Does Stress Damage the Brain – Understanding Trauma–Related Disorders from a Neurological Perspective - Hardcover

Bremner, J Douglas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0393703452 ISBN 13: 9780393703450

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co., 2002

Synopsis

Can what you see, hear, feel and in other ways experience, result in a permanent change in the structure of your brain and your physiology? This question arose from research discoveries by J. Douglas Bremner and others that showed that extreme stress may result in lasting damage to the brain, especially a part of the brain involved in memory called the hippocampus. The background of this story is addressed in this text, as well as more recent discoveries that led to the current state of trauma-related study. Researchers believe that stress-related brain damage may cause certain psychological disorders, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This text discards the artifical distinctions among mind, brain and body, and considers the effects of psychological trauma on all aspects of bodily function and physiology. The framework that is presented consolidates new and emerging research evidence that stress and PTSD are associated with an increased risk for physical disorders such as heart disease, and that the "trauma spectrum disorders" - a range of psychological disorders related to stress - may be manifestations of stress-induced changes to the brain. Such findings not only explain the overlap in trauma disorders, but also the inadequacy of the current diagnostic classification schema for clinicians. Understanding trauma-related disorders as essentially neurological disorders has implications for treatment. In certain cases,thinking about the effects of stress on the brain may help understand puzzling phenomena, like delayed recall of childhood abuse.

About this title

Review

[...] The benefit of [this book] (perhaps more for clinicians and educated laypersons than for neuroscientists) is in the integration of well-known biological evidence from a 'mind-body' perspective.--Thomas Elbert and Brigitte Rockstroh, Dept. of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Germany A clearly written book on the topic of neurobiology of stress.offers creative solutions to treatment of stress-related disorders.--Jennifer J. Jasterling Never before has the impact of stress and trauma experiences on the functioning and structure of the brain been so clearly and convincingly demonstrated as in this book by J. Douglas Bremner. This book is characterized by clear-headed thinking, careful analysis, and sound research, and also has important implications for the therapeutic management of trauma patients. It will therefore become a historical landmark in the trauma field and is a 'must read' for all clinicians, researchers, and mental health workers.--Johan Vanderlinden, Ph.D., Catholic University of Leuven and University Center St-Jozef, Belgium Posttraumatic stress disorder is among the most common and disabling of all neuropsychiatric disorders. In recent years, research conducted by J. Douglas Bremner has identified substantial effects of psychological stress on brain structure and function. This work has led to a revolution in thinking on how to conceptualize PTSD and, most importantly, to discover new treatment approaches. This book eloquently describes these advances and the clinical implications for all people exposed to severe stress.--Dennis S. Charney, M.D., Director, NIMH Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Program, Bethesda, MD Dr. Bremner has written an exceptionally interesting and useful book. In lieu of focusing on a single avenue of stress-related psychopathology, Dr. Bremner cogently recognizes that trauma spectrum disorders (PTSD, dissociation, depression, anxiety, and borderline personality) share common brain abnormalities and overlapping psychiatric symptoms. The chapters are well written and provide significant information regarding the history, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of stress-related disorders. This is a state-of-the-art work that will serve as an outstanding reference for practitioners and researchers.--Philip A. Saigh, Ph.D., Professor of School Psychology, City University of New York Timely, intelligent and clinically accurate. Bremner clearly describes the hidden knowledge that stress hurts the brain and body. And more-he offers the reader important solutions.--Charles L. Whitfield, M.D., author of The Truth about Depression, and Barbara Whitfield, R.T., author of Final Passage

About the Author

J. Douglas Bremner, M.D., is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology and Director of the Emory Center for Positron Emission Tomography at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and Director of Mental Health Research at the Atlanta VAMC in Decatur, Georgia. He has authored over 150 publications, and written or edited three books, most recently Does Stress Damage the Brain? Understanding Trauma-Related Disorders from a Mind-Body Perspective.

Edition details

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co.
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393703452
• ISBN 13: 9780393703450
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240