"Magnificent Mind at any Age"

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:09 am

I wanted to recommend a book by Daniel Amen MD. A lot of people here are interested in natural supplements and suggestions for treating anxiety and depression. There are good discussions regarding brain chemistry and effects of negative thoughts on brain chemistry. It gives hope here for changing some of our brain chemistry naturally.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:40 am

Thanks Mary, I'll have to check it out. I love anything that has to do with feeling better....and naturally!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:28 am

hi Karmerri
how long have you been doing the program? you mentioned in your profile you were off meds. that's encouraging!! i am only on week one and trying hard to stay motivated to listen to the audios. anxiety provoking to even listen right now . but i'm trying.

crayzikat · Post by **crayzikat** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:26 pm

If you have a Public Television Service station in your area, you can possibly watch the show that Dr. Daniel Amen did by the same name. I have seen the show (it's really good!), but have not read the book yet. He has another book out called, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. It deals with anxiety, depression and other issues. It has a somewhat slow beginning, but it's interesting and offers helpful tips in dealing with negative thinking and such. I haven't gotten through all of the book yet (I'm taking a class with lots of reading homework to it), but have gotten a lot of good information out of it already. This book also had a show on PBS a few months ago.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:51 pm

If you are doing the work (have done the work) on this program, then you already know how much you can change your life by changing what you put in your mind and your body. This is a great book. I also highly recommend one of his others Change your brain, change your life. If you want to understand why it is so important to do the homework on this program, then you should read these books. Great advice, Mary.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:23 am

I also saw this on PBS. Very interesting.
During the anxiety part he described it as this:
ANT's (Automatic Negative Thoughts, when you have these thoughts ask yourself these 4 questions:
1. Is it true?
2. Can you be 100% certain without a doubt that it is true?
3. How would you feel IF you did not have this thought?
4. How would your life be WITHOUT this thought?

Basically his message to try and disregard the thought after answering these questions.

He also listed the following as natural alternatives:

1. Exercise!!!!!!!
2. Good quality fish oil
3. 5 htp

I have personally chosen to use the first 2 in my goals for 2009. Don't know much about the 3rd.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:31 am

MARY & PECOS: you guys are just so brilliant, lol

I just think you're both great gals & quite accurately informative.

I tell ya, you hit the nail on the head! I hadn't read the books you both mentioned (yet, lol). However, the jist of what you're both saying & what those books apparently say, ARE TRUE. I changed: my negative thinking + acting + reacting + dietary intake + excessive & over-indulgent portion control(eating lots of all the wrong foods) + exercising (I do so consistantly) & combined that w/ some serious dosages of SELF LOVE & ACCEPTANCE & I am recovered fr anxiety disorder & depression. Was it easy? Is it easy? No to both questions. However, there is such a positive domino effect on me + my health + mental/emotional well being + my quality of life, having made those changes. I see the impact on me & my life. In other words, I've experienced LITERALLY the benefits of those cumulative changes - so that they aren't just "hogwash" on a page of a book. I do, as anyone else who have recovered can attest to, require daily maintainance(practice/homework) - sure. However, the benefits I do REAP, serve as my motivation & reminder.

I say this often - KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. There is a wealth of information out there (books in stores/library) + informative articles, etc. This information can/will serve as a means for the sufferer to gain the knowledge & subsequent skillset they need to apply changes in their life & FEEL BETTER. I give the same analogy as well: a plumber + dr + nurse + mechanic + therapist + teacher, etc - all don't just wake up 1 day & become these things - no. They needed to be "schooled" in them. They needed to LEARN. Recovery fr anxiety disorder & depression are no different - esp when you take into account that many of us sufferers have spent YRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS w/ these negative behaviors. So long, in fact, that to us & for us - it is/was a way of life for us - an "assumed" one @ that.So, we are all learning a new + better + healthier way of thinking + acting + reacting + living + eating - so in the end & long run, our "quality of life" is better & "we FEEL BETTER".

There is no quick fix to recovery. However, there is a way - all those who are recovered are proof positive of that. The work involved makes the benefits you will reap worth it. So, pick up that Book Mary mentioned & go get the 1 Pecos mentioned as well - it will hurt nothing. You will build a wealth of information that will make your mind/body/soul - stronger.

All the best to all of you,

LENORE