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From the Book: The 'Feeling' Brain
In contrast to the highly evolved prefrontal cortex, the limbic system is an ancient collection of structures located much deeper in the brain (even early mammals one hundred million years ago had limbic systems). The limbic system is the emotional part of the brain and is responsible for things like excitement, fear, anxiety, memory, and desire. It is primarily composed of four regions: the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the cingulate cortex. The hypothalamus controls stress. The amygdala is the key to reducing anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions. The hippocampus is responsible for creating long-term memories, and because its neurons are very sensitive to stress, it often acts as the canary in the coal mine of depression. Lastly, the cingulate cortex controls focus and attention, which is of huge importance in depression, because what you focus on, whether by automatic habit or willful choice, makes a huge difference to your mood.
Vibha T.
Reviewed in India on July 12, 2024
This book is so much fun reading it. A real self help and it is for everyone who wants tips and tricks to manipulate brain in a good sense.
Paolo Padovani
Reviewed in Italy on October 21, 2024
I am not at all into "self-help" books but this is amazing. It's full of small suggestions, which when taken into account, can really make a difference. It changed my life, for the better. It can take some time to do that but it can be done. I think this is the main message of the book
MP
Reviewed in Canada on August 9, 2023
A very interesting look on the mechanisms governing your brain during depression, and some useful strategies to overcome it. As I navigate through a period of major depressive disorder, this book has permitted me to put certain issues into context and also provided several helpful tools to navigate these turbulent times. Alex Korb writes in a style that is neither overly scientific nor excessively dumbed down, and makes the material accessible to anyone.
Ekaterina
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023
Personally, one of the best (if not the best) self-help books out there! My therapist recommended it to me, and it was everything I was hoping for! Provides with a simple explanation how our brains work and gives straitforward steps on getting out of a downward spiral. Highly, highly recommend!
nowallmuffin
Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2023
I've read a lot of books on depression and this is by far the best.
Maria
Reviewed in France on November 21, 2022
Everyone should know about depression as it can happen at any time of life and great to know how to help a loved one going through it. This Book helps understanding how the brain works when suffering with depression and gives many practical advise on how to get out of the downward spiral.The author writes with empathy .
alexandra
Reviewed in Spain on August 21, 2021
Must-read for those who has issues with bad mood, or depressive moods. It really helped me to structure knowledge about ways to make me feel better.
Davis Graham
Reviewed in Canada on June 26, 2020
I found it useful to understand the connections between the frontal lobe and the the emotion regions of the brain. Understanding the delicate balance and how certain lifestyle changes can make a difference in healing the brain. The focus on offering a scientific viewpoint gives more hope. Appreciated that this book gives families an explanation they can understand as they support others
E. Foreman
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2018
I liked this book. I appreciated the science part at the beginning explaining chemical processes in the body, and then the discussion of practical factors that begin an upward spiral. I don't think it is a book that I would need on my shelf over the long term. It is easy reading and the ideas are good though. I read it quickly, made a few notes, and then passed it on to a friend who I thought would also benefit from it.
RJ
Reviewed in Canada on April 23, 2018
This is one of the most informative and practical "self-help" books I have ever read. It helped me enormously to understand the "why" behind depression symptoms like lack of motivation, etc. AND why certain positive actions can also be so helpful, no matter how small. Even something like making one's bed or getting dressed in the morning is an accomplishment- it can help to set an "upward spiral" in motion. This book also really helps a person to not feel bad about their symptoms but to have tools to make small but effective changes that will set them in a positive direction. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how the brain functions in depression - and therefore why it is not possible to just "be happy" or "get over it", and it explains how using knowledge about the brain can also help one to recover and heal. I am very glad that I found this book. It satisfied my intellectual need to understand my experience and my very human need to feel that health was possible and that I could feel joy and a sense of meaning again.
Harry Charalambides
Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2017
Not bad for help with both chronic pain & depression.
G. Hill
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2015
Disclaimer: I'm still only slightly more than halfway through the book as I write this review, but Amazon has been badgering me for a few days...The first half of the book details the different parts of the brain that work together (or against each other) to produce the depressive state and the downward spiral, and it really is a fascinating read. While it covers some pretty complicated topics, it does it in a very light and readable way.The second half of the book is information on practical ways of reversing the downward spiral through small changes.As someone who has been struggling with depression for a long time, albeit without really knowing it, it has certainly helped me. The challenge is (once I've finished reading the book) to keep working at it using the hints given in the book and not slip back into old habits. Or, make sure I engage my prefrontal cortex to consciously monitor and control what the striatum is telling me to do automatically through years of repetition and habit, as the book tells me.
Vikash C.
Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2015
As a person suffering from depression, struggling to find a reason to get up every morning, I found this book to be extremely helpful. In this book, the author outlines the physical processes responsible for depression. His writing is clear, concise, unpretentious and occasionally funny. He presents a diverse array of little "habits" you can do to change your mood, along with an explanation of their mechanisms.It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this book changed my life.
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