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

I first read this book when it was published in 2003, from cover to cover. I was suffering from major depression due to my caregiving duties and the anti-depressants I had been taking were only slightly affective, and leaving me feeling flat and uncreative. The author, Dr. Servan-Schreiber, who has unfortunately since passed away, addressed how our body stores traumatic experiences and ways of treating those debilitating emotions with affective, ground-breaking treatments in an easy to read book. I remembered reading that he suggested the use of high levels of omega-3 fatty acids to lower depression, but I hadn't really tried it upon my first reading. However, I had taken notes on it. About a year ago, I felt my untreated depression getting out of hand again and I decided to start taking his recommended levels of omega-3's in the form of fish oil pills to see if I could avoid going back to prescription drugs (also, my HDL levels were terrible and my doctor suggested that I take fish oil pills to help raise my levels). I started to see a dramatic reduction in my depressive episodes -- but only after about six months of dedicated usage. Also, my HDL (good cholesterol) improved dramatically and my pain levels were also greatly reduced -- a wonderful added bonus. I was so impressed with how much better I felt, that I decided to buy my own copy of this book to refresh myself on his other methods of dealing with hard emotions. What's funny, though, is that none of the medical professionals I have known ever heard about this omega-3 therapy, or the other therapies mentioned in the book, which is ashame -- Dr. Servan-Schreiber was a very well-respected neuroscientist. Please note: depression can be a very dangerous illness and the above experience was my way of handling my depression. Please seek professional help if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or if your life is becoming unmanageable -- and bring this book with you to the session to show the therapist (page 141 talks about the omega-3 effect on depression).

I tend to be a bit skeptical of self-help books because I have seen so many sloppy "new-age" versions, but this one is definitely on a different plane. Using the workings of the limbic (emotional) brain as his organizing principle, the author covers the therapeutic effects of diverse topics, from acupuncture, exercise, diet, light therapy, enhancing communication skills, and community service, to the lesser known practices of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and cardiac coherence. All of the chapters are very well presented with generous reliance on scientific information and studies, so that even being a skeptic accustomed to picking apart scientific literature, all the approaches struck me as at least worth exploring. Because many of these therapies are inexpensive, take time to explain, and are not capable of being patented, the business and medical establishments tend to underplay them. Many a time I have gone to the doctor for some problem or other, and left with a prescription for a medication that gave me side effects worse than the underlying condition. If this book were taken to heart, many people who go to their internist with symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and pain, would get a prescription to exercise and meditate, instructions on how to eat more beneficially for their brain chemistry, and advice on how to reduce interpersonal conflicts. Even if you're not depressed (I am not and bought the book for someone close to me), it is a fascinating and rewarding read, and suggests many ways (some extremely simple) in which we can enhance the quality of life for ourselves and those around us.

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.

A great book for all those seeking a better understanding of the interaction between mental and physical health. Elegantly written with plenty of research data and references, the author takes us through his understanding of how human neurology & physiology functions best and which are the most effective and integrated strategies for long-term health on all levels. He includes some of his own experiences and sensitively described case histories which make for a fascinating and accessible read.

...because the author does NOT dismiss therapy and medications at all. He supports these methods, always has, but has discovered other methods that have proven to be effective in many ways but are not getting as much attention from the public as they should. I appreciate how thorough this book is, his open mind (but he isnt ridiculously open minded, like talking to the dead) and how often he notes how difficult mental illness is and one method may not work on its own, that other steps may be required. A very interesting read coming from someone who has struggled with clinical depression since her teens.

Hi,This is a wonderful book with a practical approach to dealing with depression. It was a gift, therefore I did not read it through - but it seemed to have structured strategies, without resorting to endless testimonials. Thank you.

Full of fantastic tips and practical ways to manage stress in everyday life. A forgotten art in a world that has become to much, taking care of your heart, body, and soul.

Very inferior print, looks like a photocopy of original book and the quality of these photocopies is 3rd class ....Pls don't buy from this seller