Change Your Brain Change Your Life by Daniel Amen emphasizes incorporating the physiological component for treating psychological issues.  He points out, “Psychiatrists then and even now are the only medical specialists who virtually never look at the organ they treat” (p. 12).  Amen advocates the use of SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging.  Although SPECT imaging may be controversial, Amen advocates a holistic approach in its treatment:

Biological:  how your physical body functions
Psychological: developmental issues and how you think
Social: social support and your current life situation
Spiritual: your sense of meaning and purpose

Brain imaging is used as a tool to assist in diagnosing and treating behavioral problems. He examines five sections of the brain in conjunction with case studies to illustrate possible problems.  The overall approach is encapsulated in the following principles

Principle 1: Your brain is involved in everything you do and everything you are.

Principle # 2: When your brain works right, you work right. But when your brain is troubled, you are much more likely to have trouble in your life.

Principle #3: Your brain is the most amazing, energy-hungry organ in the universe.

Principle #4: Your brain is the consistency of soft butter and housed in a really hard skull with multiple sharp bony ridges, making it easily injured.

Principle #5: Many things hurt the brain.

Principle #6: Many things help the brain.

Principle #7: Certain systems in the brain are designed to do specific things, and problems in these systems tend to cause symptoms that can benefit from specific treatments.

Principle #8: Looking at the brain gives many powerful insights not possible through listening to symptoms alone.

Principle #9: Psychiatric illnesses are not single or simple disorders in the brain. Each one has multiple types that require unique treatments. One treatment will never work for everyone.

Principle #10: Brain aging is optional. Work to boost your brain’s reserve.

Principle #11: You can change your brain and change your life.

Principle #12: Get it. Give it away. Keep it forever. Change the world.

This book is filled with practical advice ranging from nutrition to principles for helping one with right thinking.  He describes ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and how to overcome them.  One does not need to undergo SPECT imaging to benefit from the practical advice in this book.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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