What’s new on my recovery bookshelf?

1. “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” by Dr. Daniel G. Amen. Amen, a neuropsychologist with single photon emission computer tomography brain scans, breaks the brain down into major subsystems like prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, etc. He then explains how problems in each area can cause emotional/psychological problems.

After a brief self-diagnosis checklist in each area, he then goes on to provide a whole list of “prescriptions.” They start with specific types of self-talk, then go to various nutritional ideas, then go to OTC supplements, and conclude with prescription psychiatric medications.

2. “I Can’t Get Over It,” by Aphrodite Matsakis. Matsakis runs a PTSD center for Vietnam vets; the book is subtitled “A Handbook for Trauma Survivors.”

This can be a pretty in-depth, “digging” book at times, sometimes best handled in bite-sized pieces. I say that even as someone who has already done a certain amount of “digging.”