Customer Reviews

The Instinct to Heal: Curing Depression, Anxiety and Stress Without Drugs and Without Talk Therapy

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This paperback appears to contain exactly the same text as the hardbound version of the same book with a very different cover color scheme. (I thought the paperback version might be updated, but it appears not to be.)

The recommendations in this book really intrigued me, although some of them (e.g, EMDR) are likely to be controversial. I did some research on the author and he checks out. His credentials are real. I did some research also into his sources by checking with a physician who has a holistic bent. They check out too. He is drawing on known authorities in the areas of, for example, neurophysiology, and his research is drawn from peer-reviewed journals.

This book does not offer miracle cures but a series of remedies that seem likely to bring improvement in anyone's state of mind:

(1) "cardiac coherence," a sort of relaxation technique (oversimplified description)
(2) acupuncture
(3) EMDR
(4) exercise
(5) fish oil
(6) meditation and
(7) fostering social connections.

"Curing," however, used in the title, is a less skillful choice than the initial use of the word "heal." Anxiety, depression, and stress are chronic, or at least recurrent, states of the modern mind that are more to be acknowledged and managed than totally made to go away (not all stress, for example, is caused by bad things).

I was already using four of these remedies before I read the book. I learned cardiac coherence easily, I'm about to give acupuncture a try now, based on this book...but I'm still on the fence about EMDR.

Dr. Servan-Schreiber has broke new ground in summarizing practical therapeutics for the treatment of the emotional brain. As a health care provider who has had to heal my own brain after two significant head injuries and related traumas I can testify to several of the therapies he recommends, and am interested in trying some of the ones I had not heard as much about. As an acupuncturist the other thing I would add is that these protocols are not just for treating anxiety and depression, but they have relevance for every other chronic disease that is prominent today, the interplay between the emotional brain and all of the things we don't want to get is enormous.

Reading this book, reiterated a regimen I once used to follow. Taking fish oil, (as one of the procedures). Could not believe how effective it was. Here I am on one of the worst days of my menstrual cycle (usually) day 27, smiling, relaxed, and totally happy, without a care in the world. So unusual is that for me. This book has a few other solutions such as excercise and acupuncture, and one of them is bound to work for you as well. Thanks David Servan-Schreiber, for writing this book!

So gratifying to read that science backs up much of what some of us have been doing for many years. Easy read for a sometimes complex subject.

I had IBS and bad sleep for almost two years, and never figured out a way to deal with them, not even had a clue how to control them a bit. Until one day I figured that I might be a person with depression, anxiety (I never believe that I had them before) and stress (of course everyone got this), I bought this book and start to read it.
It's well written but it also sounds a fiction movie to me. But anyway I tried the breath method, the first method mentioned in the book. And it worked amazingly well and it simply cools me down and help me relax. I guess I am just kinda of person that get excited easily regardless of happy or bad things I am dealing with.
In a word, I guess this breathing is the instinct or natual way people should do couple of times everyday, but more and more people seems lost it somehow these days.

This book gives good information on several therapeutic methods that work. The author includes clear explanations as well as case examples. He begins with a good description of current brain science, so the methods he then describes in subsequent chapters relate to the science of the brain. He includes some very simple methods such as exercise, as well as current therapy methods such as EMDR. A very good resource.

Having been aware of a life threatening illness for more than 15 years, comlementary therapies have been healing and empowering. Aware that we find our own path, but that it is enhanced when we are open to hear others, I have been drawn to many teachers and books, taking what resonates with me. I normally don't initiate others; interests, but if they want to know more about me, I share that. In the case of "Instinct to Heal", it is a book I am directing and giving to others, as i do with "Love, Medicine & Miracles". It is not a bookd only for those confrtoning depression.

Mr. Servan-Schreiber provided information regarding alternative treatment for disorders that is not so easy to find out about especially since we are in the age of a "quick fix" with medication management. I would and have recommended this book to others. Cindy Jaime C.A.D.C.

I have been struggling with anxiety for a few years and just recently also started suffering from depression too. My family physician recommended that I read this book. I am always open to any alternatives to medicine, especially when it comes to anxiety. I wouldn't say this book changed my life, but I did walk away with a lot of good information. Some of the things I was already aware of from ready other books like this one, but I like how this author backs it up with scientific research. I thought it was easy to read, yet very informative. You may not agree with all of the methods used in this book, but I bet you will find at least one that will help you deal with depression/anxiety.

The author presents several techniques to reduce or eliminate stress, anxiety, and depression. Thus far I have tried the first technique and believe it to be effective. As an engineer and scientist, I appreciate and respect the fact that the techniques presented in this book have been painstakingly researched, documented, and appear in the references section for readers to follow-up on if desired.

The physiological-psychological-biological theory underlying these techniques has been explained in clear and easy-to-understand language. It is an unfortunate human trait that some people, because it is easily understood, do not respect the scientific validity. Most of the techniques presented in this book are explained in sufficient detail that readers can learn them on their own using this book as a guide. At least one of the techniques presented requires the guidance of a competent therapist well-trained in the technique. The author provides anecdotal evidence for these along with contact information to enable interested readers to locate such a therapist. For some reason, another reviewer seemed to think that this invalidated the science, scholarship and validity of the entire book, but that is flawed logic. Sometimes, you just need to find a competent human to help you.

Like anything else, the degree to which this book will help you will depend upon how much understanding you gain, how open your mind is, and how much effort you are capable or willing to put into it.