Psychology    5. Developmental - Child    6. Developmental Pediatrics    7. Developmental disabilities    8. Developmentally disabled child    9. Mental Illness    10. Pediatrics    11. Psychology    12. Psychopathology - Abnormal    13. Psychopathology - Autism    14. Services for    15. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology   

Reviews (3)

Incredible connection of BMS
As an integrative therapist, I see these connections all the time.The chakra/thought/physical/emotional connections in what we hold and what then holds us.This book is a wonderful read, easy and engrossing with great information about the authors' own experience.I thoroughly recommend it to my students and to those interested in learning more about how the bodymind connection works in order to look deeper at who they are and are becoming.

A highly recommended book!Fascinating!
If you ever wonder what kind of body type you have and what baggage comes with that profile, go grab this book up! It explains the thoughts that create some of the most common ailments that modern people walk around withnow. If you wonder about what causes you to have a broad chest and skinnylegs, this is the book for you. If you have any part in the healing artfield, this book is essential for your library. Enjoy it, be surelysatisfied and fascinated all in one sitting.

A classic!
I purchased the mass-market edition of this book about 20 years ago (it is copyrighted 1977), but I never got around to reading it. I did start in on it and I always remembered the story that he starts the book with. The author (a psychologist and gerontologist)is standing naked before a groupof people in some type of encounter session and after having him walkaround a bit, a Dr. John Pierrakos proceeds to tell him all kinds of thingsabout himself that Pierrakos should not have been able to know. He was ableto read all kinds of things about a person just by observing the patternsof tension in their body. More recently I picked up a new copy and read thewhole book. I have read a lot on the subjects of yoga, meditation,bodywork, physical fitness, psychology, etc. and this is one of the mostinteresting books I have come across. The main point is that our minds andbodies can't really be separated. Our bodies can store tension. This can becaused by physical, emotional, mental or spiritual factors and usually oncethe tension goes in it doesn't come out (and can cause all kinds ofphysical problems). This is something I know a lot about, as I have spentdecades working to understand and release my own deep physical tension.Currently I have been practicing yoga (ashtanga yoga) and this is the bestthing I have found yet. There are many other approaches. But I find thatvery few people who should understand physical tension (yoga teachers, doctors, bodyworkers, even some Rolfers) really do understand thesubject.And I have never found this subject to be explained clearlyanywhere - except in this book. The chapters are organized around thesections of the body and are full of stories and examples from the author'sexperiences in working on himself and working with others. He integratesideas from Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, Fritz Perls, Wilhelm Reich and manyother pioneers. After reading the book, I was at first sad that the authorhas not continued to write on this topic, but then I realized that he hasalready written the definitive book on the subject. And although it coversa lot of deep territory the book is very easy to read. Definitely aclassic. Most highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. General    3. Mental Illness    4. Mind and body    5. Physiological Psychology    6. Psychology    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Personal & public health    9. Philosophy / Mind & Body   

Reviews (1)

See to Learn, See to Work, See to Play
Seeing Through New Eyes is an introduction to the treatment of visual conditions that go beyond 20/20 eyesight. Developmental or behavioral vision care can have a significant impact on behavioral, social and learning problems associated with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Poor eye contact and other behaviors are often the result of difficulty with "ambient vision" that drives spatial awareness, visual organization and balance/coordination. Dr. Kaplan gives guidance on how to identify the visual deficits of nonverbal children, select performance lenses that will alter ambient vision and how to create individual vision management programs in order to assist each individual in achieving maximum success in life. This book is essential reading for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and professionals in the fields of autism, optometry, ophthalmology, psychology and education. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autism    3. Autism in children    4. Education    5. Mental Illness    6. Ophthalmology    7. Psychology    8. Special Education - Socially Handicapped    9. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    10. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (54)

Lost ,Then Found
The beautiful writing style makes Lost in the Mirror rewarding reading. Learning of the probability of the woman I love being borderline BPD, I undertook learning as much as I could about the disorder.
Not recommended for those with BPD--
I bought several books on BPD after realizing that someone close to me has symptoms that match those associated with BPD.
Lost in the Mirror
This book takes a psychological and behavioral approach to understanding borderline personality disorder. Even if you have read "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me", you'll need to read this book to understand what the best treatment modalities available today. Of course, it was out of date the minute it was put on paper, as all books are, but it is the best that I have found to understand the causes and underlying compulsions that frustrate those who suffer from BPD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Borderline personality disorde    2. Borderline personality disorder    3. General    4. Mental Illness    5. Personality    6. Popular works    7. Psychology   

Reviews (2)

great service
Got the book within 4 days and in excellant condition. A pleasure to do business with.

Great book for introductory mental health nursing
We used this in my psych/mental health theory class.I really liked this book.It's written on a level that was easy enough to follow but still gave me a strong base to draw from in clinical.Also, because it had little vignettes throughout each chapter, I found that it didn't bore me to death like nursing textbooks often do.I also like how It included great info on both older meds (i.e. the ones that they will still be testing on for NCLEX) as well as newer meds that I actually saw on the floor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Mental Disorders    4. Mental Illness    5. Nursing - Mental Health    6. Nursing - Psychiatric    7. Psychiatric Nursing    8. nursing   

Reviews (13)

There Goes the Boat
This guy completely missed it.He attempted to relate/equate self-mutilation to/with many unrelated cultural practices.If you are looking for a book about self-mutilation that has any insight about this multifaceted and deeply emotionally complex concept, this is not it.I read it when it first came out.The author was a doctor at UMC where I earned three degrees, including a Master's in Counseling Psychology.I met with this man, a dangerous cutter myself at the time, and his presentation was as judgemental, cold and clueless as his book.What a sad disappointment when simple hope was needed.

Very comprehensive book (essential for those who self-injure)
I've been cutting myself for many years, and have read books on the subject for a number of those years. This is by far one of the best I've read for Favazza does an extremely deep study into the history of self-injury, both cultural forms and what he terms "deviant" forms. While not as entertaining as "A Bright Red Scream," and definately more scholarly than most books on the subject, I still consider it essential for those who cut or the loved ones of those who cut. However, it isn't so much a personal or supportive book, and will mostly trigger more cutters than it will help. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five though is because of some of the misconceptions that even the author shows, such as relating self-injury to body piercing and such (which he has already gotten some heat about already.) I also don't like the terms "mentally ill," "wrist slashers," " slicers," etc. as words for those who cut. I also found the first few pages of chapter 11 very hard to read for similar reasons.

Armando has lost his mind
I've met this guy a few times. Cat is stuck on him self. Maybe if he would take time to understand people instead of worrying about himself he would get it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cultural psychiatry    2. Mental Illness    3. Psychiatry - General    4. Psychiatry, Transcultural    5. Psychology    6. Self-mutilation    7. Clinical psychology    8. Cultural studies    9. Nature / General    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Editorial Review

Like Kurt Cobain, Nick Traina lived for punk rock (his bands made two CDs, Read more

Reviews (186)

A Mother's Heartache
As a Danielle Steel fan since the dawn of her writing career, I've often wondered how she captures emotional anguish so vividly.In researching manic-depression while writing LOVING LARRY, I found the answer apparent in HIS BRIGHT LIGHT.From the heart of a mother she lovingly introduces her children, shares her personal history and bares her soul in this painful account of her son's struggle with manic-depressive illness and its effect on her family.The poignant portrayals she creates in fiction come--at least in part--from heartbreaking first-hand experience.

Steel's best work to date
Widely known for her romantic novels in far off places, Danielle Steel managed to create a career that likely exceeded her wildest dreams. Yet beneath the veneer of gentile refinement, the famous author struggled to help her son Nick Traina, a young man who was taken from Earth before his time. Lucky for him, and for us, Steel didn't let his passing go without triumph for those like him.
His Bright Light Can Save Lives
Danielle Steel wrote this book with a purpose greater than many may realize. As a pure and loving tribute to her son Nick's life and as a direly needed awareness among people about how BPD (Bipolar Disorder, or manic depression) is a disease that kills people, because they do not have proper medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Depression    6. Family relationships    7. General    8. Manic-depressive persons    9. Mental Illness    10. Parental Memoirs    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Suicide    13. United States    14. Women authors, American    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (27)

A must buy for someone who dislike's their Homosexuality
Im 27 years old and a patient in therapy for almost 1 year now. I found this book useful and encouraging because it supports my thoughts that ( I never accepted nor will i accept being Gay).
This book should be burned
The people who write this sort of gay-bashing stuff under the guise of clinical therapy should lose thier credentials.This is damaging.Go buy last season's DVD of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and tell your mom you'll be her fashion consultant forever.Don't buy this book.

Reparative Therapy is harmful, I've been there
I was heavily involved in reparative therapy for many years.I was their perfect candidate (virgin, "straight-acting", etc).No one wanted to change more than me, and no one worked harder than me.
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Subjects:  1. Fathers and sons    2. Gay Studies    3. Gay men    4. Gender identity disorders    5. Homosexuality    6. Homosexuality, Male    7. Mental Illness    8. Mental health    9. Psychology    10. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    11. Psychotherapy    12. Psychotherapy - General    13. Sociology    14. Gay studies (Gay men)    15. Social Science / Gay Studies   

Reviews (5)

It will just induce more depression
Overall proably one of the worst books ive ever read in my entire life. No wonder why so many people suffer from Depression. This is half the battle. Terrible advice (such as eating chocalate and being happy). I respect the fact that it does break some stuff down, but it again doesnt answer many vital questions that a depressed person would like to know.
Pass on this one
This book was written to sell books, not to help people.If it were possible to end depression by intellectualizing it, this might help.

Very Helpful
I've read several books on depression and I must say that Depression For Dummies is far more practical and easy to read than the others. The exercises are truly useful and applicable to everyday life. I especially liked the section on relapse prevention. I hadn't known that relapse is such a high risk and it seems odd that other books I've seen on self-help for depression barely bring the subject up. If you want serious help with moods and depression I can't think of a better book to recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression    2. Mental Depression    3. Mental Illness    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Coping with personal problems    7. Popular medicine    8. Self-Help / Depression