Customer Reviews

Deadly Emotions: Understand the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection That Can Heal or Destroy You

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I read Dr. Colbert's book with more uncertainty than I expected and with some apprehension. I am skeptical of "self help" books and most seem to be good for one person-the author. However, the more I read his book the more I liked it. It goes without saying that reading a vitriolic "review," that reflects more of an opinion of the author and of Christianity than it does an evaluation of a book, shows that it doesn't take much for stress to influence a person and substantiates what Dr. Colbert offers for our consideration.

Stress and the emotions that cause stress are indeed at the root of many, if not most, of our diseases. It is a fact that nearly 90% of diseases that afflict humans are self-induced. It is amazing, given what we do to ourselves and how we treat our bodies, that we survive as long as we do. One doesn't have to be a Christian to understand the impact stress has. The Church of Scientology has available for any of us a self-administered test to evaluate the emotional state of anyone. There are workbooks, videos, self-help programs, and even medical devices to lower blood pressure increased due to stress. We have The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder created by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989. Numerous programs are designed to help us manage stress, anger, depression, anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, resentment and bitterness. The diseases that are induced or influenced by our emotions are many. The psychological and emotional pressures affecting us are common to all of us. It is when these pressures overwhelm our coping measures that they adversely affect us physically. Still, we as a population are willing to drug ourselves with anything a physician is willing to prescribe. One would have to live in a vacuum not to hear about "anti-cortisol" drugs for weight loss. Why not avoid excess cortisol instead and thereby avoid its chronic affects-bone loss, sodium retention, blood pressure increases, impaired glucose utilization along with weight gain and diabetes-eliminating the cause of its increase rather than treat the symptom? Intuitively, not taking a drug seems more appealing, if one can eliminate the cause of the cause of the problem itself.

For a reader who is not familiar or doesn't know the science that Dr. Colbert outlines, I will say that he is correct and absolutely accurate in his explanations. I have taught biochemistry and physiology and everything he says about the changes that occur in us due to stress is on target. There is a link, albeit not well understood yet, between our emotional health and our physical health. In my research of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, SLE, ankylosing spondylitis, atherosclerotic heart disease, blood pressure, migraine headaches, ulcers and infectious diseases, I have witnessed many, many times a worsening of the disease or the start of the medical problem when emotions were uncontrolled. I personally know of one patient whose psoriasis disappeared within one week after he retired; the stress of his job was gone and so was his disease. His case is not an isolated one by any means. Further we have to consider common diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity. Don't be surprised if unhealthy emotions are more implicated in these two diseases as we learn more. Remember in human history there are abundant examples of scientists and other visionaries with new ideas being ignored, ostracized, mocked and rebuked for their ideas. Sir Alexander Fleming, who introduced penicillin, wasn't met with open arms. Galileo was punished by the Church when he suggested that the earth revolved around the sun and not conversely. The physician who first suggested that a bacterium (Helicobacter pylori) was implicated in ulcers was laughed at just ten years ago.

Why are we willing to rewire our brains with Prozac, tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics and sundry other drugs and we are not willing to take control of ourselves? This book will tell you how to take control and it delivers this prescription very nicely and in most understandable terms. The book will cost you much less than a prescription for Prozac or an hour with a therapist. Whether or not you are a Christian doesn't diminish the benefit you will enjoy by reading this book. If you are a Christian, you will understand Dr. Colbert's approach. If you are not a Christian, filter your reading with an open mind. Trust the science and apply what Dr. Colbert suggests. You don't have to be a Christian to see the relevance of Dr. Colbert's principles. The thesis presented in this book applies regardless of your core beliefs. If you don't believe in the Law of Gravity and jump off a building, you will fall just like someone who does believe in the law. Read the book carefully; I guarantee that you will be very pleasantly surprised with the results.

I ordered this book with the idea that I may use some tid bits of information for a training I will be conducting over the coming months. As I started reading I began to recognize my own toxic behavior as well as that of others around me. By using these principles healing has already begun in my life.

This is an easy to read book that speaks plainly, simply, and directly regarding how the emotions and physical responses when running unchecked make you sick and dysfuctional. It is also very good about pointing out realistic answers.

Even though he references scriptures in his writings it is in no way preachy or overbearing. If you are a practicing Christian, non practicing, or another faith entirely you can read this book, not feel preached to, and benefit by it.

I have always considered myself a healthy person. I watch what I eat and I exercise daily. I also consider myself a pretty stressed individual. Between taking classes at the university I attend, heavy loads of homework and holding a job on top of that, things can get rather hectic. Then of course there is the stress of landing that perfect career opportunity when I graduate. But I thought all of this was normal and simply dealt with it for three years, until I read Deadly Emotions. In his book, author Don Colbert, M.D. discusses the vital link between emotional well-being and physical well-being. Most Americans do not realize that scientific evidence has proven that stress can contribute to heart disease, migraines, asthma, pneumonia and many other physical problems. Stress can even be deadly. Reading through this book literally stopped me in my tracks. But, Deadly Emotions offers solutions to the problems facing us. Dr. Colbert battles anxiety, tension and stress with powerful concepts of forgiveness, joy and peace. Deadly Emotions has the ability to save Americans from the suffering induced by stress, good news for mind and body.

Dr. Colbert is right on target with the principles illustrated in this book. Self-help gurus have been teaching these principles for years. Colbert goes one step "further" by suggesting that the changes will not be made by us, but through our dependence on, and partnership with a higher power.

Don't be fooled though! This is NOT just a book for Christians. The principles work if given time - This is the difference between this and other books. Most self-help books usually offer the promise of instantaneous changes, but "Deadly Emotions" is more of a mental exercise program, which takes some time.

Keep the book - it is not a "read through once" and resell. Why? because we have been thinking the same way for X years that we have been walking around. Even if you conquer all the problems presented here, they can come back if we're not careful.

Finally, beware the "Haters" on Amazon - someone, somewhere thinks that Hitler was a great man, Gandhi was secretly a violent man, and that the earth is flat.

The particular one within these reviews (you can pick it out easily) was written by a person that obviously never touched the book. Check out her other reviews and you will see a trend - she is just using reviews to make a political/religious statement.

A non-Christian would enjoy this book, even if they didn't "buy" all of it. It is too bad, because this book would really help that woman...

For me this book was life changing. It explained finally some of the things that have happened to me physically in a way that was very understandable and credible. I am making a concerted effort to reduce the anger and stress in my life. This book made me more aware of the consequences of that kind of lifestyle. Highly recommended especially for anyone who has one of the autoimmune diseases. You can improve your life!

this book was very helpful and thought provoking. many times in our life we will simply go to the doctor with what ever ails us and we fail to see that there is also a spiritual part to us as well,our mind,will,& emotions. dr. colbert reviews various people with different health problems and sees a common factor in all of them-strong pain and anger or unforgiveness and it did seem to contribute to their present conditions.by the way, i am a christian (definetly not a hateful one either i may add :) and the bible itself always addresses the condition of our hearts first and foremost so we will let go of the bondage ( anger jealousy,unforgiveness,bitterness,rage ) it is always part of our total healing that God wants us to receive. i believe dr. colbert communicates this truth very effectively.

The mind-body-spirit connection to our health is real for anyone who is willing to honestly look at both the scientific and empirical evidence. Colbert gives a good overview of the topic and provides a basis for further investigation of this important subject. Although Dr. Colbert has a clear Christian perspective, he doesn't provide pat religious answers, but provides a variety of solutions including spiritual ones. This is a must read for anyone who beginning to explore this topic.
One major error in the book, however, is the Key to Scoring the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale on p. 229. which contains the wrong rating numbers. This needs to be corrected in future editions.

In January, 2007, my 56 year old husband, a fit and active man, had a sudden and severe heart attack. He had no risk factors, except stress. This book shows the mind and body connection and explains how stress is directly related to certain diseases. It is easy to read and understand and full of helpful, useful information. I urge everyone to read it. It may save your life, or the life of someone you love.

This book helped me realize what my emotions were actually doing to my health and well-being.

Good to see mainstream Christianity starting to understand the mind - body - spirit connection. Ungodly thinking will make you sick. If you've enjoyed this book, take it a step futher and check out "A More Excellent Way" by Henry Wright and "Blessings and Curses" by Derek Prince. The good news is that God is still in the healing business and you can get healed!!!