Although technology and social media have greatly impacted the way we communicate, the ability to read is still essential to functioning in our society. Many people struggle to read efficiently due to physical or physiological challenges. If you find yourself experiencing fatigue, irritability, or developing headaches or eye strain while reading, you may have Irlen…
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe and complex brain disorder causing shifts between manic and depressive phases, requiring bipolar disorder treatment. The patient may feel out of control of their lives and unable to participate in daily activities. Episodes of bipolar disorder can lead to dramatic changes in the person’s life, such as a lost…
With its diversity of dynamics, rhythms and styles, music truly is the universal language. But did you know that some forms of music are better for the brain than others? There’s an old computer science term GIGO, which stands for “garbage in, garbage out.” Just like watching violent movies or playing gory video games can…
Imagine sitting in a room at home with goggles and headphones on. Strobe lights flicker through the goggles and pulses come through the headphones, both designed to stimulate your mind. Our minds think in states of brain- wave frequency, and changes in frequencies are based on brain activity. When we stimulate the brain audiovisually with…
There is a Chinese saying that goes: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing:…
One of the strategies we commonly use at Amen Clinics is to change our patients’ diets. We help them eat foods that nourish their brains and bodies— such as colorful vegetables and fruits as well as healthy proteins and fats—and eliminate, at least temporarily, all of the potential troublemaker foods that could be causing negative…
Many famous performers have experienced worldwide fame, which releases massive amounts of dopamine, stimulating their pleasure centers over and over as strangers recognize them everywhere they go, often begging for autographs or screaming their names. Repeated, intense activation of the pleasure centers wears them out, much like a cocaine high that lessens with frequent use…
Going through emotional trauma or grief can leave a lasting imprint on the brain. In order to properly heal it, it is critical to get the right diagnosis. It is critically important because the symptoms of PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often overlap (anxiety, depression, irritability, headaches, and insomnia), but the treatments are very…
Relationships are crucial to having a healthy and caring life with those who you value. In Daniel G. Amen, MD’s new book, “Feel Better Fast and Make It Last“, these techniques come from research in the field of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Enhancing interpersonal skill has proven effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and in…
Virtually all of us have felt anxious, depressed, traumatized, grief-stricken, or hopeless at some point in life. It’s perfectly normal to go through hard times or experience periods when we feel panicked or out of sorts, whether we have a diagnosable condition or not. How we respond to these challenges makes all the difference in…