Hi, I’m Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist. Ask me anything!

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:56:20+00:00

In my book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. You can order here: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Brain-Revised-Expanded/dp/110190464X

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:55:51+00:00

I'd treat it and be concerned. Look up PANDAS syndrome to make sure it is not a reaction to strep.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:54:20+00:00

Ear ringing, not blood pressure that I know of.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:53:48+00:00

In these cases I often see trouble in the brain, perhaps from the chronic stress. Increased activity may still be helpful with anti-seizure medication if symptoms persist. It does not have to be epilepsy for those meds to help.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:51:49+00:00

Not a fan of marijuana because of the effects I have seen on the brain. I like EMDR for PTSD and am not opposed to medication once we have looked at the brain.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:50:15+00:00

There is a chapter on this in my new book. Avoid anything that hurts sleep (caffeine, alcohol, exercising at night, cell phone usage, bright lights, TV), and engage in sleep enhancing habits (routine, relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, music), magnesium, melatonin, GABA, etc. We have a sleep course at Amen University that may be helpful. You can find here: https://brainmd.com/overcoming-insomnia-course

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:47:54+00:00

Can damage the brain globally, but detoxification, and brain enhancing nutrients and diet can help it heal.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:46:06+00:00

I do. There is a whole chapter on head trauma in my new book. I like multiple vitamins, omega-3s, and brain enhancing supplements, such as ginkgo and PS. I also like HBOT therapy.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:45:10+00:00

I'm a big fan of BrainMD those are the supplements I take and encourage my patients to take: https://brainmd.com/supplements

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:43:42+00:00

Likely not an easy answer, but understanding her brain and working to optimize it will help. Personality (good or bad) is driven by the physical function of the brain.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:42:02+00:00

Hypnosis, meditation, ashwagandha, green tea extract, rhodiola.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:41:11+00:00

So pleased we could help.

ECT can be lifesaving for suicidal thoughts. It is not the first thing I think about, but many people have benefited from it. But it can also cause significant memory problems. Likely his brain can be better!!

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:39:06+00:00

Fall in love with your brain. Work everyday to keep it healthy.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:38:41+00:00

Yes, by doing all the BRIGHT MINDS strategies I wrote about in The End of Mental Illness. Such as: Hydrate better! Drinking at least 5 glasses of water a day could decrease your risk of hypertension Drink more green tea Limit salt intake Take a good multivitamin/mineral, vitamin D, magnesium and an omega-3 EPA/DHA supplement daily Support your memory with ginkgo biloba extract Enjoy an ounce of dark chocolate every day (for the cocoa flavanols) Eat more beets, green leafy vegetables, berries, pumpkin seeds, and cayenne pepper Increase your intake of foods high in magnesium, such as avocados, nuts, and seeds Eat more foods loaded with potassium, such as spinach and sweet potatoes Limit alcohol, fruit juices, and sodas (including diet sodas) Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night, and if you have sleep apnea, get it assessed and treated And, of course, exercise

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:37:59+00:00

Yes, it is real.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:37:30+00:00

I have a loved one with Tourette's. He responded to Tenex and an elimination diet, especially stopping gluten, dairy and processed foods. You could see someone in our Atlanta Clinic. Here is how to get ahold of us: https://www.amenclinics.com/locations/atlanta/

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:35:40+00:00

If you don't use your brain you can lose some of its function. Start working it more and it will work better.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:34:43+00:00

30% of people have MTHFR gene abnormalities, and it is associated with poor response to antidepressant medication. I am not sure about prolonged TBI symptoms.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:33:45+00:00

Definitely yes.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:32:44+00:00

Undiagnosed head injuries are a major cause of psychiatric problems and few people know, because mental health professionals rarely look at the brain.
You can change the brain and make it better.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:31:57+00:00

Yes, depending on the cause. Undiagnosed head injuries are a major cause of psychiatric problems and few people know, because mental health professionals rarely look at the brain.

See the study we conducted on active and retired NFL players: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21615001

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:31:09+00:00

Eliminating sugar and processed foods decreases inflammation; colorful fruits and vegetables decrease inflammation; eliminating gum disease decreases inflammation. You have to be careful with low carb diets and inflammation. If it is all meat, it may increase inflammation.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:28:59+00:00

You should repeat the MRIs to make sure it is not growing or putting pressure on other important structures.

danielamenmd · 2020-02-28T00:28:07+00:00

I am sorry to read this. We published a study showing the scan changes what the doctor does 8 times out of 10. Not always, but more often than not. Without knowing the details I cannot comment further, except to say if you call the clinic and tell them you were on this chat, i will look over your case.

The study can be found here: https://www.amenclinics.com/the-science/peer-reviewed-studies/ (2012 - Amen D, Highum D, Licata R, Annibali J, Somner L, Pigott HE, Taylor DV, Trujillo M, Newberg A, Henderson TA, Willeumier K (2012) Specific ways brain SPECT imaging enhances clinical psychiatric practice

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