I cannot stress the positive impact that Dr. Amen's info has had on our family.

Subject: Brain In The News: Changing Brains Means Changing Lives
From: newsletter@amenclinics.com

'Brain in the News' is a weekly commentary on how brain science relates to the news. The brain is involved in everything we do. Wherever there are human stories the brain is involved. From the impact of war and natural disasters on the brain to drug abuse scandals to courtroom dramas to politics the brain is in the news, and you can read about it here. Changing Brains Means Changing Lives One of the most gratifying parts of our work at the Amen Clinics is hearing the stories of changed lives. We have hundreds of personal testimonies on file, many of them can be viewed by following this link - http://amenclinic.com/ac/testimonials.php. We also recently received an e-mail from a viewer of my PBS Television special - Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. E-mails like this mean so much to all of us associated with the clinics and TV program... 'I used meth daily for 12 yrs & tobacco for 25 yrs. I saw your program, knew I didn’t want that brain and threw all my dope and cigarettes out. I thought it would be hell, but with Omega-3 supplements and the foods suggested in your program, it wasn’t that bad. This was on June 06, 2008 @ 10:18pm. You helped me turn my life around!!! Thank you!!!' Wow! Changing brains means changing lives! I've seen it happen for over 25 years and I still get excited about it. Another thing I'm excited about is the addition of a fine physician to the Amen Clinic staff in Tacoma, Washington, Dr. Vern Cherewatenko. Dr. Cherewatenko is a nationally recognized expert in the field of stress and how it affects the brain and body. A recent study showed a stress-activated molecule may underlie many of the symptoms of some mental illnesses. We control our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions via an important part of the brain: the prefrontal cortex. People with injuries to this part of the brain become impulsive, distractible, and have poor judgment. Major damage to the prefrontal cortex can cause thought disorders and hallucinations. These symptoms are also seen in people with bipolar disorder and with schizophrenia. All of these mental illnesses worsen with stress. This study highlights the need for regular stress management techniques, such as meditation, relaxation, guided imagery and diaphragmatic breathing. Simple techniques can have a real and lasting positive impact on brain health. Dr Cherewatenko and I recently recorded a CD titled 'Effective Tools for Calming Stress'. On this audio program we discuss the effects of stress on the body, mind and spirit. Stress hurts our bodies, including our brains, and managing it seems more difficult than ever. We give practical and proven tools to help calm stress and live happier, more peaceful lives ... you can find it at our online store, www.mindworkspress.com. To your brain health, Daniel Daniel Amen, M.D. CEO, Amen Clinics, Inc. Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association Dr. Amen's Blog - Recent Articles Love Hormone Helps Overcome Shyness Pot Damages the Brain Light Therapy Helps Dementia Exercise to Keep Your Brain ADD At Work

Sunday June 22

Yesterday I watched the You Tube presentation of Jill Bolte Taylor, who wrote My Stroke of Insight. So very, very interesting. She is a neuroscientist (mentioned on my blog earlier) that had a stroke at age 38. She describes the function of the human brain and how and why we are how we are. An absolute must see for anyone trying to understand anything, very uplifting too. Only about 20 minutes long, so very worthwhile.

Response from a very dear friend. . . .

Dear J. Margaret, Read your story.  I knew parts of it but not all of it. 
You know me, a friend who enjoyed sharing trips to the local fabric store and
helping each other with sewing projects years ago.  The only part of your story
I did not like was when you said you need to forgive yourself for the enabling
you did out of pure love for your son Tim. I believe the bond between a
mother and child is something so strong and the love so unconditional that nothing
a Mom does in effort to help need be forgiven. Your friend, N

One day at a time. . .

I cannot express in words how much the Alanon book, One Day at a Time has helped me stay centered and in the moment. I highly recommend it to anyone with children, a spouse, family or friends that have an addiction (any kind, drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.).

We did not cause it, we cannot control it, we cannot cure it-but we do contribute to it in many ways without realizing it. Once I stopped contributing, things started getting much better. Things are soooooo much better and healthier for all involved here than they were just 1 year ago. Do not give up, there is always hope.

Response from a friend of a friend. . .

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "MAKING BLANKETS by J. Margaret (names have ...":

I read your story and it is me to a T. I am going through and have been going through this for the last 5 years with my son. He has been to Jail, treatment centers, bail, etc. He is facing a possiblility of very serious prison time with an upcoming trial. The usual story, wrong place, wrong time, yada yada, yada. I am out financialy ($250K), mentally, physically and emotionally beat down, but the outside looks perfect. Who am I really fooling...... I finally am seeking help for myself, but still continue to help my son and will until the trial is over in the next year. I have limited what I do and know I am enabling him, but afraid to completely let go. I WILL though whatever the outcome for him, not enable him in the future after the trial. Until them, I turn to my freinds, therapists and family for help. I feel for you and really am taking your words to heart.
Thank you for sharing.

Earthquake in Japan

There was a 7.2 earthquake in Japan. Just heard from my son and it was in his girlfriends hometown. None of her family was hurt tho-scary stuff. Even when you think everything is fine, there is always that space in your mind that is a bit fearful for your children's well-being. Being a person of faith really helps in that area, can't imagine life without it.

My family doctor told me some time ago that all the AA meetings in the world would not help an addict if the underlying problem is a chemical imbalance in the brain. But how many people really have perfectly balanced brains? Don't you just learn to compensate for it in different ways. The trouble is finding one's way thru all of that, the doctors, the perscriptions, the theories, etc. I think in the end you follow your gut feelings. My mother says as we grow older we just become more of ourselves. She said, "however we are is how we are going to be the rest of our lives, so you had better get used to it."

Just watched the movie, Numb. Very appropriate for this day and age. It is sort of a black comedy with a good ending.

Father's Day Message in a Card

To a father who never gave up on me.
To a father who always saw potential even when I didn't.
To a father who told me I can do whatever I want, just give it 100%.
To a father who always loved my mother.
To you, a man, I will always look up to.
Love, your son

Our son's words inside his dad's Father's Day card. (And yes, I asked his permission before putting it on my blog.)

Life is good.

New comment left on "Notice any moms . . . .

Check out the comment-very informative. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's book, My Stroke of Insight.

Someone comment on something!

It was a very good day!

Talked to my sweet mother today-she said, "Hate the addiction, love our boy." She is absolutely right. Had a good week-making progress. Now we are all trying to get our sense of humor back. Life is so precious, I cannot waste anymore time worrying-it does no one any good. I have to stay in that greatful slice of a place in my mind.

I emailed my son in Tokyo today asking him to post some pictures of him and his brother on my blog. Let's see if he helps me.

My dear friend, who lost her son a few years ago, said to me, "I wasted so much time worrying about his future and how he was going to support himself." Wow, I think of that often.

Check out the movie, Sex and the City, you will get your sense of humor back and be interested in fashion again-take your mom with you if you can!

We are all in this together

This is a request to any mom that may read my blog, please post your comment or reaction to the stuff you read. You may even do it anonymously, I don't care. I just know that each one of us has information that can bring hope and direction, but we will not know about it if you don't say anything.

This blog is also like Las Vegas, what you read and see here stays here! Thanks

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference

The wisdom is the part I struggle with!

response from my college roommate

Well, as the saying goes,"been there, done that". I do not mean to sound so flip about it.

But now, I am starting to see how the parent needs to "stop, and back away". You are not helping, and will never help your child by stepping in, and taking over. The help you are giving, is hurting your child.

Love your child, love your child soo much that you let them suffer their own consequence. Love your son or daughter so much, that if you have to swear out a warrant for their arrest to get them medical help, do it!

When the state trooper put hand cuffs on my son,,, I new I was going to hell and die for hurting him. The look in his eyes.......it left me hating myself, sick in my heart.

After the psych wards, the on and off medications, the year of pure hell for my son, we both still made it through.

Why doesn't anyone every write about, you have done the "right thing".

Where is the "verification, 100%, yes, absolutely you did the right thing", assurance you did the right thing for your child? It will never come.

I am one of the lucky moms. Two years after Ellis went through all the suffering, pain, and humiliation, he was taking care and became responsible for himself.

On my birthday that next year, I received mail from Ellis. He had finished his degree, and was working at Disney World as a culinary chef. The last part of his letter said, "Mom, guess where I'm working? "Magic Kingdom", anyway's, I love you, and want you to know I wouldn't be here without you and your guidance. Thanks for everything, Love You! S.Ellis xxoo

I have been blessed by God for my four beautiful and brilliant sons.

Thank you God for your guidance. Thanks for everything, Love You. sar

NOTICE!

Any moms out there have children that have any mental disorders/addictions? Check out Dr. Daniel Amen. He did a PBS special that is wonderful called Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.
Very valuable information about healing a brain that has been damaged by substance abuse, illness, etc.

JUNE 2, 2008

Hold me in your prayers
I am a mother
Elighten me with wisdom
I am a mother
Fill me with patience
I am a mother
Bless me with faith
I am a mother
Judge me not too harshly
I am a mother
Release the guilt from me
I am a mother
Recognize my unconditional love
I am a mother
Forgive me my wrongs
I am a mother
Most of all---find your way without me
I am your mother